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Why You Probably Don’t Need an Xbox One S

Why You Probably Don’t Need an Xbox One S

As far as “slim” variants of consoles go, I think the Xbox One S is the best we’ve ever seen. It’s an improvement in almost every way. It’s 40% smaller, looks cooler, incorporates an internal power supply (brick be gone!), and comes with some exciting new features. Being somewhat of a cynic, I tend to see slim models as easy cash grabs. “Here is the same console we launched years ago – but look! New plastic! Give us more of your monies!” The Xbox One S doesn’t feel like that, though. New Xbox One S owners are pleased, and current Xbox One owners are excited to upgrade.

It’s cool, but is it worth the asking price? I like assessing new hardware from a layman’s point a view; from the average consumer’s point of view. For enthusiasts and rich folks, the answer is an easy “yes.” For everyone else, we need to weigh the pros and cons. I’m really asking two different questions here, which have two different answers.

Is the Xbox One S worth it for non Xbox One owners, or is a cheap Xbox One the better option?

If you don’t already own an Xbox One and are interested in playing some Microsoft-platform exclusives before Project Scorpio arrives, you’re faced with a tough choice. Do you go for the smaller, pricier, more future-proof model, or do you opt for the original Xbox One which can be had for about $200 if you’re vigilant? In this instance I think the clear answer is to go for the Xbox One S.

Right now the only Xbox One S currently available is the $400, 2TB model. That’s twice what you’d pay for an original Xbox One, but thankfully it won’t be your only option for long. 500GB and 1TB models will be coming August 23 for $300 and $350, respectively. The 1TB One S hits the sweet spot for me, and if I were considering breaking into the world of Xbox One, that would be my choice for sure. Yes you’re paying an extra 100 bucks, but in this case I do see that as an investment. You’re paying for the superior model, a faster model, with a superior controller included. If you’d like, you could also look at this as an affordable media center for your future (or current) 4K TV. This is one of the cheapest UHD / 4K Blu-ray players on the market.

Why You Probably Don’t Need an Xbox One S

Is it worth upgrading to an Xbox One S if you already own an Xbox One?

I honestly don’t think that it is. Yes, the GPU in the Xbox One S is clocked higher and is running faster. Yes, that has been proven to have a positive impact on performance in some games, and will likely have a positive impact on the performance of future games. The thing is, we’re talking about 3-10 fps differences here. You’re not going to load up Dark Souls III into your Xbox One S and find that it suddenly runs at 1080p 60 fps. The improvements are marginal, if not negligible.

Everything else is a matter of convenience. If you absolutely hate the Xbox One’s power brick, then maybe it’d be worth upgrading. Who doesn’t hide that brick behind their entertainment centers or desks, anyway? The new controller that comes with the Xbox One S is sexy. That textured grip is so fancy, and bluetooth capabilities are really neat, but you can buy that thing a la carte. I recommend you do so.

I’m not trying to talk you out of upgrading if it’s something you really want to do. If you just like the way the Xbox One S looks and you want something new and fun, then go for it. Gamestop has a pretty fair trade-in program. You can get $150 for that old 500GB Xbox One, effectively bringing the price of the 1TB Xbox One S down to $200. That’s not a bad deal. I’m just saying there’s no need to upgrade, technically speaking, and with Project Scorpio about a year away you may want to save that $200 and put it toward a few extra games when the time comes.

What do you guys think? Have any of you pulled the trigger and purchased the Xbox One S as your first Xbox One? What about you current Xbox One owners? Have any of you decided that the upgrade was worth it? Why or why not? Sound off in the comments.

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