The chunky black original Xbox might not have been the most aesthetically pleasing thing to put in your front room, but with 20m sold worldwide, Microsoft's machine has truly earned a place in today's entertainment culture.

The new Xbox 360 is an altogether sexier beast. Its Stormtrooper-white visage (the colour is called "chill") and streamlined design give it a much more desirable and futuristic appearance.

The system's 20GB hard drive equals the storage of a typical iPod, and is removable so that you can take it to a friend's house. It has cable-free controllers, wireless internet, and can play music and DVDs, ready to become the hub of digital entertainment in the home.

The console also embraces the era of high-definition television, with all its games supporting greater resolutions and impressive levels of realism. The basketball players shooting hoops in one game show off the incredibly realistic graphics; the rendering of the skin and movement of the players makes it almost like watching a movie.

But it is the needs of the video gamer, whether casual player or addict, that are at the forefront of the 360's design.

The console is easy to personalise, from the ability to choose your own soundtrack when playing all games, to clip-on panels so you can change the look of the case.

The internet, too, will form a crucial part of the 360's future. When you switch on the machine, you are presented with a "dashboard" with options for home, media, games and everything you have downloaded. You can also see whether your friends are online.

Users will be able to take advantage of video and voice messaging, and buy content through an online marketplace. Microsoft is also dedicated to attracting more players to its Xbox Live broadband service by allowing gamers much more freedom in managing their friends lists, profiles and preferences.

While the first Xbox aimed at the core gaming market, the 360 looks to bring casual and family gamers into the ever-expanding Microsoft fold.