Development Kit
 An XDK-GB with branded Type 2 Sidecar | |
| Type | Development Console |
|---|---|
| Generation | Seventh |
| Introduced | Late 2005 |
A Development Kit, also known as an XDK, is a version of the Xbox 360 console designed for developing games and content for the system. They have full development bootloaders which allows game developers full access to the console's memory for remote debugging.
Xbox 360 Development Console
The Xbox 360 Development Console, or XDK, has a dark gray/charcoal case with a lighter gray Type 1 Sidecar. Due to the current and ongoing cost of hardware development for the Xbox 360, Microsoft employed cost-cutting measures that affected the Partner Program units. One of which involved reusing older parts, such as the use of prototype Type 1 Sidecars or similar components from earlier development phases, seen on March 2006 XDKs. Another key cost-cutting venture was the refurbishment of bonepile and prototype hardware for reuse in the Partner Program, this practice commonly took place in 2008 and 2010. For example: in 2008 Fab J, the PCB used in both configurations of refresh 3 betas, was commonly refurbished with 3.2GHz fused Waternoose CPUs, if applicable.
| Introduced | Late 2005 |
|---|---|
| Motherboard | Xenon, later Zephyr, Jasper, and Tonasket |
| RAM | 512MB |
| Storage | 80GB, later 120GB Hard Drive |
| Sidecar | Type 1 |
| Color | Console: Dark gray/charcoal Sidecar: Light gray |
Xbox 360-GB Development Console
The Xbox 360-GB Development Console, or XDK-GB, has a deep purple case, a chrome blue Sidecar, and matching chrome blue DVD bezels. The RF Board was also revised with Blue LEDs. They were publicly previewed at GDC 2009 alongside the reveal of updates to XNA Game Studio. It comes in 3 variants.
| Introduced | Early 2010 |
|---|---|
| Motherboard | Jasper Advanced |
| RAM | 1GB in 2 512MB pools |
| Storage | 120GB Hard Drive |
| Sidecar | Type 2 |
| Color | Console: Deep purple Sidecar: Chrome blue |
Variant 1
These units were released in Early 2010 and are commonly referred to as "EXPO" units. They came with an XNA branded Faceplate and an XNA tribal branded Sidecar.
- Known ConfigIDs
- XDK-GB-1
- Jasper XDK-PV-1
Variant 2
These units were released in Mid 2010 and were equipped with a standard non-branded faceplate. They retained the XNA branded Sidecar.
- Known ConfigIDs
- AK1-00077 PV-1
Variant 3
These units were released in Mid to Late 2010 and had no branding on the faceplate or Sidecar.
- Known ConfigIDs
- AK1-00077 PV-1
Xbox 360 S Development Console
The Xbox 360 S Development Console, or XDK S, redesigned the kit around the Xbox 360 S, which significantly reduced its price and size. It also includes a redesigned Type 3 Sidecar.
When the Sidecar is not attached, the console operates as a Test Kit.
| Introduced | Late 2010 |
|---|---|
| Motherboard | Trinity, later Corona |
| RAM | 1GB in 2 512MB pools |
| Storage | 250GB Hard Drive |
| Sidecar | Type 3 |
| Color | Console: Matte black |