Microsoft Xbox

Having conquered the PC market with Windows, Microsoft boss Bill Gates is hoping for similar success with games consoles.

• Key features:
  
• Internal hard drive
  
• DVD drive for movies and games
  
• Powerful 733mhz processor
  
• Ethernet port for online connection
  
• The console on its own can be bought for £100

His company launched the PC-based Xbox in America on 15 November 2001.

It went on sale in Europe on 14 March 2002.

By the end of June that year, Microsoft had sold nearly four million consoles.

Online gaming, Xbox Live, was launched in the US on 15 November 2002. It launched in Japan on 16 January and in Europe on 14 March 2003.