XBOX SERIES X

Microsoft’s high-end games machine makes a great first impression, but lacks new titles

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU Custom AMD Zen 2, eight cores at 3.8 GHz

GPU Custom AMD RDNA2

Memory 16GB

Storage 1TB internal NVMe SSD, expandable with custom cards or USB

Optical drive 4K Blu-ray

Size 301 mm × 151 mm × 151 mm

Weight 4.4kg

Packing an enormous amount of processing power, yet looking as dull as a NAS drive, the Xbox Series X is the biggest (so far) of Microsoft’s entries into the new generation of games consoles. Its little brother, the Series S, is thinner, less powerful, and better looking.

The console itself is a black cuboid more than twice as fat as the Xbox One X console that proceeded it. The Series X is clean and minimalist and will blend into a lot of setups quite easily without offending the eye.

Getting the system set up is a piece of cake. You plonk it down horizontally or vertically, then plug in the power cord and connect the system to one of your TV’s HDMI ports with the included cable.

When running at full tilt, the Series X expels quite a lot of hot air, and its cooling system is designed to draw air in from one end of the console (its base) and expel it through the other (its top). You need to keep the console well ventilated.

The front of the Series X is adorned with just a single USB port, as well as a small disc eject button and controller syncing button. Round the back things get more interesting, with power and HDMI connections, as well as an Ethernet port, a brace of USB ports, and the console’s custom storage expansion slot.