The modern day game console market is very different from when the NES ruled the roost. In fact, it took a really, really long time for the NES to gain a revamp in its hardware design many decades later. Fast forward to today, and you see each generation of video game consoles receive variants of a design some time after it has been released. More often than not, the newer design would be smaller, more efficient, have added functionality with revamped hardware, and perhaps even a slight performance jump. This is what the Xbox One S is all about.
What’s New?
For starters, the new Xbox One S will be 40 percent smaller compared to its current generation predecessor. That is a whole lot smaller to say the least, taking into consideration how the original Xbox One measures 333mm x 276mm x 78mm. The now far smaller form factor might actually entice buyers to choose it over the Sony PS4.
To spice things up a bit more, the power supply is no longer separate, but built-in for the Xbox One S, which places it on par with the Sony PS4, not to mention doing away with one of the major pains of owning an Xbox One.
Gamers will also be able to take advantage of 4K video playback from a range of streaming service in the vein of Amazon and Netflix, you can also take full advantage of your spanking new 4K Ultra HD TV thanks to the Xbox One S sporting integrated 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray support. The asking price of the Xbox One S will also be comparatively lower as opposed to dedicated Ultra HD that generally costs close to double of what you would pay for the console. In other words, if you have a 4K Ultra HD TV in your living room, then it is a no-brainer to fully maximize its existence with compatible devices like the Xbox One S.
Support for HDMI 2.0a has also been thrown into the mix for the Xbox One S, allowing it to support proper 4K 60Hz output now. HDMI 2.0a comes with a capacity for a deeper color space, while paving the way for High Dynamic Range (HDR), which should ensure that your eyeballs remain well entertained for long periods of time through more natural colors, blacker blacks, and brighter whites.
Heck, there might even be a slight improvement where processing power is concerned, and we should be able to obtain a clearer picture about this when newer games arrive that were specially developed to run on the Xbox One S.
Throw in upscaling existing games to 4K resolution and you have got quite an impressive resume here...
Which Bundle Is Worth Purchasing?
If you have four Benjamins to spare, then a couple of new Xbox One S bundles that are available from August 23rd might be worth checking out. The first of the two would be a Madden NFL 17 bundle, where you can rightfully expect the most recent addition to the Madden NFL series from EA, as it arrives pre-loaded on the 1TB Xbox One S. Part of this bundle would be seven Madden Ultimate Team Pro Packs as well as one month of EA access. A $349 asking price is attached to this bundle, where there will be a limited time offer for preorder customers that involves a coupon which provides another 20 percent discount on the NFLShop.com. Those who pick up this bundle at GameStop will be able to enjoy a physical copy of Madden NFL 17.
As for the other bundle, this Halo-themed version will see the Xbox One S arrive in either 500GB or 1TB configurations, accompanied by Halo 5: Guardians and Halo: The Master Chief Collection. That is the definitive Halo collection as remastered versions of Halo, Halo 2, Halo 3, and Halo 4 should keep you occupied for quite some time. The 500 GB variant will retail for $299, while getting the 1TB model would set you back by $350.
Those who are interested in picking up the standalone version of the 2TB Xbox One S can do so next month for $400 a pop, where it will include the console itself, an updated Xbox One controller which boasts of a new textured grip, superior wireless performance and Bluetooth connectivity.
