Xbox Series X hands-on preview: slick, fast and silent

impressive backward compatibility feature also bode well for the Xbox Series X in the struggle with PS5 Sony

A new console generation is almost upon us, and this time, Microsoft is the first out of the gate. Xbox Xbox Series X and Series S launch globally on Nov. 10, PS5 beat Sony to the punch by the possibility of an important two-to-nine days (depending on region).

In many ways, this is an unusual product launch though. Mid-generation Xbox One X change at a significant power boost for Xbox One, make this leap may seem, at first glance, more repetitive than the transition from Xbox 360 to Xbox One is.

Meanwhile, the decision to release two discrete units in the form of disk-based all-powerful and all-digital X Series, S Series spec lowering the risk of rupture in the public perception at least, if not outright confuse potential consumer base.

We now have hands-on time with the X Series for several weeks, and it's safe to say the improvement is obvious.

Our unit has been put through its paces is the final hardware models, though not running firmware or OS it will be at launch. Thus, this preview is an experience that is non-final and can not be regarded as a definitive decision on the Series review X. Microsoft confirms launch of the update will take until the end of Series X, a retail version in line with what consumers will experience in the release, and we will reflect this in our main review. We also hope to have time with the S series in the near future.

Desing

The hardware itself has been lampooned for, form a cube shaped box, but in reality it was not memorable or severe as it may appear. In the horizontal orientation, that is - and please pay attention here, designers console of the future - the majority of users will have the Xbox Series X founded, because that is how the media unit that most people are designed, it is slightly narrower than the Xbox One X, and more than half as deep. trail is, surprisingly, a small friendly, although you will need a 17-20cm vertical space between the shelves to comfortably house is high, and even laid flat.

Although the size to be less of a problem than expected, the X Series is still the sexiest console ever designed, though we're sure the minimalist aesthetic and a sharp, clean lines will get some fans. The front of the slim, with only one USB port, disc drives, controller sync button, and the power button - which, unfortunately, does not rotate to horizontal orientation, leaving X pointing to the right - take up space.

the back is the same tidy, with two USB 3.1 ports, S / PDIF out, ethernet, HDMI and electrical sockets, and storage expansion slot - more on that shortly - all neatly lined up.

Controller

Perhaps more important than the console box itself though is the controller, because it is what the players will spend the majority of their time to physically interact with.

In many ways, the controller Xbox has become the industry standard - Turning Pro Controller Nintendo and third party controller for PC gaming untold already mimic the layout. Thus, this generation Model - Series X and Series S will use the same device - opts for the "if it is not broke" approach, with only minor changes which refine what is already working.

The biggest difference is in front tactile grip on the bottom. Now it feels rough, with a smooth grip studded pattern ensures that the controller sit more firmly and comfortably in your hand, even in the tensest gaming sessions. This pattern is replicated on the trigger grip - which is said to be more responsive, potentially allowing tricks such good control precision weapons in the game - and the edge of the shoulder bumper.

In practical terms, the most important change is to the D-pad, now eight-way rocker than four intersections. Four points cardinal points raised, allowing for precise input on a 2D game, while clicks very satisfactory in all eight points provide a smooth haptic response. A 'Share' button in the front, wisely placed away from the slip thumb naughty, is the only addition, but instead Series X / S remnants controller as good as ever.

Although the controller is still not replenished itself, as always require 2xAA batteries, a good compromise is the USB port-C at the top. This will allow power and data flows through a USB cable-C - on PC or Xbox Series X - but also to recharge battery packs that fit while on the controller.

We've not had a chance to test this ourselves - we have to use regular, external AA rechargeable batteries - but a nice feature that can help reduce waste batteries, although it will require the purchase of batteries and wires a separate device.

Set-Up

On the software side, the console set is a relatively painless process. A new Xbox app, available on Android and iOS can do most of the work for you, even transfer your console settings from your Xbox One, and warn you once everything is ready to go.

If you choose not to use an application, set it can be done entirely on the console, and not very different from the Xbox One. Also, at this time, is the user interface - for the preview window, in fact, identical to the layout of the Xbox One, although this will change for the best comfort. We will report more on how dashboard interfaces Series X and work in our final review.

gameplay

The most important question though is: how Xbox Series X play? To which the answer is: we still decided.

For the preview window, this game is optimized for X Series has a relatively short supply. Of those, there are hints of greatness though - Codemasters' racer Dirt 5 looks stunning, bordering with photo-realistic, while Sega Yakuza: Like the Dragon is more of a mixed bag, showing hints of being developed for next-generation consoles in the character models, but also offer Tokyo staggeringly complex and detailed for them to inhabit.

We will be looking forward to see how people like Assassin's Creed: Valhalla take advantage of the many strengths of pride Series X, including 4K visual 120fps.

Instead, most of the emphasis during the preview time we had in compatibility features X Series, which seriously impressed. There is already a list of nearly 1,200 titles from the original Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One will be compatible soon (expect more with the launch day), ensuring most buyers who upgrade will have quite a large library of software from day one. Game saves even transfer seamlessly through the cloud, allowing you to pick up where you left off without any hassle.

Speed

What is important - and this applies to some games X Series available to us so far, as well as compatible titles - is the speed of the console. Across the board, the game is installed locally on the launch and load faster than the Xbox One X. 1TB SSD NVMe We're not quite talking instant-on, straight to the start screen as soon as you select a game, but we are also not very far from it.

We are also more impressed than we expected it to be by the Quick Resume feature, which allows some games postponed and come back to. This is great for players to jump between multiple games and even feature the title resumes where you left them after a full reboot the console - no more lost progress when you need to perform a system update.

Warning, though: it seems not yet working on the Xbox 360 or the previous title. 360 version of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night was launched from scratch after the other match has been played, although some other games will be happy to still use the Quick Resume. Hopefully this will be discussed.

1TB expansion drive

Part of the speed benefits derived from the switch to solid state storage for X Series, which brings us to one of the most interesting aspects of the new hardware, expansion 1TB drives, produced in partnership with Seagate.

It is also one thing that we have the most concerns about prior to getting our hands on one, but now we are (almost) converted. Drive is small - smaller than original PlayStation memory cards - Slot to the rear of the console, but not only offers more storage, their crucial function exactly the same as the internal SSD.

This means they are just as fast, both in terms of data transfer - only need 1m: 02s to move the game 40GB of internal storage to drive expansion - and in running a game natively. Micro miracle can play games optimized for Series X of the drive itself.

We saw no difference in the performance of running Dirt Yakuza 5 or the main drive or expansion of Seagate. While the X Series also supports external USB 3.1 drive, this is just not going fast enough to run the X Series games (though they will run the Xbox One or more of the previous game, and can be used to store the X series games).

Given the internal drive 1TB possibility to fill up quickly with the game next-gen, expansion Seagate may be a great option to save a lot of titles, especially because they can be 'hot swapped', which allows you to switch the drive around at will if you have multiple cards expansion.

The only setback - and one thing stopping us being the number of converts - is the price. At £ 219.99, they are not cheap, and it's hard to justify almost half the price of the console itself is only for more storage.

Conclusion

In terms of active performance when running games, the most immediately impressive nature of the X Series is how it's whisper quiet. Even the One X, which increased dramatically in the original Xbox One model is very windy sounds, put out more noise than this.

If not for the light of the power button, people may forget the console even powerful. Early reports that the console physically walk the heat is not entirely unfounded, but in the week we've had with the console, it never got more than a little warm to the touch. So far, we have no reason for concern, but we will keep a close eye as we test dedicated next-gen game.

At this stage, we were quite impressed with the Xbox Series X, especially the speed, silence and Quick Resume feature. It's not big and strong as we feared, and broad support backwards compatibility is especially pleasant.

How it fares when running true next-gen game will be the final test though, and for that we reserve final judgment for our upcoming review.