Prices and pre-orders announced for the Xbox 360 Slim

Pre-orders for the forthcoming Microsoft Xbox 360 250GB "Slim" have now opened after the console was announced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2010 earlier this week.

Boasting a brand new, sleeker, black gloss design the new Xbox 360 features a 250GB hard drive and built-in 802.11nn WiFi to allow you to hook up to your home broadband connection and make the most of its online gaming and entertainment features. Previously, Microsoft Xbox 360 users had to buy a separate Xbox wireless network adapter if they wanted to get online wirelessly.

Looking around the UK high street, GAME was quick on the mark to offer this model on pre-order, charging £199.99 when it's released on 16 July 2010.

The good news is the forthcoming console (officially named Xbox 360 250GB) will be backwards compatible, so any older controllers and accessories will be able to be hooked up to this new device. It also now includes a total of 5 ports (3 on the back and 2 on the front) so users have more places to plug and play their accessories. Additionally, the refreshed model also includes an integrated optical audio out port as well as the standard HDMI output, making it far easier to hook up to an A/V receiver.

For more information on the broadband compatibility of gaming consoles you can check out our useful help guide.