Over the past decade, video game consoles have become more than just a fun distraction for children at home on summer break. Since 2000, consoles have made inroads into the realm of new media due to their ability to play DVDs, among other things. Fast forward 16 years and you find that consoles have become more of a staple in the family living room, relatively speaking. One of those consoles is the Xbox One S. Here are a few reasons why you should consider Microsoft’s latest and most powerful home console.
Superb Design Aesthetic
Whether you care to admit it or not, looks are definitely a factor that you consider when buying any product. Compared to the previous Xbox One, the S model is 40 percent smaller and much more aesthetically pleasing with its panda-like colour scheme. Not only does it take up much less space, its sleek, dimpled design is something that will catch your eye every time you walk past it.
A Great Feel to Match
While the console is the highlight, the controller is, without a doubt, what you’ll be spending the most intimate time with. The new controller is a case of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Not only does it maintain everything that we love, the addition of a textured surface for better grip, and bluetooth connectivity for gaming on Windows 10 PCs is welcomed with opened arms. The most exciting addition to the controller is ‘Design Lab’, where you can completely personalise your controller with more than eight million different colour combinations (according to Microsoft).
Energy Efficient
You can spend countless hours on Netflix or playing Need for Speed and not have to worry about the console sapping your energy. The Xbox One S is more energy efficient than its predecessor, using 25 – 40 percent less electricity. Coupled with being more electrically friendly, the S model performs better when put to the test, giving you the best of both worlds.
Entertainment for Everyone:
As mentioned earlier, gaming isn’t the only thing that this console is good for. Right after you hook up your Xbox to an HDMI TV, entertainment apps like YouTube, Netflix, Hulu and even Skype will all be ready to enjoy in as high as 4K definition. In fact, any HDMI TV will be compatible. Don’t throw away all of your movie CDs yet! The Xbox has a built-in 4K Blu-ray player capable of playing DVDs as well.
Games Galore:
Whether you go for the 500 gigabyte option, or a whopping 2 terabytes there’s surely enough storage space to store tons of games. With over 1,000 games in the Microsoft Store, there’s no shortage of options for the children at home, or even mom and dad who want to tune into their inner gamer now and then. Not only can you download new games exclusive to the console, select Xbox 360 games may be playable on the new console as well.
The solidifying point is that the Xbox One S has been on the market long enough to prove its worth for those who don’t already own a console. For many, it should be the centre of your home entertainment.
