Kit History Black background friendly will not work with white background Spoiler ------------------------ Prototypes: Version 1: White case, No Sidecar, Gigabit Ethernet mounted through HDD shell, and inverted LED's Spoiler Version 2: White case, Black sidecar (appears dark blue in some lights), Gigabit Ethernet, and inverted LED's Spoiler Version 3: White case, Chrome XNA branded sidecar (always branded), Gigabit Ethernet, and inverted LED's -They were to test the Gigabit Ethernet (later cut probably due to cost) and other features of the Finial XNAs, in addition during this time Microsoft didn't have the design of the case Spoiler ------------------------ 2009 XNA kits (Version 4): 2009 prototype kits, had all the same exterior stuff, but they had a prototype jasper board and they had cool stickers. They were practically beta 3's with the new cool XNA blue design case. -The Gigabit Ethernet port was taped on the back, to give a better representation of the final XNA the devs would get. -Always has XNA logo/decals on sidecar and sometimes on the faceplate (for expos to promote their XNA program) Spoiler Faceplate: Spoiler Sidecar: (cut due to 20 image limit, visit http://xnaclub.boards.net/thread/15/xna-history for full thread) Taped Gigabit Ethernet ports at GDC 2009 Spoiler (second image cut due to 20 image limit, visit http://xnaclub.boards.net/thread/15/xna-history for full thread) You can see the green led in this picture that the Gigabit Ethernet board produces (sorry for bad quality) : (cut due to 20 image limit, visit http://xnaclub.boards.net/thread/15/xna-history for full thread) Another difference between the Expo 09 and Expo 10 kits would be the kit information sticker having more info on the 10. ------------------------ GDC XNA development kit (GDC EXPO, or EXPO): -Blue ring of light -Full development kit -Blue chrome on sidecar and on the dvd/eject bezel -Always has XNA decals on the sidecar and sometimes on the faceplate (to promote their XNA program at expos) XNA Dev Expo with Expo faceplate: Spoiler XNA Dev Expo without Expo faceplate: Spoiler ------------------------ GDC XNA test kit (GDC EXPO test kit, or EXPO test kit): -Green ring of light -Test kit -Greenish chrome on sidecar and on the dvd/eject bezel -Always has XNA decals on the sidecar and sometimes on the faceplate (to promote their XNA program at expos) XNA Test Expo with Expo faceplate: Spoiler XNA Test Expo without Expo faceplate: Spoiler ------------------------ XNA Final kit (development) - sent to developers: -Blue ring of light -Blue chrome on sidecar and on the dvd/eject bezel -Never had XNA logos on sidecar and on the faceplate Spoiler ------------------------ XNA Final kit (test) - sent to developers: -Green ring of light -Test kit -Greenish chrome on sidecar and on the dvd/eject bezel -Never had XNA logos on sidecar and on faceplate (Better images here) Spoiler ------------------------ More information: -2009 prototype kits to XNA final kits all came in the dark blue case with the xshell lines there were NO BLACK CASES -The extra 512mb of RAM was never stored on the sidecar, it is always under the board. -The gigabit board produces a green LED towards the back of the console (the light can be seen in one of the pictures at the GDC 2009 prototype section) The gigabit board can also produce a yellow LED for unknown reasons. Spoiler http://www.assemblergames.com/forum...nt-Kit&p=563872&viewfull=1#post563872 http://www.assemblergames.com/forum...nt-Kit&p=563732&viewfull=1#post563732 -Jasper was the only motherboard used in an XNA kit (not gonna lie I saw someone say one was a falcon...) Spoiler -GDC stands for game development convention -(2011-2012 around when XNA program ended, is when EXPOS were being repurposed) Some expo kits would be sent to devs with the XNA faceplate removed that said ‘XNA’ and they would give it the normal XNA faceplate with no branding, but the sidecar will still have the branding. -XNA Sidecar (besides the prototype versions 1,2,3 and 4 which had the gigabit Ethernet port) only have DVD emulation (pix is there, but it is covered) Image of XeDK's console; someone modified the sidecar to expose the pix port. *The USB-SPI Flasher in the below image was custom added, they are not on the sidecars* Spoiler -The info sticker is on all XNA types (different on prototypes they had a sticker that usually said "Not For Sale Beta Only JADK EV2", usually located on the lower right front of the kit). You will find some kits without the sticker, that is because: *Hardware dev takes sticker off before shipping console(s) to game developer(s). *Game Developer(s) removes it. *Person in scene removed sticker -Applies to all XDKs, depending on your development type that being a dev or a test, the background in xshell will be different (use a recent recovery) Test kits having a grey background Dev kits having a blue background if you edit the xlaunch.fdf file you will see "bg image test" and "bg image dev" -GDC kits came out in 2009, so it's possible that the other prototypes came out in 2008. I mentioned earlier, that GDC kit's are just version 3 prototypes with the new design case, I'm guessing they waited until 2009 to show it off at the 2009 GDC expo. Here is a video showcasing/discussing the XNA dev kit; Video created by Drahcir. Here is a video showcasing/discussing the XNA test kit; Video created by Drahcir. XNA EXPO Dev and Test Side By Side: If any of you have anymore information about XNA kits that I did not list, please PM me, thanks.
Awesome guide, didn't realize there was quite so much variation. Im curious though, I know that certain ones were used at Expos and whatever. Were they ever used for anything (officially) outside of that? In otherwords, should we consider it "GDC Era" or simply "Used at GDC?" Any dates available on more of these? Any major advantages over a Slim XDK other than usually looking cool?
Your post was caught by the spam system. You might find your posts don't show up straight away. If that happens, just sit tight and a moderator will get round to approving your posts. If they notice ;-) Thanks for the comparisons! Borman - I approved your post, too lol. Slightly overzealous spam system! ;-)
Thanks, Borman! 1) Good question, in my opinion I think it is "simply used at GDC". I'll get some manufacturing dates for you in a litte, cause XNAs would be at conventions from 2009 - 2011; but in 2012 - late 2011 when XNA ended I would think they stopped putting XNA logos on all together. That is why many if not all (besides proto XNAs) XNA expos kits have the mfr year 2010. 2) No real difference besides the obvious.
Think something happened to it cause it was up just fine earlier today... Maybe an admin can see if they can fix it somehow?
Every time the OP edits the post, it'll get moderated as it has links. Solution - don't edit it until you have more posts
update: ported most from the information from XNA club but i had to remove some images due to 20 image limit