The Xbox 360 that exists in 2013 bears little resemblance to the console that Microsoft launched in 2005. It’s so different, in fact, that it helps to think of the company’s new Xbox One as an evolution, not of the original Xbox 360 but of the one that exists today. Over that eight-year span, the Xbox 360 underwent radical transformations. In 2008, the "New Xbox Experience" delivered an entirely new interface, customizable player Avatars, eight-player party chat and Netflix streaming, a first for video game consoles. In 2010, the first iteration of Kinect and the platform’s voice and gesture controls redefined the 360 once again.
That focus on entertainment never diminished the Xbox 360's gaming bona fides, however. Between first-party exclusives like Halo, third-party console exclusives like Left 4 Dead and timed exclusives like The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, the Xbox 360 never wanted for games. The Xbox Live Arcade program made games like Castle Crashers, Braid and Limbo into household names. Despite its investment in entertainment, the Xbox 360 was always a video game console. But there was a sense that the Xbox 360's greater aspirations as a mainstream portal for entertainment were restrained by hardware created before our current age of streaming video, tablets and smartphones.
So when examining the Xbox One, it may seem familiar. This is what Microsoft has been working toward all these years, effectively showing its next-generation hand as early as 2008. While the Xbox 360 was upgraded, the Xbox One was developed in parallel, but as a beginning, not an end. And despite its familiar elements and concepts, the Xbox One still manages a genuine sense of wonder, all without losing sight of the strong gaming foundation the Xbox was built on.
XBOX ONE SPECS
After Microsoft revealed it was using semi-custom AMD Accelerated Processing Units (APUs) for the Xbox One, Games consoles have never looked closer to desktop PCs in terms of hardware. The two quad-core Jaguar processor modules in the Xbox One, which each run at 1.75GHz and are paired with 8GB of DDR3 memory, should be significantly easier to program for than the PowerPC-based CPU used in the Xbox 360.
Sony has taken a similar approach, also opting for an eight-core Jaguar APU and 8GB of RAM for the PS4, but both companies have made their own adjustments to AMD's reference design and taken wildly different approaches to graphics memory. The Xbox One relies on 32MB of fast-access ESRAM to quickly buffer textures into the slower DDR3 memory, which according to developers is more complex to program than the PS4's faster GDDR5 RAM.
This has led to an ongoing resolution and quality disparity between the two consoles in most multiplatform games. In general the PS4 runs game at a Full HD 1,920x1,080 resolution, while the Xbox One uses a slightly less detailed 1,600x900 resolution. It's not a dramatic difference, but the fussy will be able to notice it.
The slot-loading Blu-ray optical drive allows developers to use bigger textures, increasing detail in games without needing to ship multiple discs. However, games aren't read directly from the disc; they must be installed to the 500GB internal hard disk; and with retail games approaching 50GB in size, it won't be long until that disk is filled.
While the PS4's hard disk can be swapped out by you at home, getting to the Xbox One's disc isn't for the faint-hearted. However, by plugging in a USB hard disk with 256GB or more space you can expand the internal storage with ease. Note that the Xbox formats the disc, so you can't continue using it as external storage for a PC.
The Xbox One automatically saves your game progress to both the console and to the cloud, so you can access your saves from other consoles. You can do this without Xbox Live Gold, unlike on PS4 which requires PlayStation Plus.
Sony has taken a similar approach, also opting for an eight-core Jaguar APU and 8GB of RAM for the PS4, but both companies have made their own adjustments to AMD's reference design and taken wildly different approaches to graphics memory. The Xbox One relies on 32MB of fast-access ESRAM to quickly buffer textures into the slower DDR3 memory, which according to developers is more complex to program than the PS4's faster GDDR5 RAM.
This has led to an ongoing resolution and quality disparity between the two consoles in most multiplatform games. In general the PS4 runs game at a Full HD 1,920x1,080 resolution, while the Xbox One uses a slightly less detailed 1,600x900 resolution. It's not a dramatic difference, but the fussy will be able to notice it.
The slot-loading Blu-ray optical drive allows developers to use bigger textures, increasing detail in games without needing to ship multiple discs. However, games aren't read directly from the disc; they must be installed to the 500GB internal hard disk; and with retail games approaching 50GB in size, it won't be long until that disk is filled.
While the PS4's hard disk can be swapped out by you at home, getting to the Xbox One's disc isn't for the faint-hearted. However, by plugging in a USB hard disk with 256GB or more space you can expand the internal storage with ease. Note that the Xbox formats the disc, so you can't continue using it as external storage for a PC.
The Xbox One automatically saves your game progress to both the console and to the cloud, so you can access your saves from other consoles. You can do this without Xbox Live Gold, unlike on PS4 which requires PlayStation Plus.
Design
The first thing you'll notice about the console when you get it out of the needlessly elaborate packaging is what an absolute beast it is. It measures 274 x 79 x 333 mm, making it longer and taller than a PlayStation 4 or an Xbox 360. You don't need a tape measure to figure that out though, the thing just looks huge and it's not exactly a looker, either.
Its size and girth harkens back to the original Xbox, an imposing black plastic beast covered in black plastic ridges. Microsoft seems to be throwing back to that design, bringing back the all black and the ridge-covered aesthetic.
It's massive size and black rectangular construction evoke a stereo tuner from the nineties. Its imposing bulk begs to be hidden away, with just its slot loading disc drive exposed, little white Xbox logo glowing in lonely TV cabinet darkness.
Flip the machine around and you'll see a plethora of ports. It has all your standard nodes: ethernet, HDMI out, power, S/PDIF (commonly used for optical audio), dual USB 3.0 ports and an IR out.
Additionally, there are two proprietary ports, one for hooking in the Kinect, and an HDMI-in, which is how you feed the Xbox One a TV signal from a set-top box. There's also a third USB 3.0 port found on the system's right side.
Flip the machine around and you'll see a plethora of ports. It has all your standard nodes: ethernet, HDMI out, power, S/PDIF (commonly used for optical audio), dual USB 3.0 ports and an IR out.
Additionally, there are two proprietary ports, one for hooking in the Kinect, and an HDMI-in, which is how you feed the Xbox One a TV signal from a set-top box. There's also a third USB 3.0 port found on the system's right side.
XBOX ONE CONTROLLER
The Xbox 360 controller was widely regarded as one of the best controllers ever made, so Microsoft didn't been change the formula too drastically for the Xbox One. The controller has the same offset analogue stick layout, four face buttons, two triggers and two shoulder buttons, but the start and select buttons have been replaced with menu and multi-tasking buttons respectively.
Despite being similar to its predecessor, numerous little changes make a world of difference. The new four-way directional pad is much more precise than the 8-way 360 D-pad, which was arguably its weakest feature. Individual rumble motors in the new 'impulse triggers' add force feedback directly to your fingers. A smaller dead zone and greater resistance to movement make the analogue sticks feel incredibly responsive.
The battery compartment is now recessed within the controller, rather than protruding outwards as it was with the Xbox 360. Microsoft has opted for AA batteries rather than a built-in rechargeable pack, and these can't be charged via the micro USB port so you'll want to buy the optional Play-and-Charge battery pack to avoid constantly buying replacements. The Xbox Dashboard now shows you how much battery power you have left in the player one controller - unfortunately additional icons aren't added as subsequent controllers are paired with the console.
The original controller required an optional headset adaptor if you wanted to plug headphones directly into the controller. Unlike the PS4, which has a standard 3.5mm audio jack that will work with just about any wired headset. The adaptor had its upsides, with controls to mute the microphone and adjust the volume, but I'm glad to see the rejigged controller has a straightforward 3.5mm jack. PC gamers can plug the Xbox One controller into their computer via the supplied USB cable and use Microsoft's official drivers to play PC titles as well.
Overall, the controller feels superior in almost every way, which is a major achievement given the 360 pad's pedigree. I narrowly prefer the Xbox One's controls, but the PS4 controller levels things up with its more convenient built-in battery.
The Xbox 360 controller was widely regarded as one of the best controllers ever made, so Microsoft didn't been change the formula too drastically for the Xbox One. The controller has the same offset analogue stick layout, four face buttons, two triggers and two shoulder buttons, but the start and select buttons have been replaced with menu and multi-tasking buttons respectively.
Despite being similar to its predecessor, numerous little changes make a world of difference. The new four-way directional pad is much more precise than the 8-way 360 D-pad, which was arguably its weakest feature. Individual rumble motors in the new 'impulse triggers' add force feedback directly to your fingers. A smaller dead zone and greater resistance to movement make the analogue sticks feel incredibly responsive.
The battery compartment is now recessed within the controller, rather than protruding outwards as it was with the Xbox 360. Microsoft has opted for AA batteries rather than a built-in rechargeable pack, and these can't be charged via the micro USB port so you'll want to buy the optional Play-and-Charge battery pack to avoid constantly buying replacements. The Xbox Dashboard now shows you how much battery power you have left in the player one controller - unfortunately additional icons aren't added as subsequent controllers are paired with the console.
The original controller required an optional headset adaptor if you wanted to plug headphones directly into the controller. Unlike the PS4, which has a standard 3.5mm audio jack that will work with just about any wired headset. The adaptor had its upsides, with controls to mute the microphone and adjust the volume, but I'm glad to see the rejigged controller has a straightforward 3.5mm jack. PC gamers can plug the Xbox One controller into their computer via the supplied USB cable and use Microsoft's official drivers to play PC titles as well.
Overall, the controller feels superior in almost every way, which is a major achievement given the 360 pad's pedigree. I narrowly prefer the Xbox One's controls, but the PS4 controller levels things up with its more convenient built-in battery.
Setup
Xbox One setup is more involved than on the PS4, but it's still not terribly complex. Along with power and HDMI, you'll also have to connect the Kinect through its proprietary cable.
If you plan to watch TV on the console, you'll do so with an HDMI cable, through the system's HDMI-in port. You'll then need to run the OneGuide's setup, which isn't too complex.
When you first switch the system on you'll be met with a setup wizard which will get you connected to the internet for that day one patch. It's around 2GB, and absolutely required before you can even get to the Home screen. There's been quite a few firmware updates since launch, too, so expect your first patch to take a while depending on your internet speed.
Xbox One setup is more involved than on the PS4, but it's still not terribly complex. Along with power and HDMI, you'll also have to connect the Kinect through its proprietary cable.
If you plan to watch TV on the console, you'll do so with an HDMI cable, through the system's HDMI-in port. You'll then need to run the OneGuide's setup, which isn't too complex.
When you first switch the system on you'll be met with a setup wizard which will get you connected to the internet for that day one patch. It's around 2GB, and absolutely required before you can even get to the Home screen. There's been quite a few firmware updates since launch, too, so expect your first patch to take a while depending on your internet speed.
Snap
The Xbox One's tiled Home screen is a dead giveaway that the interface shares some DNA with Windows 8. Its brought one of the unique features of the Metro UI to your TV screen in the form of app snapping.
Snapping lets you run two apps at once, giving a third of the screen to one app off to the right, and the rest to your primary engagement. It's a good way to do a little Internet Explorer browsing while you wait for a friend to join your game, but beyond that it can be straining on the eyes unless your TV or projector screen is very large.
Kinect makes it easier, allowing to simply say "Xbox snap Skype" to get the side by side feature working. It's also much easier to just say "switch" for toggling between the two rather using the controller.
The Xbox One's tiled Home screen is a dead giveaway that the interface shares some DNA with Windows 8. Its brought one of the unique features of the Metro UI to your TV screen in the form of app snapping.
Snapping lets you run two apps at once, giving a third of the screen to one app off to the right, and the rest to your primary engagement. It's a good way to do a little Internet Explorer browsing while you wait for a friend to join your game, but beyond that it can be straining on the eyes unless your TV or projector screen is very large.
Kinect makes it easier, allowing to simply say "Xbox snap Skype" to get the side by side feature working. It's also much easier to just say "switch" for toggling between the two rather using the controller.
The verdict
THE GOOD : Microsoft's Xbox One offers impressive graphics and a solid list of exclusive 2015 titles. The Microsoft console currently edges ahead of the PS4 with a better selection of media apps. The console's fall-2015 dashboard update is a noticeable improvement. The console has backward compatibility with around 100 Xbox 360 titles, and that list is poised to grow.
THE BAD :The Xbox One's new interface is still more convoluted than the PS4's. In general, the PS4 delivers slightly better installation times, graphics and performance on cross-platform games. The Xbox One also lags behind the PS4 in its selection of indie games. The Kinect's legacy is still a blemish.
THE BOTTOM LINE: While the PS4 remains our overall preferred choice in the game console race, the Xbox One's significant course corrections and solid exclusives make it a compelling alternative.
THE GOOD : Microsoft's Xbox One offers impressive graphics and a solid list of exclusive 2015 titles. The Microsoft console currently edges ahead of the PS4 with a better selection of media apps. The console's fall-2015 dashboard update is a noticeable improvement. The console has backward compatibility with around 100 Xbox 360 titles, and that list is poised to grow.
THE BAD :The Xbox One's new interface is still more convoluted than the PS4's. In general, the PS4 delivers slightly better installation times, graphics and performance on cross-platform games. The Xbox One also lags behind the PS4 in its selection of indie games. The Kinect's legacy is still a blemish.
THE BOTTOM LINE: While the PS4 remains our overall preferred choice in the game console race, the Xbox One's significant course corrections and solid exclusives make it a compelling alternative.
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