"Microsoft Corp.'s new Xbox 360 video game console remained sold out at some major Web retailers on Tuesday and one analyst said he expected holiday shipments at the lower end of his previous forecast.

Amazon.com Inc. showed the Xbox 360 as unavailable in all configurations, except for a single machine on offer by a partner for $1,299.99. The premium Xbox package debuted in November in the United States for $400.

Retailer Best Buy Co. Inc. on its Web site said it would not accept backorders "because the Xbox 360 gaming console is available only in extremely limited quantities nationwide."

Online auction site eBay Inc. showed a number of premium Xboxes priced at around $600 each or more in late bidding.

Microsoft spokeswoman Molly O'Donnell said the company is firmly on track to hit its 90-day target, but declined to give a forecast for sales through the December holidays.

American Technology Research analyst Paul-Jon McNealy said in a research note that Microsoft Corp. would be challenged to ship 1.5 million to 1.8 million Xbox 360s worldwide by the end of December.

McNealy now expects shipments to be at the lower end of his target range." [more]