I've been looking forward to seeing what Kinect bundles were coming, and I figured out that I didn't actually need a big HDD for the 360 when the new Arcade came around, seeing as I mostly wanted the HDD to install games and get rid of the noise from the disc drive. The 4 GB in the Arcade should last me a while, and I can just take a USB pen if it's not enough.

So, how loud is the new disc drive? Can anyone compare to the PS3 perhaps? Would installing games make a big difference in noise level?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLzcl-HzgY4

Well, that answers that pretty nicely. Now I just have to find a PS3 Slim so I can find out just how loud it actually is.

Why don't you just have it service you from another room. Sort of like a servant who must never be seen and yet always in ear shot.

if you install games there is virtually no noise.  You can barely here the cooling fans running.  The drive itself is much quieter than the older model but you can here it when it is accessing information.

My arcade is pretty quite withe the occasional disc spinning sounds. 4GB is enough if you don't want download DLC.

My only other room is my bathroom...

Service in the bathroom wouldn't be half bad though.

Anyway, I figure there is no point installing games to get rid of the noise now, it's not very noisy to begin with anymore.

I am amazed how quiet it is.  The PS3 is really quiet and the new 360 is even more quiet.