It allows you to play ISOs directly off your computer's internal hard drive, by using a standard Mini USB cable. So no need to go out, and buy a external hard drive. Similar Xbox 360 USB ISO Loaders do not have this feature, and are priced a bit higher than the x360dock at the time of me writing this review.

 

• Direct PC HDD USB ISO Loading. The x360dock allows you to play ISO games directly off of your computer's internal hard drive.

• Clean Mode. This feature allows the x360dock to still function, even after Microsoft releases a update to the Xbox 360 console.

• A nice friendly GUI. The GUI is very simple, and easy to use.

• Solderless. No need for any additional tools for installation.

• Compatibility The x360dock works with all Xbox 360′s, except for those with certain disc drives. A compatibility table can be found here.

• AP25 support Games with the AP26 Anti-Piracy measures can play just fine.

• XGD3 support Games in XDG3 Format play just fine.

• Easy Assemble/Disassemble The x360dock can be assembled, and disassembled as many times as wanted to different Xbox 360′s. However in order to use the x360dock, you must have your Xbox 360′s disc drive keys, which are different for every Xbox 360. To obtain the keys, additional hardware is needed.

• Power Reduction The x360dock, makes it so the original disc drive in your Xbox 360 doesn't have to work. By doing so your disc drive's lens isn't as stressed, and the disc drive doesn't have to consume as much power.

• USB 2.0 support The x360dock supports USB 2.0, meaning that you can transfer data faster to the Xbox 360 console.

• DVD/DL/Multigame compatible The x360dock allows you to play games that have multiple discs, as has support for single layer games.

• Full upgradeable by USB/JTAG. The x360dock's firmware can be upgraded via USB cable, or by a JTAG programming cable.

• Drive mode This feature allows you to use your Xbox 360′s original disc drive, in order to play legitimate disc games.

 

Hardware

The x360dock installation process is quite simple. Just open up your Xbox 360, exposing the bare motherboard. Disconnect your disc drive from the Xbox 360, connect the sata and power cables to the x360dock, connect the disc drive to the x360dock using the cables provided with the x360dock. (Assuming you already have your drive keys, which are required. You need key.bin, and inquiry.bin. Multiple methods can be found with a quick Google search on how to do so.) Then slide the ribbon cable into the x360dock's clip labeled USB, make sure it's securely locked into place afterwards slide the slip through the spacing beside the Xbox 360′s AV cable port. Carefully proceed to close up your Xbox 360, making sure not to catch the ribbon cable on anything. Now, take the end of the ribbon cable sticking out of the spacing beside the AV cable port, and connect it to the clip on the USB dongle included. Plug the USB Dongle into your Xbox 360′s back USB port, and connect it you your PC by plugging in the Mini USB cable. Now, boot up the Xbox 360 while the USB Dongle is connected to your PC. Windows should prompt you for a driver for it, guide Windows to the driver, and it should install successfully. Once done, take your Xbox 360 Drive keys and put them in the same directory as the x360dock program.(Which you can download from the x360dock site, as well as the latest firmware and drivers.) Click the button labeled "Set Up", and choose what Xbox 360 you are using. After that, you may click "Open ISO" which will prompt you to choose a ISO from your computer to play, or you may click "Open ISO with Reboot" which will prompt you to select a ISO from your computer, and once selected it'll reboot the Xbox 360 and then proceeds to load the ISO. Overall the installation process took me 25 minutes, but even if you're new to the Xbox 360 scene, it should only take you about 45 minutes to install the x360dock. The following pictures are of my quick installation of the x360dock, as well as a few pictures of the board itself.

 

 

Software

The x360dock software is extremely novice friendly, it allows the user to select a ISO to boot, and how it is to boot. Here are the options.

 

Set Up Allows you to choose what Xbox 360 console you are currently using with the x360dock.

 

 

 

Open ISO Allows the user to select a ISO from their computer for the x360dock to load.

 

Open ISO With Reboot Allows the user to select a ISO from their computer, and reboots the Xbox 360 and proceeds to load the ISO.

 

Drive Mode Allows the user to use the Xbox 360′s original disc drive to play discs.

 

 

 

Performance, and Compatibility

 

Xbox 360

 

Dead Island

Driver: San Franscisco

Sonic Generations

Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi

Batman: Arkham City

X-Men: Destiny

Dead Rising 2: Off The Records

Battlefield 3

Rise Of Nightmares

Gears Of War 3

Halo 3

Call Of Duty: Black Ops

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Catherine

Alice: Madness Returns

 

From the selection of games I've tried above, 100% of the games worked perfectly.. Regardless of whether, or not the game had anti piracy measures such as AP25, or is in XDG3 format. The x360dock doesn't support Homebrew, only Microsoft signed games. If you were to edit a ISO, it will not boot on the Xbox 360.

 

Original Xbox

 

Shenmue 2

Halo: Combat Evolved

Fight Night: Round 2

Halo 2

Just Cause

 

None of the original Xbox games I tested booted. The disc drive blade just sticks at the "Reading" screen. No ISOs were able to boot, but I've gotten word from the x360dock team, that Xbox original games will be supported in a later update. The x360dock doesn't support Homebrew, only Microsoft signed games. If you were to edit a ISO, it will not boot on the Xbox 360.

 

Conclusion

 

If I had to rate the x360dock, I'd give it a 9, out of 10. There's only a few minor issues that prevent it from getting a 10, first off is the x360dock board itself. The board could use a case, wouldn't want to short circuit if something metal were to hit it while it was in your Xbox 360. It would also look a bit nicer, not that you'd be seeing it that often. The USB dongle feels a bit cheap, as I've mentioned before, and the position of the clip inside it makes it a bit difficult to snap down to secure the ribbon cable in place. Other than those two issues, the x360dock is a wonderful USB Loader that has some very nice functions, and a great price in comparison to the other Xbox 360 USB Loaders.