CONSOLE NEWS: Microsoft ships Xbox 360 beta kits

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According to a report, Microsoft has finally shipped the XBox 360 Beta Kits this week to game developers, replacing the Apple PowerMac G5 based systems which were used to demonstrate games at E3 in May. Microsoft received some criticism after E3 for showcasing its titles on hardware which, it claimed, only represented 25 to 30 per cent of the power of the final Xbox 360. However, it would appear that this situation has now been rectified - although Microsoft's Beta kits still aren't up to full speed, according to developers who spoke to GamesIndustry.biz this morning, telling us that full speed "Final" development kits probably aren't expected to ship for another few months.