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Close to the Metal Ep. 6: Is the Xbox One S the console for PC gamers?

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Microsoft just released a new console. Okay, well, a revised console — the Xbox One S. It’s the first significant mid-cycle update of this generation (we’re not including the minor PlayStation 4 change, which got rid of the finicky touch-sensitive power buttons).

The Xbox One S is smaller than the original. It can support 4K output, as well as High Dynamic Range. Microsoft has even given the Xbox One S a minor update to its performance, which means games may (or may not) run more smoothly than they did before.

These updates beat PlayStation’s upcoming revision, currently known as the Neo, by months. But the Sony update is going to be more substantial, as it will not only add 4K output support but also drastically up the hardware performance. That could leave the Xbox One S in a tough spot.

One trick it has to combat that is its enhanced compatibility with Windows 10 and Microsoft’s eco-system. Many small updates have trickled out to the Xbox One since its debut, and the latest brings official Cortana support, as well as some enhancements to how applications can be purchased cross-platform.

Microsoft seems to the PC can be used as a shield against PlayStation. Xbox One may feel more familiar to people who own a Windows 10 machine, and gamers will be able to enjoy some titles cross-platform (when digitally purchased from the Xbox Store). Is this going to be enough? And should PC gamers take a look at the Xbox One S, rather than the PlayStation 4, because of these extras?

We’ll discuss also this, and more, in this week’s Close to the Metal. This podcast features Matt Smith, Brad Bourque and Greg Nibler.

Close to the Metal is a podcast from Digital Trends that focuses on the geekier side of life. It tackles the topics PC enthusiasts argue over in language everyone can understand. Please subscribe, share, and send your questions to podcast@digitaltrends.com. We broadcast the show live on YouTube every Wednesday at 1pm EST/10am PST.

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Matthew S. Smith
Matthew S. Smith
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Matthew S. Smith is the former Lead Editor, Reviews at Digital Trends. He previously guided the Products Team, which dives…
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