What happens when you get it wrong?           

                                                     
Source www.warrantyweek.com

Xbox 360 – A design flaw?

When a product is launched a design flaw can bring a business to its knees, or worse.  Ask yourself -  can you afford the risk?

Microsoft fortunately can.  The flaw in the Xbox 360 will cost them billions in terms of warranty protection over the next three years. 

In a press release Microsoft stated:  July 2007 “As a result of what Microsoft views as an unacceptable number of repairs to Xbox 360 consoles, the Company conducted extensive investigations into potential sources of general hardware failures.  Having identified a number of factors which can cause general failures indicated by three red flashing lights on the console Microsoft has made improvements to the console and is enhancing its Xbox 360 warranty policy for existing and new customers. ………Microsoft will repair or replace any Xbox console that experiences the “three red lights error” within three years from the time of purchase free of charge including shipping.

Even if Microsoft did, as alleged , (Report Reuters 12/05) sell defectively designed products in a bid to beat rivals to market, it’s a very expensive mistake and one I am sure no-one other than Microsoft could afford.  

Question – Do you think it would have made it to market if an independent company had tested it and if it did – do you think Microsoft would be taking the hit now?

© FASC Ltd 2008