The Original Xbox

The original Xbox, released by Microsoft in 2001, was powered by a custom 733 MHz Intel Pentium III processor and featured NVIDIA's NV2A GPU running at 233 MHz. The system came equipped with 64 MB of unified DDR SDRAM, which was quite substantial for its time and helped set it apart from competitors. A distinctive feature was its inclusion of an internal 8 or 10 GB hard drive, making it the first mainstream console to include one as standard. This allowed for game saves, downloadable content, and the ability to rip music CDs for custom soundtracks in games. The console's design was notable for its large, black casing with a prominent X and green accent, weighing approximately 8.5 pounds. It featured four controller ports built into the front, along with a DVD tray. The standard controller, nicknamed "The Duke," was initially criticized for its large size but later became iconic among fans. For connectivity, the Xbox included an ethernet port for online gaming through Xbox Live, composite AV outputs, and an optional HDTV connector for higher resolution display. The system could output games at 480p, 720p, and 1080i resolutions, making it one of the first consoles to support HD gaming.

The Microsoft Xbox is a sixth generation (1998–2013) home video game console developed and distributed by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America at a retail price of £299.99. The console was later released in Europe (2002), Japan (2002), and Australia (2002). The Xbox was the first game console to have a built in hard disk. The console was discontinued on March 2, 2009.