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[Boss Man]

If I wasn’t playing on a 4K TV I’d have bought the Series S. The whole purpose of Xbox for me right now is Gamepass, and a $299 Gamepass machine is a really great deal. Plus it fits anywhere.

 

[hououinkyouma00]

I think the S will sell well because of it's price but I still think it's a bad buy as a primary console unless you only play a few games. Somebody that only plays COD/Fortnite/FIFA and maybe the odd GamePass game are probably okay but if you get to the point where you are adding storage you might as well have bought the Series X and have a better console even @ 1080p.

As a secondary console I can see it being a great option. Somebody that mains a PS5 could have a cheap way into GamePass and some Xbox exclusives.

If you already have a Xbox One X just wait till you have enough to get a series X.

I'd have to agree with this though. Series S from pure graphical standpoint will be a downgrade for people who own a X even if it's an upgrade in every other way. People that are used to 4K I think might be disappointed going to 1080 even if it's double the frame rate for the most part.

 

[reinking]

What is important is that you are enjoying it. Glad you posted your real world experience.

 

[Javthusiast]

I got myself an S and I can only echo your thoughts OP. The design and build quality of the console is fantastic. Maybe they should have made the vent opening white too, but I already am accustomed to the black and white design by now.

After only having the base ps4 during last gen, it is glorious to not hear a thing even when playing demanding games on it, console is super quiet.

Space isn't a big issue so far. I have a mix of multiplayer, big big triple a games like gears 5, indies and xbox 360 games installed and still have space left for a couple more. I plan to use it as a game pass machine for the most part, outside of maybe Cyberpunk 2077 and the occasional third party game down the line. I dread how Cyberpunk will run on base ps4s and xbones.

Will get a PS5 in a year or so, once many sony exclusives fell in price and more of them are out. xD

 

[fersnake]

for a casual gamer with no pc this is a great deal.

 

[Lukin1978]

I picked mine up last week I like it so far.
Hooked up 2tb hdd of xbox one games it's not that hard to transfer the ones you want to play to the internal ssd. Keep rotating them in and out storage isn't an issue.

 

[GaviotaGrande]

According to Linus, sitting 1.5 metres away from a 48 inch TV, he could not notice any difference between Series S and Series X graphics(except when on performance mode*).

48'' is too small to appreciate 4k, so it makes sense.

 

[BusierDonkey]

I hope it does well.

They should make it in black.

 

[AgentP]

If you play on a 32" from 15 feet, the Switch looks the same as a XBSX.

 

[Walter Matthau]

edit

 

[Supmate]

I got my kids the Series S and the game they are obsessed with? Untitled Goose Game!!

My boy is still playing on One S until Christmas when he gets the Series S I bought him. I think it's excellent and perfect for his 1080p screen. I loaded up his fav games, Roblox, Minecraft, Rocket League and GTA Online (really shocked how well that ran). I'm gonna get a series X when it's available personally, but Its really not viable to get a 4k TV to replace the 1080p TV for my boy and get Series X for him when £250 got him a great upgrade and Gamepass.

Quick thought on Gamepass, I had him over the weekend, and saw him playing a Co op game with his friend. It was an EA game - A Way Out. EA access is now part of Gamepass and honestly I would never have thought of getting this game for him yet my boy and his friend had great fun playing it. Gamepass is a killer app in my opinion and Series S, for the majority of people, is perfect for that kind of discovery gameplay.

 

[danielJackson]

In terms of noise, I haven't heard anything this past week and I have played a lot of games for several hours on end. It's whisper quiet, and as far as heat to be honest it seems like it's marginal and nothing feels too warm or abnormally warm. It's quiet and cool. When powered on in a silent room with nothing audible running, you cannot hear the console at all. Nothing.

So your claim is that it is quieter than switch, as switch is audible from the dock on some games even with audio on. Not loud, but audible, 2-3 metres away.

Bigger fan could explain some of it, but these noise things are subjective.

But, really nice if it is really quiet, even if more sensitive people would hear it, it is not probably as annoying as many PS4 models were

I'm just interested in noise stuff and because nobody I know owns xbox one, I havent had the opportunity to hear or not to hear them myself, and probably never seen series s or x live either

 

[CrustyBritches]

Holding the XSS is like holding a puppy, it's so cute and small you can't help but smile.

Series S will eventually follow the same path as One S, that is, going from 500GB to 1TB+Minecraft+$199 holiday price point. It's gonna sell like hotcakes once people see how fast and cute it is.

 

[Bonfires Down]

The fact that anyone on a dedicated gaming forum is interested in a relatively underpowered console like the S I think is a good sign for its future. I’m pretty sure there are plenty of casuals who wouldn’t see a difference between 4k and 1080p or even 900p on their TV, and I think few casual gamers really need more than a handful of games installed at a time.

 

[Justin9mm]

Well you game in 1080p so it makes sense.

For most 4K TV console gamers the Series S is shit and not worth the price of admission compared to PS5 digital edition.

 

[Dave_at_Home]

I've had an XBOX Series S since launch last week.... here are my personal thoughts, and after having the console for about a week. I am sure a lot of people will settle on it just because of the price factor, and I want to give my thoughts for anyone it might help.



The funny thing is I had the ability to purchase the Series X online via Target for pickup, but I found it hard to justify spending $500 on a game console. Orders went live at around 1:20am EST Nov 10. So after some hesitation, I clicked on the Series S and went through the motions, boom -- confirmed. I settled on the Series S because 1) it was $299 and 2) I actually liked the design better and didn't need a disc drive. To be honest, it was an impulse buy really.

Woke up the next morning and headed to Target for pickup, walked out. First impressions was the retail box was pretty small, close to the original 360 retail box at launch. I got home and opened the box, first thoughts was how tiny the unit is and how dense/solid everything is, it doesn't feel cheap or plasticky -- and there's a good weight to it that makes you think your holding something well-made. It just feels good, and didn't notice any creaks or noises when handling it. It's basically just a solid block of white tech and well built.

I am not a big fan of that black circle vent on the top, however I have my console vertical and it looks really nice. There's something about that all-white monolithic simple design that screams clean and modern, and the compact size is something you have to see in person. I think Microsoft did a good job designing this console and it should like nice in any setup. The best way I can describe it is that it looks like a slighter larger white external hard drive or Apple Time Capsule when vertical. It's nice.

In terms of noise, I haven't heard anything this past week and I have played a lot of games for several hours on end. It's whisper quiet, and as far as heat to be honest it seems like it's marginal and nothing feels too warm or abnormally warm. It's quiet and cool. When powered on in a silent room with nothing audible running, you cannot hear the console at all. Nothing.

In terms of performance, games play just fine. Gears 5 with X|S enhancements looks REALLY nice, almost like a new game, and everything runs smoothly. I don't have a 4k TV with 120 hz, but on a 1080P TV with 60HZ everything looks really nice. I have tested a few games via Game Pass and everything has run smooth and looked nice and crispy. Games do look better and run better that are BC from XBOX ONE, 360, and XBOX as I noticed increased frames and general better performance.

The controller has been slightly tweaked from XBOX ONE and is actually a little smaller (Microsoft mentioned they reduced the size a bit, and I can see the difference) and more compact, and the grips on the sides and the triggers feel really nice and add an extra layer of comfort when gaming. It's a good controller and feels good, nothing feels cheap.

The only gripe I have with the console is the 512GB onboard storage. Realistically you can fit about 5 to 7 current large AAA games before running out of storage. To a lot of people this might be a dealbreaker but yes, the SSD is fast and games load instantly and quick, and the console boots super fast. It works as advertised.


Overall I think it's a great console and for $299 to enter next-gen, I see Microsoft selling a lot of these, and I wouldn't be surprised if most consumers have the Series S in their home as the main XBOX unit with the rest being Series X for the more enthusiast crowd. In a lot of ways, the Series S makes a lot of sense from a business perspective.

Don't see many (if at all) people on here praising the Series S, or even owning one for that matter. It's a fantastic value proposition so I hope Microsoft supports it long term. Not everyone wants (or has) a 4k TV, nor do they want to spend the money associated with next-gen gaming. Buy low and great value from Game Pass.

 

[Gone]

I wanna hold and hug it.

 

[oldergamer]

Don't see many (if at all) people on here praising the Series S, or even owning one for that matter. It's a fantastic value proposition so I hope Microsoft supports it long term. Not everyone wants (or has) a 4k TV, nor do they want to spend the money associated with next-gen gaming. Buy low and great value from Game Pass.

I agree with you. I don't have or want an S, but i can easily see the value proposition. Too many people talk about it in a short sighted manner. For anyone with a smaller TV, it doesn't make sense to have a console designed to be great at 4K.

 

[IDKFA]

You know, I was actually thinking about getting a series S.

However

I have MAJOR subscription aniexty. Allow me to explain.

I'd get a series S for a few MS exclusives and the amazing range of BC titles that I can purchase and download (blows my mind that I can buy digital copies of Morrowind, or KOTOR), but I have no intention of getting Gamepass. Call me old fashioned, but I still like to purchase my games rather than pay for a rental license.

The only thing holding me back is the thought that Microsoft might make a huge IP - say ESVI for example - Gamepass exclusive so the only way I'd be able to play is by paying a sub.

Otherwise, I'm pretty on board for getting a series S for the sweet, sweet BC collection.

 

[TheKratos]

I like it but it needs games asap. To be fair this problem is the same with X.

 

[OrtizTwelve]

You know, I was actually thinking about getting a series S.

However

I have MAJOR subscription aniexty. Allow me to explain.

I'd get a series S for a few MS exclusives and the amazing range of BC titles that I can purchase and download (blows my mind that I can buy digital copies of Morrowind, or KOTOR), but I have no intention of getting Gamepass. Call me old fashioned, but I still like to purchase my games rather than pay for a rental license.

The only thing holding me back is the thought that Microsoft might make a huge IP - say ESVI for example - Gamepass exclusive so the only way I'd be able to play is by paying a sub.

Otherwise, I'm pretty on board for getting a series S for the sweet, sweet BC collection.

I thought the same way as you but honestly gamepass is solid at $15 per month including gold. At least you know you will get every Microsoft studios game day 1.

 

[IDKFA]

I thought the same way as you but honestly gamepass is solid at $15 per month including gold. At least you know you will get every Microsoft studios game day 1.

That's true and good for some, but it's a rental service. I like to own my games.

However, that is what's great about Microsoft. They're not removing options. I can buy a boxed copy of Gears Tactics, a digital download or just rent it via Gamepass.

As long as Microsoft keep these consumer friendly options, they'll get my money. Lots of it as well.

 

[lock2k]

We are all 4K HDR 120fps people so it's hard to comprehend but..
there are so many people that just have 1080P tv's and don't intend to upgrade any time soon, there are people who still have and use a Wii (480p?)
this paired with gamepass is going go be quite appealing to a lot of people, even if it's not appealing to me.

I'm on GAF but I can't afford a 4K TV now. Just because you're enthusiastic it doesn't mean you already have the best things.

 

[Arcane0ne]

I picked mine up last week I like it so far.
Hooked up 2tb hdd of xbox one games it's not that hard to transfer the ones you want to play to the internal ssd. Keep rotating them in and out storage isn't an issue.

Same here,i have 1 tb external hdd and its enough. i prefer this than expensive official ssd external storage.

 

[OmegaSpear]

I was going to get the S until I realized that it doesn't have a disc drive. But I'm sure it's still a great deal due to Gamepass