Rechargable AA batteries don't suck any more. Read up on them: http://www.eneloop.info/home.html

I've replaced all my home batteries with Eneloop which last just as long as regular batteries and recharge fast. The keep their charge for years so I always have fully charged long lasting batteries for everything in my life.

Windows 8 running on the next box I only see good.  The fact that Indies can skip the whole 10 grand cert process, the publisher model and all of tha that clunky crap that got in the way of them creating games for the 360 is gone.  They can make their games, and updated them without having to sell a liver.  Just because the Windows store is short on apps now will probably change pretty quickly once Developers head to that gold mine.

Windows 8 Kernel is very stable.  Tested and approved for true multi-tasking which should make moving around the next Xbox UI to other stuff way better than the 360, and faster.  

I actually like the batteries for my 360 controller over how the dualshock has it internal.  I always have rechargeable batteries charging so when my 360 controller starts to flash, no hooking it up to the box just swap the batteries.  On the Dual shock when it needs charging, I have to plug it in and since my cable is pretty short, most times I have to remember to charge it after I am finishing playing or have to wait 15 mins to get a decent charge to continue to play.

As to why MS would release a Mini and also have the Durango with the SOC inside is that the Mini is just a 360 without a disk and the plans to having it connected to the Durango unit was scrapped in favor of supplying Durango with BC.  In other words, MS decided (only if rumor is true disclaimer) that BC would be a competitive advantage and its worth the cost of putting it in the Durango unit.  I would agree this would be a clear competitive advantage and probably will allow MS to keep a good chunk of Xbox gamers.  The Mini probably will be sold and marketed as competition to the Apple TV, Google and Samsung devices.  As the rumor noted, this device is being made by a totally different team so their priorities are probably different.

As far as complexity of having the 360 SOC and Durango current setup.  yes, that does appear to be something MS will need to address but then again, MS has a API layer and if the SOC is treated as any other GPU then the complexity will not be that great.  It really will depend on exactly how this SOC can be used with native next box games.  If Developers can purpose the chip any way they please well, it could be very interesting how games shape up on the device.

I buy my batteries from ALDI!

I had a couple of play/charge kits, that lasted from 2006 til 2009 - and were constantly used (I had a lot of Pro Evo/poker nights before I had a kid!) - but when it came time to replace them - I just used the AA rechargeables I used for my KB/Mouse/Remote Controls. I figured I had enough AA's to go around, and was happy I didn't have to run out and buy some proprietary or self install stuff. I'm glad that it was my choice though - and not forced upon me.

While the low-leakage rate of the eneloop batteries are nice, they don't compare to the 3000mAH capacity of top-end NiMH AA batteries.  They have a better recharge life than eneloop XX batteries, and a higher capacity.

Jadedx said:

LOL, vgleaks is not 100% correct, as a matter of fact I dont believe their leak will be anything like the final xbox 720, that was an old concept from feb 2012.

I like Windows 8, I'm using it right now. But for gaming, I just don't see how it helps in any way. How does it even help with multi-media? Windows is a memory hog and its the biggest issue with PC gaming IMO.

The DS3 charge last a long time. So unless you have marathon gaming sessions this shouldn't be a problem. I go days without ever charing my control. If I forget, I have others. Rechargable batteries are great if that's what MSFT bundles in.

Backwards compatiblity may make some gamers happy, but it doesn't give them a competitive advantage. Look at the Wii U. That can play al Wii games yet its still selling horribly. That is because people want to play Wii U games on their Wii U. 

The 360 SOC being used alongside the Durango APU is the hardest thing to believe. It's like the complete opposite of what Sony is doing which is a developer-friendly PS4. There's also the obvious price increase this will bring. $50-$100. IMO, this gets them a competivie disadvantage from many angles. Hard to believe.

I like Windows 8, I'm using it right now. But for gaming, I just don't see how it helps in any way. How does it even help with multi-media? Windows is a memory hog and its the biggest issue with PC gaming IMO.

I like Windows 8, I'm using it right now. But for gaming, I just don't see how it helps in any way. How does it even help with multi-media? Windows is a memory hog and its the biggest issue with PC gaming IMO.

The DS3 charge last a long time. So unless you have marathon gaming sessions this shouldn't be a problem. I go days without ever charing my control. If I forget, I have others. Rechargable batteries are great if that's what MSFT bundles in.

Backwards compatiblity may make some gamers happy, but it doesn't give them a competitive advantage. Look at the Wii U. That can play al Wii games yet its still selling horribly. That is because people want to play Wii U games on their Wii U. 

The 360 SOC being used alongside the Durango APU is the hardest thing to believe. It's like the complete opposite of what Sony is doing which is a developer-friendly PS4. There's also the obvious price increase this will bring. $50-$100. IMO, this gets them a competivie disadvantage from many angles. Hard to believe.