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Xbox one feature description. Xbox One X Review - The most powerful gaming console that has more. Xbox One operating system and interface

Well, Microsoft came to its senses in time and significantly improved its position. Conclusions have been drawn, measures have been taken, those responsible are punished: the notorious Don Mattrick is now engaged in cheerful farms at Zynga, and the stern Phil Spencer is in charge of the Xbox gaming division. Keen gamers can breathe a sigh of relief and think about buying an Xbox again, because the a new version Xbox One S, which brings together all the improvements over the past years. We'll tell you everything in the full review!

The new Xbox One S is noticeably different in design from its predecessor, and it’s not even due to its reduced size. Aesthetics and ergonomics come to the fore: the console looks beautiful and neat, and most importantly, it has finally gotten rid of the huge external power supply that has been an eyesore since the days of the Xbox 360! This bold innovation completely changed the perception: you look at the little white console, from which only HDMI and a standard power cable stick out, and you can’t believe your eyes. It's as if it has not only become 40% more compact, but also got rid of unnecessary ballast.

There are no complaints about the quality of materials - white matte plastic (color name - Robot White) is pleasant to look at and to the touch. In any case, it will not collect micro-scratches as easily as the black glossy surfaces on the cases of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 of the first version. The assembly also inspires confidence: nothing creaks, there is no play, and in general, the body feels monolithic and weighty - 2.9 kg after all. The ventilation holes set an interesting theme: holes of different sizes adorn the snow-white device.

There is something in this from Scandinavian design and other Bang & Olufsen. True, if the first Xbox One received the comic stigma of a “VHS player” from sarcastic gamers, then the Xbox One S from the top angle turned out to look like... a Soviet radio! It’s as if there’s a speaker hidden in the round hole on top, not a cooling fan.

By the way, according to our feelings, the noise level when operating the Xbox One S has become slightly higher than before. Apparently, the fan of a smaller diameter and a different grille have an effect. But there are no problems with heating, despite the denser packaging of the filling. If you look closely, you can see through the ventilation that the insides are cooled by a large aluminum radiator - and it copes with the task quite well. After a couple of hours of gaming, the temperature of the console is not at all alarming, even if it is installed vertically. Let us remind you that the previous Xbox One could only be used in a horizontal position.

Xbox One S lived up to expectations and left only one rhetorical question: why, oh why couldn’t the console have been made like this from the very beginning? This is not just “the same Xbox One, only smaller,” as it might seem at first glance. This is a thorough work on bugs, which eliminated the main ergonomic flaws and made the device much more pleasant to use. As for technical improvements, support for 4K and HDR formats looks like something familiar and ordinary these days - however, it all depends on the capabilities of your TV, and the experience will vary markedly. If anything, the Xbox One S is ready for a near future where even toasters can upscale images to 4K.

The disadvantages of the console remained the same: for example, we did not like the installation of games on the HDD that took too long. The console's GPU power is quite modest, which is why multi-platform projects are often released on Xbox One with a lower resolution. Probably, for market balance, a black version is still missing, although the white console looks very nice. But it's easy to put up with all this for the sake of good games- and this time you won’t have to look for a place for a hefty power supply or fiddle with the “mandatory” Kinect 2.0.

The verdict is very simple: if you are going to buy a console from Microsoft, then you should choose the Xbox One S! If you already have an Xbox One, then it might make sense to upgrade and get some nice newfangled features. It’s better to leave the first version to collectors and residents of spacious American homes; we now have a much more enjoyable way to play the main exclusives like Gears of War and Forza Horizon.

I have already talked about what you should pay attention to before buying a Playstation 4 in . Without leaving any gaps, let's take a look at the features of Microsoft's second next-generation console, the Xbox One. I advise those interested in this console to read it with comments after use, and this material focuses on the most interesting points that buyers of the next XBOX should know.

1. XBOX One package

Xbox One comes with one game controller, a second-generation Kinect sensor, an HDMI cable, a power supply and a cable to it. In addition to the above, the kit includes a headset for communicating with other players. It's worth noting that they initially wanted to remove this headset from the package, as Microsoft was trying to stay within the $499 price range, and the headset didn't allow for that. As a result, potential buyers were not harmed.

2. Mandatory update

Like PS4 users, immediately after purchasing and connecting to an Xbox One, you will have to download and install a mandatory update, which will allow you to enable many of the locked functions of the console. The update patch for Xbox One takes about 500 MB. The time and speed of installation and downloading depends on the speed of your Internet connection (on average, this procedure takes 15-20 minutes). Without installing this update, you will not be able to play games, since the console requires its installation.

3. Uploading content and storing it

Users will be able to buy almost everything with a complete absence of regional restrictions, as is the case with the Playstation 4. XBOX One has the ability to connect an external hard drive to the console to save purchased games - a useful feature when the internal hard drive of the Xbox One runs out of space. This is especially true in the new generation console, since absolutely all games require complete forced installation on the hard drive. Let me remind you that a 500 GB hard drive is integrated into the console without the possibility of replacing it with a larger HDD. By the way, at the beginning of sales the ability to connect an external drive will not be available, but will become available in subsequent updates.

4. Games on the day of release of XBOX One

On November 22, along with the start of Xbox One sales, 21 games will be available in stores and the Xbox Live digital distribution service. 6 titles will be exclusive to this console: Dead Rising 3, Forza Motorsport 5, Ryse: Son of Rome, Crimson Dragon and only in the form of digital copies - Lococycle and Killer Instinct. Several multi-platform projects will also be available: Battlefield 4, Call of Duty: Ghosts, Skylanders: Swap Force, Need for Speed: Rivals, Just Dance 4, Lego Marvel Super Heroes, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Madden 25, NBA 2K14, FIFA 14, NBA Live 14, Zumba Fitness World Party, Fighter Within, Powerstar Golf, Zoo Tycoon and Angry Birds Star Wars.

5. Using cable TV on XBOX One

There is one HDMI input on board the Xbox One console, which is necessary to connect an external signal source. For example, for a satellite receiver that will turn the Xbox One into a multimedia center. The console also includes functionality that allows you to switch between a game and a TV show using a controller, gestures or voice commands, but first I recommend reading. There is also a built-in TV guide with the ability to select your favorite channels and assign each of them a unique voice command for quick switching.

6. Second generation Kinect sensor

XBOX One bundles will now come with or without the Kinect 2.0 sensor. The Kinect camera has undergone significant changes:

  • viewing the room from a wider angle
  • ability to work in complete darkness
  • Kinect face detector immediately loads your game profile
  • voice recognition of registered users
  • the sensor can detect your emotions and state
  • Built-in Xbox Fitness app, allowing you to exercise using the new Kinect.

7. New Dashboard

As you already know, dashboard is the name of the main menu of Xbox consoles, starting with the Xbox 360. Now the main menu can be fine-tuned. Users can customize the color scheme and pin up to 25 of their favorite games, apps, TV shows or movies to the Home page for quick access to content. The console menu is a prototype of the interface of modern smartphones and tablets running Windows 8. Microsoft adheres to the Metro interface in all its devices. To be extremely literate, Xbox One runs on 3 operating systems that run in parallel:

  • application launcher
  • video game launcher
  • a system that connects the previous two with each other

8. Skype on XBOX One

Skype is integrated into Xbox One at the OS level, just like Windows 8.1. You can make video calls using your contacts list and the updated Kinect sensor. At the same time, you move around the room, since the smart camera will focus on you until you leave its field of view. If there is no one else in the room except you, Kinect will enlarge your face for the comfort of the interlocutor, and in the presence of company, the camera will cover each person. It is possible to play video games while talking on Skype or watch TV at the same time. Your interlocutor will be displayed in a smaller window on the right, so as not to interfere with the gameplay or watching TV.

9. New controller for XBOX One

The Xbox One controller will contain more than 40 innovations, ranging from a recessed battery compartment (in the previous version of the gamepad, this protrusion bothered some) and a slight redesign, ending with additional vibration motors that are built into the triggers of the controller. Now, when shooting in shooters, you will feel the recoil of the weapon under your fingers in the form of distinct impulses. Also, due to numerous requests from fans of fighting games, the so-called D-pad (crosspad) was redesigned. The directional buttons have become more precise in pressing and are better separated from each other; in Start and Back they have been replaced by Menu and View. The gamepad itself has slightly decreased in size.

10. Sales start date and price

In Russia, the start of sales is postponed to September 5, 2014; according to Microsoft, the release was postponed, since for some countries they did not have time to complete the interface (including voice commands in national languages), and legal issues were not resolved. An Xbox One kit with a Kinect sensor will cost residents of the Russian Federation about27 499 rubles, which is 500 rubles lower than the price mentioned in the recent information leak. If you don’t want to spend money on Kinect, you can only buy the Xbox One itself with a game controller. Such a kit will cost you20 999 rubles, which is as much as 2,000 rubles less than previously published figures.

So, a miracle happened. All three (or, for some, two) new generation consoles are presented. One is already on sale in stores, although it suffers from a lack of power and weak support from third-party developers. WITH Wii U It is not that simple. And here's the new one Xbox there will be no such problems. All major publishers have already announced support for powerful consoles, loud statements have been made about unique services, and exclusive projects have been announced. All players are known, a full-fledged battle of the titans will begin at the end of the year. About the system Nintendo you already know, many probably even have it. ABOUT PlayStation 4 We have also already talked about her games. The time has come for something new Xbox.

Which, contrary to all rumors, received a name different from Xbox 720 And Xbox Infinity. It's simple - a new console Microsoft got a simple but memorable name Xbox One. A modern universal home entertainment system - this is how its creators position the console. What will we, the players, be dealing with over the next 6-7 years?

Xbox One presentation

As promised, presentations of the game console Xbox One occurred on May 21, 2013. It started at 21-00 Moscow time in Washington state, in Redmond. It was immediately stated that the technologies embedded in the console would be enough for the next ten years. It should be stated right away that, in addition to the games themselves, Xbox One will be able to show movies, broadcast television programs, sporting events, allow you to listen to music, communicate via Skype and so on.

“Xbox One brings the next generation of popular games, TV and entertainment into a fast, versatile device,” said Don Mattrick, head of interactive entertainment. Microsoft. The system's unique, state-of-the-art architecture delivers unrivaled control and revolutionary ability to instantly switch between games and entertainment."

That is, in fact, in the new generation consoles will become even closer to PC than in the previous one. Of course, it won’t do without an advanced online service that integrates everything that has been invented in the past. Lately. Do you want to see what's on TV, what games are coming out soon, and what games are already available? Please, everything is on the screen of your TV to which the console is connected Xbox One. They will also give you the opportunity to communicate with friends by voice.

The Amazing Features of Xbox One

Just like search algorithms google, operating system Xbox One will be trainable and offer you what you love. That is, if you're a fan role playing games, then it is about them that you will be shown information first. They will also be recommended. The capabilities of the console are described in great detail in the official press release Microsoft:

  • TV on Xbox One. Browse TV channels from your cable TV, telecommunications company or satellite operator using Xbox One.
  • Turn on by voice. Say just two words: “Turn on Xbox” and you'll be on your home screen with your favorite games, TV and entertainment programs.
  • Parallel operation. Do two things at once on the biggest screen in your home. Use the parallel feature to jump into multiplayer battles while watching your favorite movie, chatting with friends on Skype, watching TV channels, getting TV news about your favorite team while watching an important game and much more.
  • Skype for Xbox One.Xbox One allows you to chat with friends over Skype, and make group calls using your HDTV.
  • Popularity ratings. Stay on top of the hottest programs on TV: Find out what entertainment shows are popular among your friends and the Xbox community.
  • One Guide. Quickly voice search for your favorite entertainment programs by TV channel, title or broadcast time in your personal program guide.

Well, quite impressive. However, approximately everything is or will be the same PlayStation 4. Copying ideas from three console manufacturers became the norm in the last generation. As for the performance and performance of all the above-mentioned services, a high level can be achieved through the use of three operating systems simultaneously: one is responsible for interacting with Windows services, the second controls the set-top box itself, and the third is used to link one with the other. Well, 5 billion microtransistors (approximate figure) eliminate any delays - switching between programs, games and television will happen instantly.

Specifications

Detailed technical specifications of the console are still unknown. But in general terms we can already talk about what will be inside. Same as on PS4, V Xbox One 8 gigabytes will be installed random access memory. The central processor will also be 8-core. The minimum hard drive size will be 500 gigabytes. And it will be used as a medium for games Blu-Ray(yes, yes, after all, he and only in this generation in the case of Microsoft). How Sony, so Microsoft have not yet decided on completely digital distribution. Perhaps this will happen, but obviously not in this and perhaps not even in the next generation.

The set-top box will be connected to the TV via HDMI and will be equipped with USB 3.0 outputs. Of course, you can’t do without Wi-Fi. As for the network service, this will be an advanced version Xbox Live, supported by 300 thousand servers. So the stability of work should be at its best from the very first days after launch Xbox One. The set-top box will also make it possible to use a function similar to Share on PS4, that is, the most interesting moments from the games will be given the opportunity to be shared directly during the gameplay.

Xbox One will use cloud technologies to the fullest. This will allow segmented installation of games, the ability to play while downloading, and faster downloading from the network. And most data can be stored in the cloud so as not to take up space on your hard drive Xbox One. Fortunately, there is something to fill it with. New generation games promise to be extremely “big”. And, yes, a subscription Xbox Live can be transferred from Xbox 360 on Xbox One. As for other possibilities, the new network service will allow:

  • Advanced partner search. There's practically no need to wait!
  • Game recording. Games can be recorded, saved on the console, in the cloud, or sent to friends or communities. Some games - large MMOs for example - will download add-ons while you play. This means you won't have to interrupt! Player's score from Xbox 360 can be transferred to Xbox One.
  • Xbox SmartGlass- an integral part of Xbox One - allows you to quickly draw content directly on the console.
  • Simultaneous connection more devices.

Kinect One

Concerning Kinect new generation, then this advanced camera will come with Xbox One. That is, you don’t have to buy it separately. As for permission, then Kinect One will have 1080p, and the sensor will be able to process up to 2 gigabytes per second. This will allow you to instantly recognize commands, including voice ones. Moreover, without any additional sensors Kinect One will be able to count the player's pulse! Finally, you should know that Kinect On will be in always-on mode.

No, he will not eavesdrop on your conversations and transfer them to the special services, but will limit himself to just waiting for commands. Yes, the console can be turned on by voice. A kind of electronic “ball” dog that understands the owner’s instructions. I wonder if there will be Xbox One to see dreams!?

But most of all, players were concerned about the issue of backward compatibility. Good library Xbox 360 more than impressive. Alas and ah, but she won’t be there. The reason is that there are too many differences between consoles. The architecture does not imply or allow backward compatibility.

Games and exclusive projects for Xbox One

There will be many exclusive projects. Thus, in the first year of the console’s life, 15 exclusive games will be released, 8 of which will be completely new. Probably the most anticipated project at the moment that is known about is Forza Motorsport 5.

  • Forza Motorsport 5- the last series of the main competitor Gran Turismo. Stunning graphics, amazing detail and much more. All this already at the moment the console launches! More details are available in our upcoming full preview.
  • Call of Duty: Ghosts- New Generation Call of Duty with completely unique gameplay and stunning graphics. Soon!
  • FIFA 14, Madden NFL 25, NBA Live 14, UFC- a must-have sports line from EA Sports on the new EA Sports Ignite engine.
  • Quantum Break- a new adventure from the creators Max Payne And Alan Wake. On our forum - .

And, of course, we must not forget about Thief 4, The Witcher 3 , Dragon Age 3, Mass Effect 4 and other multi-platform hits of the future. They will talk about the games in more detail at the upcoming E3. The wait isn't that long.

Interesting facts about Xbox One

In addition to games, for Xbox One Related projects will also be created. For example, Spielberg has already announced that he is the producer of the upcoming series based on the universe Halo, which will contain unique materials for those who will watch it through Xbox One. NFL announces multi-year partnership with Microsoft. This will result in the creation of a modern interactive TV platform NFL For Xbox One.

Xbox One appearance

Console design can be approached in different ways. Some people like it, others it resembles a VCR. The same goes for the sensor. Kinect. But in general, the prefix turned out to be very strict. However, like Wii U and most likely new PlayStation. Designer delights are apparently a thing of the past. Externally amazing devices are a thing of the past along with Dreamcast, PS2, GameCube and original Xbox. The time has come for solutions that fit extremely organically into the interior.

As for the joystick, about 40 innovations have been added to it, although the essence remains the same. Not surprising, given that the joystick Xbox 360 was recognized as the best of a generation by millions of players (most importantly, by fans PlayStation including). Price Xbox One not named yet. But it is known that the console will be released in 2013. More details - as always, at E3.

Read more about Xbox One you can read in our.

After testing and even before our personal acquaintance with the Xbox One, introduced in November 2013, we were a little disappointed in the console from Microsoft. Numerous PS4 reviews confirmed our feelings: the Xbox One is much larger in size, there is a large power supply, you can’t reach the Kinect, the menu is confusing, the resolution in games does not reach the maximum, the gamepad is inferior to the DualShock 4. In general, we thought, Microsoft was headed for failure.

But it turned out that we were too hasty in drawing conclusions. Getting to know the console confirmed some of its... features, but can we call them disadvantages? Complicated menu? A couple of days will be enough to fully master it. normal mode use, but the possibilities for customization are much wider than in PS4. Unnecessary Kinect 2.0 included? But games using it are already available at launch - from a simple zombie reaction to sound in Dead Rising 3, to the Xbox Fitness complex, not to mention Skype. In short, everything depends on the point of view.

The same applies to some technical characteristics, but we will focus our attention on this point in the appropriate section. Looking ahead, we note that Microsoft has prepared a very worthy competitor to the PS4.

A little history

The beginning of Xbox consoles began in 2001, when the first console from Microsoft joined the sixth generation of such devices. The main competitors at that time were SEGA Dreamcast, Sony PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube. And even then the leaders of the race were determined - PS2 and Xbox, and according to sales results, Sony finished with a huge lead. However, this is not surprising, since Sony has been in the lead since its launch.

Out of curiosity, let's take a look at a small comparison based on the release date of Sony and Microsoft consoles.


As you can see, the debut of the Xbox took place only a year and a half after the release of the PS2. Microsoft probably evaluated Sony's creation and decided to take the lead right from the start, offering a console with more advanced technical characteristics. However, success was on Sony's side: with more than 150 million models sold, the PlayStation 2 became the best-selling console in the history of gaming systems. However, Xbox turned out to be far from bad, since it immediately overtook such old-timers gaming industry, like Sega and Nintendo.

The next time, Microsoft acted differently: the Xbox 360 went on sale a year earlier than its main competitor, in 2005. Initially, Sony planned to release the PlayStation 3 in the same year, but the console was too raw, so Microsoft skimmed the cream. This did not stop the PlayStation 3 from catching up with its competitor, although subsequently sales of both consoles remained at the same level. At the moment, there are no exact figures yet, since thanks to various modifications, both seventh-generation consoles are still relevant.

Finally, the eighth generation. PlayStation 4 and Xbox One came out just a week apart. In our opinion, such a unity of two competitors is possible only in the following case: someone tried very hard to keep up with their rival, even at the cost of a not fully finished console at the exit. However, no matter who it is, most of the problems of both consoles are software, which means they can be easily fixed with the next firmware update.

However, as of the end of 2013, Microsoft shipped 3.9 million Xbox One units, and Sony shipped more than 4.2 million PS4 consoles. Considering the week's head start, Sony's leadership is quite natural. However, it is worth considering that the PS4 was launched in a noticeably larger number of countries at once.

Set

If you buy an Xbox One in a store, then you should go there by car or return with your purchase by taxi: the box is very heavy and inconvenient, and the handle risks coming off every now and then.


The kit includes:


  • Xbox One console;
  • Microsoft Wireless Controller gamepad;
  • Kinect 2.0;
  • headset;
  • power unit;
  • HDMI cable;
  • warranty card and other documents (the right to use a Gold account for a month is free).


As for the power supply, before purchasing you should check which electrical outlets the console is designed for. We are interested in European ones, since in this case we can do without a transformer for voltage conversion.


Kinect 2.0 is equipped with a non-detachable two-meter cable, and can also be installed on a tripod (1/4" thread). Thanks for the length of the cable: the controller can be placed at a considerable distance from the console. By the way, its connection to the Xbox One is not mandatory. But why would it not, if it is already included in the kit and therefore paid for?

Design and controls


Speaking about the appearance of the Xbox One, only the laziest reviewer did not compare the console with a “video recorder from the 90s.” Yes, the dimensions of the console are significantly different from the PS4. Considering similar technical characteristics and an external power supply, this decision is difficult to explain. Efficient cooling system? A loophole for future Slim models that are “70% thinner”? Unclear.


However, the weight and size of the console did not bother us. Firstly, the console is not designed for constant movement. Secondly, there is still something romantic in this bulky box. And the power supply has become smaller than in the Xbox 360, and the length of the cable allows you to hide it in the depths of a “slide” or bedside table with equipment. But - additional security, which in the conditions of our electrical networks is by no means an empty phrase.


We are most interested in the top part of the console: many players place a gamepad, disks, or Kinect controller here. Unfortunately, the Xbox One is not designed to act as a stand. On the right we see a grate through which hot air is blown. The case of a smartphone carelessly left on it warmed up to very unpleasant temperatures within an hour of the console’s operation, so this area should always remain free. On the left, glossy plastic dominates, very easily soiled, perfectly collecting dust and scratches.


The Xbox logo on the front not only shows that the console is working, but is also a touch button to turn the device on or off. At the same time, a soft melodic sound is heard. When the console is turned off, the sound plays in reverse.


To the left is the drive hole with slot loading. Like the PS4, thanks to the design of the guides, there is no need to find the optimal position for the disc when loading it into the drive. The disc is ejected by pressing the small button on the right. In general, the implementation of touch buttons is more convenient than in PS4: they are more noticeable and, no matter how strange it may sound, they are pressed more clearly and easily. When using PS4, each time you had to look for a specific place on the button for it to work, this is not the case on Xbox One.



Special thanks to whoever decided to add another USB 3.0 connector. It's on the left, next to the controller sync button. Two more ports are on the rear panel. True, at the moment you can only connect gamepads to the ports, but in the future they promise support for external drives, keyboards, mice and other accessories.


On the right side there are only holes for ventilation.


The basic set of interfaces is similar to PS4, but there are some differences. In addition to the HDMI output, intended for connecting the console to a TV, there is also an HDMI input. Thus, the TV, receiver or media player, in turn, can be connected to the console, so that a little later, using voice control, you do not have to change the signal source every time.


Also on the rear panel there are: a connector for the power cable, an S/PDIF connector (for digital audio), a connector for the Kinect 2.0 sensor and an Ethernet network port.


It should be noted that the Xbox One can only be installed horizontally. Microsoft claims that this has nothing to do with the ventilation system, the drive is to blame. If the console is installed vertically, your drive may be damaged, they warn. More than 80% of players install the console in a horizontal position, said the company's product development director Albert Panello, explaining this decision. Well, it turns out that you can ignore the remaining 20% ​​of players. In general, the reason is, of course, strange: the market offers more than a dozen drive models operating in this mode. We believe that it's all about ventilation. But why doesn't Microsoft release a separate stand a little later for $159.99 with an additional cooler and USB connector, like Sony did? Again, it's unclear.


A more complete picture of the Xbox One console will be provided by its video review:

Xbox One Specifications

In the PS4 review, we already said that theoretically the Japanese console is more powerful than its competitor, primarily graphically. However, we continue to be of the opinion that in games – cross-platform and especially exclusive – this difference will not be felt.


So let's take a look at other characteristics. First of all, many players express dissatisfaction with the fact that the hard drive in the Xbox One cannot be replaced. iFixit specialists disassembled the console and made sure that hidden in the depths was a regular 2.5-inch Samsung hard drive with a capacity of 500 GB, connected via the SATA II interface.

Moreover, a way has already been found to replace the drive with another HDD, or even a solid-state SSD or hybrid SSHD. But at the moment this operation is only available to those who know Linux well and are not afraid of losing the warranty. For those users who do not want to disassemble their console and read dozens of forum pages, Microsoft will soon offer versions of the console with more capacious drives.

But in general, the consoles are very similar in terms of computing power. They have processors and video cards with the same architecture. Yes, these components operate in slightly different modes and when comparing raw processing power head-to-head, the PS4 may be slightly faster. But in practice this is unlikely to affect the quality of games.

A few words about the operation of the drive. While testing the PS4, we noticed that the drive was noticeably noisy during games. If you own a disc version of the game, then constant noise is guaranteed, because the presence of a disc in the drive is mandatory. The same scheme applies to the Xbox One, but with one exception: the drive is very quiet, almost imperceptible. That's a plus. And in general: since we got the American version of the Xbox One for the test, we couldn’t hear the noise of the console itself behind the crackling transformer. Ventilation copes “excellently” even after several hours of continuous play.

Xbox One joystick


Whether the gamepad fits comfortably in your hand, whether your fingers can reach all the sticks, buttons and triggers, whether your palms sweat - all this can be determined solely from personal experience. Personally, we really liked the updated controller, but in the future we will try to stick only to the facts.


There are many changes, although at first glance they will only be noticeable to experienced players. The emphasis on the gamepad handle is more noticeable, and Sony did the same. The convex cover of the battery compartment has disappeared from the back side, and the reservoir itself has been moved deeper into the controller.


The handles of the analog joysticks are slightly smaller, and they are equipped with rubberized pads with a rough surface and a recess in the upper part. The four-way button has been noticeably improved: firstly, it is now actually a D-pad. Secondly, it clearly responds to the slightest pressure, producing a characteristic click. Unfortunately, we didn’t have a gamepad from the Xbox 360 Slim, but we still have fresh impressions of using the DualShock 4. In our opinion, both controllers are very comfortable and are in no way inferior to each other.


The Home button, which blinks when the gamepad is turned on, has been moved to the top of the front panel. Just below are the View and Menu buttons, replacing Back and Start. Looking at the images, it may seem that the Menu is located dangerously close to the X control button. However, during the entire testing period we did not record a single accidental press.


Very comfortable and soft “triggers” are equipped with built-in motors that provide a feeling of recoil. If we talk about personal observations, then while playing Dead Rising 3 no effect from this innovation was felt. All attention was absorbed by the game, so the tactile feedback was invisible. Perhaps the effect will be different in racing car simulators.


Like the Xbox 360, the new gamepad is powered by two AA batteries. Frankly, this decision seemed controversial to us. On the one hand, the ability to quickly replace batteries with a “fresh” pair will always be useful. On the other hand, recharging the built-in battery while playing from the console's USB connector, as is implemented in the DualShock 4, seems to be a simpler and more convenient way.


We see the following ways to resolve the issue. Firstly, this is the purchase of two pairs of powerful batteries: one is installed in the gamepad, and the second, replaceable, in charger. Secondly, Microsoft offers to purchase an additional Play&Charge accessory. This is a battery that is installed in place of the batteries, plus a cable for connecting to the console, equipped with an indicator. In this case, gamepads from Sony and Microsoft are powered and recharged in the same way.



In the front of the controller there is a connector for connecting a standard mono headset, used for communication in game chats. The headset plug is equipped with three additional buttons: microphone on/off and volume control. Microsoft also has headsets with better speakers, and in the future it promises support for devices from third-party manufacturers.

In general, all changes to the device are more “cosmetic” than innovative. Microsoft, to its credit, has tried to correct the shortcomings of the Xbox 360 Slim gamepad. This was successful because the controller is very convenient. However, there is no need to talk about any incredible features due to their absence. However, if DualShock 4 wins, it is only slightly, mainly due to the touch pad and additional speaker. And the benefits of a chic but invisible indicator, which instantly eats up the battery charge, still raise doubts in our minds.

System

Contrary to many reviews, we did not experience any particular difficulties when launching and setting up the console for the first time. The Wi-Fi network was detected instantly, and we were ready to download updates (as much as 500 MB). After all, this is not a daily process; the console is configured only once.


True, we cheated a little by creating an account on Xbox Live using a computer. There, the appearance of your “avatar” was edited and some other profile settings were made. Therefore, after turning on the console, all that remained was to provide your email address and password.


The menu is greeted with a scattering of small tiles, as in. At first glance, their location is chaotic and incomprehensible. But if you look into it a little, this interface can be even more convenient than in PS4. Let us remember that everything is there installed games and applications are dumped into one, ever-growing strip. Simple, clear, but too cumbersome after a while. Things are different on Xbox One. The only unpleasant moment for us: compared to PS4, the speed of moving through the menu is noticeably slower.


So, the desktop is divided into three zones, which can be switched with “shifts” (they are also “bumpers” - those above the triggers). The central zone contains a list of recently launched applications. The largest window is the current activity, for example, this could be a game that you left to answer on Skype. Naturally, you can return to the game at any time: here it is, multitasking in action.


The area on the right contains only four “shortcuts” leading to the corresponding section of the online store: games, movies and TV, music, applications. Finally, the area on the left is of the greatest interest to us: here you can place any “shortcuts” of installed applications, which subsequently makes them much easier to find. To do this, you should open the list of all your applications, place the cursor on the one you want and press the Menu button, then select Pin to Home.


Some reviewers complain that you have to install each app yourself. Indeed, such a moment exists. However, in our opinion, this need is due to their large number: Skype, YouTube, Snap, Upload and dozens of others. There are not so many applications that you get confused and scared, but not so few that they are all installed “by default.” The user must decide for himself what he needs.


For many applications to work, as well as for multiplayer, a paid subscription is required. Xbox subscriptions Live Gold. The price is relatively low: approximately $10, $25 or $60 for 1, 3 or 12 months, respectively. However, at the moment, official sales of the console in the Russian Federation and the CIS have not yet begun. This means that you can select Russian in the interface, but you will not be able to purchase a subscription.

The ability to download games and updates in sleep mode is also available on Xbox One. It is difficult to say anything definite about download speed. For example, to get acquainted with the console, we downloaded two free demos: Zumba Fitness: World Party to test Kinect 2.0 and Lego Marvel Super Heroes to satisfy curiosity. In practice, it turned out that a game that required 2.5 GB of free space downloaded much faster than a game that took up only 900 MB. In addition, some games for Xbox can be said to be from torrents, although specifically with Xbox One the situation is not entirely clear.

Kinect


Kinect 2.0 is the main reason for the difference in the cost of the consoles, a risk that Microsoft decided to take. But at the same time as we acquire it, we gain new opportunities in games, communication, and management. Since the controller is already included in the kit, game and application developers can always count on its use when introducing additional options into their projects. By the way, connecting Kinect 2.0 is optional.


Compared to the Kinect for Xbox 360, the new device has noticeably increased both in size and in technical equipment. It has a built-in 1080p camera with wide viewing angles, an infrared sensor and facial recognition. In addition, Kinect 2.0 easily “sees” in the dark, simultaneously distinguishes up to six people and is able to identify the account owner from them, as well as “remember” the pre-specified names of guests.


At the moment, its functions are still limited to face and voice recognition. Application in games, not counting sports Xbox Fitness and the like, is minimal. For example, in Dead Rising 3 you can command your hero to drop his weapon. True, any loud sound recorded by the microphone will make the zombies turn in your direction. That sometimes, in general, is fraught, that’s why it’s interesting.


Of greater interest is the control: voice and gestures. The implementation of the latter is not very convenient. First, we need to take a position in which Kinect 2.0 will notice a raised palm and identify it as, so to speak, a control element. Then we smoothly, very smoothly and carefully move the pointer to the button (menu item, shortcut) and make the appropriate gesture to execute the “click” command. The slightest movement to the side, and the cursor immediately moves to the other side of the screen. After pampering ourselves like this for about three minutes, we take up the gamepad with a sigh.

There are quite a lot of voice commands for controlling the console, complete. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to use them, even if the command was spoken in “correct” English near the microphone in a quiet environment. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Let us immediately note that when communicating via Skype, the interlocutor noted the good sound quality. We can only hope that the speech recognition problems are software related and will be fixed soon.


Another interesting point. While you're playing a game or watching TV connected to your Xbox One, you might see a message or Skype call notification on your screen. Although how convenient it is to share “your” chat with others, the user still has to decide.

Xbox One Games

For the test we got Dead game Rising 3. Unfortunately, the image quality is limited to HD resolution, and the game itself, despite the axe-wielding fun among the hordes Walking Dead, does not force you to experience the wow effect. The only thing that saves it is that it is launched on the long-awaited Xbox One. The zombie action game has very little chance against the graphically gorgeous shooter Killzone: Shadow Fall on PS4.

However, when the Xbox One was released, not one, as for the PS4, but four exclusive games were prepared for sale: in addition to Dead Rising 3, you can buy the car simulator Forza Motorsport 5, the fighting game Killer Instinct and the ancient Roman slasher Ryse: Son of Rome. The breakthrough Titanfall is expected to be released soon, as well as a continuation of the Halo series. In total, Microsoft Studios promises 15 games for the “box” this year. If you add an ever-growing list of cross-platform projects, many of which are already available, the Xbox One owner will not be bored. They have also already promised to make GTA 5 for Xbox One. Older titles from the GTA series are unlikely to appear on this console.

Overall, Sony and Microsoft have parity. The latter decided to compensate for quality with quantity, while the Japanese company decided to immediately demonstrate the graphic capabilities of the console. However, at the moment, neither one nor the other console has yet demonstrated a single game that could, without prevarication, be attributed to the “next generation”. But in the future, Microsoft does not deny the possibility of using 4K resolution not only for films, but also in games, while Sony limited itself to only 1080p.

Conclusion

The main problem with the Xbox One is voice control using the Kinect 2.0 controller. Otherwise, it's powerful console with an optimal set of interfaces, including HDMI input, a convenient gamepad and broad capabilities in general. And some of them are superior to PS4, for example, a customizable desktop and a large number of applications.

A gaming console is designed primarily for gaming, which was fully demonstrated by both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Thanks to the transition to a new, more developer-friendly architecture, both consoles will soon have more games. And if we take into account the almost identical technical characteristics of the devices, then these games will most likely be cross-platform. The only pity is that at the beginning of 2014, Xbox One is not sold in Russia and the CIS.

Xbox One price

For now, you can only buy Xbox One in “gray” form. There is no official price yet, so it is $720. The cost can also be increased due to additional equipment with games.



At the same time, the main competitor of the Xbox One, the Sony PlayStation 4, costs a little less – about $570. But we have already explained this difference by the presence of a Kinect 2.0 controller in the package.

Pros:

  • Kinect 2.0 included;
  • updated joystick;
  • three USB 3.0 connectors;
  • quiet optical drive;
  • no need to “upgrade” the filling for at least five to seven years;
  • download in sleep mode;
  • customizable desktop;
  • a large number of additional applications.

Minuses:

  • the cost is higher than PS4 (due to Kinect 2.0);
  • large size and weight (subjective);
  • external power supply (safety must be taken into account);
  • cannot be placed in a vertical position;
  • Xbox Live Gold subscription required;
  • voice control problems;
  • long wait for official sales in the Russian Federation;
  • Difficulties when replacing a hard drive.

We thank the Belconsole.by store for providing the Microsoft Xbox One console for testing

Xbox One X is a powerful gaming console that offers games that gamers have never seen before. This has greater significance and separate problems.

A look into the past

When the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles hit the market, video game enthusiasts had a right to feel disappointed. They were significantly less efficient than their predecessors, offering disappointing hardware capabilities. Especially in the case of Microsoft, whose Xbox One was slower than the PlayStation 4.

When the Xbox One hit the market, technical innovations were already heading towards 4K resolutions. At the same time, Microsoft's console barely reached Full HD. Although the situation has improved with numerous software updates and development tools, the hardware still renders many games at 900p.

Sony was the first to solve this problem with the release of the PlayStation 4 Pro console, thanks to which new components made it possible to play more high resolution. Now Microsoft is doing the same with the Xbox One X.

Xbox One X successor to Xbox One or Xbox One S

It's like buying a car. The same model from the same year is available in several variants. Both with a cheap and economical engine, as well as an expensive one with much better performance. The same applies to Xbox One consoles.

Xbox One S is a cheaper gaming console in the series for less demanding people. With it you can achieve success for a small price. The most expensive version of the Xbox One X costs twice as much. It has no different features from the S. It has the same games, the same system, the same available accessories, a UHD Blu-ray drive and multimedia support in 4K and HDR. What is the difference? Performance in games.

Unrivaled computing power

Xbox One X is 40 percent more efficient than PlayStation 4 Pro. Game developers have 6 TFLOPS of graphics efficiency at their disposal with this 12 GB GDDR5 memory with 326 GB/s and a 2.3 GHz, octa-core main processor. What's especially nice is that all the processing power is contained in a box almost the same size as the Xbox One S. Even the distribution of ports (3xUSB 3.0, IR, optical out, HDMI in, HDMI out) has not changed.

What’s more pleasant is that despite its small size, the gaming console does not make noise when it is visited by heavy loads. When starting a game that is not tied to its capabilities, it works almost silently. It's only when you turn on something running in UHD that you hear the fans making noise. Fortunately, their quiet and neutral tonality makes a huge impression in itself.

The console can operate either horizontally or vertically. Appearance is a subjective matter here. But the Xbox One S looks better, so the One X seems less attractive to me. A sort of small black and featureless brick.

Xbox One X - technical specifications

  • Dimensions: 30 cm × 24 cm × 6 cm
  • Processor: 8 cores, 2.3 GHz
  • Graphics: 1172 GHz, 40 CU, Polaris architecture, 6 TFLOPS
  • Memory: 12 GB GDDR5 @ 326 GB/s
  • Flash cache: 8 GB
  • Memory capacity: 1 TB HDD
  • Optical drive: 4K UHD Blu-ray
  • Power supply: 245 W internal
  • HDMI Output (Picture): 2160p@60Hz, AMD FreeSync VRR, HDR10, HDCP2
  • Hardware codecs: HEVC/H.265, VP9, ​​AVC/H.264, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 Part2, C1/WMV9, AAC, MP3, MPEG1, WMV, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos
  • HDMI Output (Audio): Dolby Digital1, DTS Digital Surround 5.1, Dolby Atmos Home Cinema, PCM 2.0, 5.1 and 7.1, Dolby Digital Plus 5.1, 7.1, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-MA, DTS:X
  • Wireless: Dual Band 2x2 IEEE11ac with Wi-Fi Direct, Xbox
  • Wired: IEEE 802.3, 10/100/1000, 3x USB 3.0, HDMI 2.1, S/PDIF, IR Blaster

Every game changes on Xbox One X

Not all games will make good use of the processing power of Microsoft's new console. Not every creator wants to update their work with new graphics assets and support a new GPU. But even these games will run better on the Xbox One X. I had the opportunity to confirm this.

Games written for Xbox One, Xbox 360 and Xbox will also work on One X, because Microsoft gaming consoles are backward compatible. But, on the new console they will load faster, thanks to a 50% more efficient hard drive. Xbox One X will also provide more accurate texture filtering and edge anti-aliasing mechanisms, making non-responsive gaming a little better.

Real power is seen in games adapted to Xbox One X

Many games have already been announced, with more than 140 of them, of which more than 70 are available from release date (November 7), calling for accountability for the pace of adoption of games enhanced for the PlayStation 4 Pro. Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to meet everyone yet. The developers were waiting for the commercial premiere of the console with the release of patches for their productions. If you have any doubts: patches will enrich games for Xbox One X, and they will, of course, remain free.

However, I spent many hours checking the ones that were already available. These were Gears of War 4, as well as Titanfall 2 and EA Sports FIFA 18. There were also less impressive ones like Diablo III.

It's nice to enter the world of expensive PCs

It's a shame I can't show you their beauty, because most of you will probably be reading the review on hardware without an HDR display and with noticeable quality compression that removes detail from the image. And the sharpness and clarity of what's happening on a good TV is simply amazing.

I connected the Xbox One X to LG's best OLED TV, as well as the brightest one available, Samsung QLED. What I saw on the screen made my jaw sag. And all this while maintaining fixed, depending on the game, 60 or 30 frames per second, in 4K, with an expanded color palette.

Games not only gain liquidity, focus and color. Microsoft isn't restricting game developers in any way on how they can use the power of the One X console (except for one condition: the game must run well on the One S and One). Some simply increase the resolution and set the level of detail in the engine to the maximum. Others go a few steps further and provide entirely new graphics, sharper textures, etc. as updates.

Some choose not to go with 4K, opting for an intermediate resolution and more detailed images. An absolute delight is Forza Motorsport 7, which displays images at 60fps with 4K resolution, active HDR and all graphic settings from PC version to maximum.

This is truly impressive. Especially if you have a good 4K TV with HDR.

What should I do if I have a Full HD TV?

I've read a lot of doubts online about the possible benefits of using an Xbox One X console, if you have a display running at a lower resolution, no problem. The One X upscales images to 1440p, 1080p and 720p resolutions.

Because if the One X is connected to a Full HD TV, it will still display the image in 4K and then upscale it to 1080p. This eliminates the smoothing effect, hence the lines on slanted objects. In addition, all other improvements and therefore more detailed information graphics or faster memory still remain.

The Xbox One X console can serve its purpose as a graphics boost even if you don't have a UHD TV. Of course, the best TV will have a special effect when it comes to picture quality. All this is complemented by the latest sound standards, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Windows Sonic.

What besides games?

Xbox One X, like all Xbox One game consoles, runs Windows 10. This means you can install apps from Microsoft Store. Not all, those whose creator decided to publish them in the console version. So there's no shortage of apps for Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ShowMax, YouTube or Spotify, although the YouTube app still doesn't support 4K and HDR.

This does not change the fact that we can easily play multimedia from popular services in full quality and from the network (via network attached drives, NAS) or from memory connected via USB. In addition, the HDMI input on game console allows you to connect a TV tuner, integrating it into the console interface. And, let's not forget the UHD Blu-ray player.

Microsoft's new gaming console also allows you to pause and rewind the TV signal (saves the last 20 minutes in cache), and also records the last 30 seconds of the game in 4K resolution video with HDR (more only if you connect external memory). One X will stream Twitch games and Mixer and post recorded clips to Xbox Live or YouTube. The set-top box and our account can be controlled remotely thanks to the Xbox application in Windows 10, Android and iOS.

Xbox One X - the ultimate gaming experience

Owners of powerful PCs would be right to deny this. A well-configured PC connected to the pad and TV will likely offer more convenience and quality, as there are many proponents of mouse and keyboard gaming over the One X gamepad.

However, you can't underestimate the sheer carefree attention to every popular gaming console. And the Xbox One X is a console where almost every game will run faster, and definitely look better than other competitors, or they simply aren't available for other platforms.

Many games not available on others include the Halo series, Gears of War, Forza Motorsport, Forza Horizon, Quantum Break, Ori and others. While these exclusive productions mean the most to a console, market research confirms that we spend the most time on multi-platform games like Call of Duty, Battlefield and Grand Theft Auto Online. And Xbox One additionally allows players to stream using a PC and Switch.

All Xbox accessories are compatible with any version

And yes, I'm aware of the popular belief that Sony has the best exclusive games. Subjectively, I disagree, although Uncharted or Horizon Zero Dawn were great, and a next-gen sequel has been announced for the brilliant The Last of Us, which will probably make me jealous of PlayStation owners. But, I definitely have a stronger connection to the Microsoft series of devices, and as a statistical player, I end up spending more time on multi-platform games.

Wolfenstein II, Assassin's Creed Origins and Middle-earth: The Shadow of War are in line for improvements over the next few weeks. Their creators, tormented by Microsoft for its claims about the One X, confirm that these games will look better and perform faster on Microsoft's console.

I have another console, the one that is considered a gaming console

I've never understood this approach, probably because I don't understand the Nintendo Switch phenomenon. In my opinion, game customization is very important. Might not like the mechanics (I have some favorite indie games), but the game's setup definitely affects its strengths or weak sides.

I know there are things I don't need to understand. And if audiovisual customization is critical to you when gaming, then the Xbox One X is a console you probably shouldn't consider. It's best to buy the One S, and you'll save on the package cool games.

The One X doesn't offer you anything - except for shorter charging times, which offers benefits in another aspect. But, the One X console, compared to the One S, unlocks thousands of graphical Ultra emotions. And since we have decided that this does not matter to you, there is no point in overpaying.

Xbox One X is the console that has more

In some elements it will sound comical. For example, the hardware start-up sound, the two-channel pipeline is played a little faster than in the One S, and the console light emits a harsher light (which is not an advantage, although it is not blinding).

Xbox One X costs about 40,000 rubles. In turn, we get a TV with multimedia applications, a 4K Blu-ray player and the most powerful gaming console on the market, compatible with Xbox One, Xbox 360 and Xbox, with loyalty programs like Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Live Gold and EA Access. There's also a decent (free) database of exclusive games, a huge database of multi-platform games that always run fast and smooth, in the most gorgeous of audiovisual environments.

Is the One X the best machine on the market to play on? No. Since some of the subjective issues aren't covered here, like whether you like Sony or Nintendo games, I won't mention the console usability of the Switch. However, looking objectively, excluding tastes and preferences, the Xbox One X can only have a competitor in the form of a powerful PC. ARK Developers: Survival Evolved determined the practical PC-level performance of Microsoft's new console using a GTX 1070 and 16GB of RAM.

After a week of use, the Xbox One X was still a magical device for me. My new favorite toy that I try to spend most of my free time with. I have absolutely no doubt: this console will not disappoint anyone. It is significantly ahead of the competition in every way except price.

Bottom line

I do not regret a single ruble spent on the purchase of this game console. I would have paid more. I had high hopes for the Xbox One X and they ended up exceeding my expectations.

At the same time, this is just the beginning of game developers simply learning to harness their power, although I already feel genuine excitement. I've really enjoyed my One and One S, but I understand the legitimate criticisms of those consoles. One X not only addresses their shortcomings, but also opens up new possibilities for the creators we'll meet in the coming years.

There's definitely no better time than now to join Microsoft's Xbox One family.

Video review of the most powerful gaming console Xbox One X