The two pieces of hardware are virtually identical, as asalamon74 points out. There are only a few hardware differences, with a larger set of restrictions based on firmware. To extend on what asalamon74 has already pointed out, here are some direct answers to your bullet points: - Connectivity for both devices are USB. If you get a Kinect for Xbox as part of a bundle (i.e., which an Xbox 360) you will need to buy an adapter, [available from Amazon][1] and others. - Hardware is virtually the same. Kinect for Windows has a shorter USB cable. Kinect for Windows may have a better microphone array, but I can't be sure of that. Other then that, they are basically the same. - API is the same for both devices. Both the official [Kinect for Windows SDK][2] and the [OpenKinect SDK][3] will work with both devices. - License allows you to use the Kinect for Xbox for anything except a deployed (commercial) application. I use both for development. I have two Kinect for *Windows* that I use at work and I have a Kinect for *Xbox* at home. I bring work home with me frequently and I'm able to develop with either version of the hardware, depending on where I am. [1]: http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Kinect-Adapter-Power-Supply/dp/B004IXRXGY [2]: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/kinectforwindows/ [3]: http://openkinect.org/wiki/Main_Page