Should I Get an Xbox Series S?

JonnieFandango on 24/11/2022 - 10:57

I've had the original Xbox One since pretty close to when it launched. It's been great and now the kids are enjoying it.

The controllers are getting old. One is very close to the end of its life and the other has never worked all that well (dodgy eBay purchase). And, of course, newer games take a long time to load. I was also lucky enough to get a new TV as a gift a little while ago, replacing one that's older than the XBox. With all this in mind, and the chance to save a fair bit during Black Friday sales, I've been seriously considering getting a Series S and an additional controller.

In fact, I almost did it last night, but at the last minute wondered if I was making a dumb mistake. First, am I or the kids really going to notice a huge difference between the Xbox One and the Series S? Faster load times and quick resume are really handy, but I'm not sure they're "deal breakers". And second, if there is a big difference, would I actually be better off just plugging my laptop into the TV for games where the Xbox One just isn't up to it any more and, instead of getting a new console, investing in controllers that work with the PC?

The laptop isn't designed for games, but I've found it works pretty well, albeit runs hot. It's an XPS 15 9500 (GPU is a GeForce GTX 1650 Ti).

Could the Series S be a good option (am I missing some obvious benefits?) or would it be a case of spending several hundred dollars for a negligible improvement on the Xbox One/PC combo?

Thanks.

Gaming Game Console Microsoft

Comments

  • Nugs on 24/11/2022 - 11:02
    +2

    I'm in the same boat. I'd like a new controller, and the ol XB1 does take an age to load horizon 5 etc. so paying $300ish for a new box seems like a good idea but I haven't seen how fast they are in comparison.
    i was always thinking X or bust, but we rarely play discs and the XB1 is still useable anyway
    .

    • JonnieFandango on 24/11/2022 - 11:24
      +2

      Ha! I was thinking exactly the same thing for a very long time: "If I get a new console it will definitely be the Series X."

      Now moved on to "Series S would be best". Next step might be "I don't need a new console at all".

      • Nugs on 25/11/2022 - 14:04
        +1

        ordered an S
        TGG 12%CR, $30 Commbank, and get their likely useless $30 store credit
        .

  • elcheapodeniro on 24/11/2022 - 11:12
    +1

    Maybe trade at eb games while S is one special

    • JonnieFandango on 24/11/2022 - 11:25

      Any rough idea of what I'd get for the original Xbox One (with Kinect, if that matters)?

      • spackbace on 24/11/2022 - 12:16
        +1

        Around $160 was what we got from memory, kinect wasn't worth much (like $10) but easier to trade anyway

  • Switchblade88 on 24/11/2022 - 11:24
    +1

    $400 for a brand new Series S

    Less, (say), $80 for the included controller that you already need

    So that's really only $320 for a brand new console. Not to mention you can then play both at once - setup two TVs and play Halo or Minecraft as couch co-op!

    Your other option is a used One X - I got one with a couple of controllers for about $200, which is relatively similar to the Series S, but then you have to deal with people and stick drift and lack of warranty etc that might be significant issues.

  • dasher86 on 24/11/2022 - 11:25
    +1

    To me a series s upgrade is a no brainer if you have a faulty controller.

    Currently ~$400 and comes with new warranty and a controller.
    Controllers are about ~$80 on their own.

    As above consider trading in the other Xbox.

    Better than using a laptop and getting separate controllers for it.

  • Buttocks on 24/11/2022 - 11:39
    +1

    While xbox game pass is good I stopped it because too expensive month on month. My preference is to buy game usually pre owned from eb games if and when want a new game. I understand you can buy electronic download games from MS which have done because my xbox 1s has 2TB hard drive. Series S for me is just so limiting almost like having a kangaroo that doesn't hop. Most series s I have seen BF deal are 500gb so then need to buy expensive expansion for future proofing. Series X is so expensive might as well get gaming PC or laptop. I am sticking with xbox 1s for the time being. Everyone's needs are different though. Good luck.

    • spackbace on 24/11/2022 - 12:17
      +1

      While xbox game pass is good I stopped it because too expensive month on month.

      You're doing it wrong then. It's pretty easy to get it for $40-$50/year with the right workaround

      • Buttocks on 24/11/2022 - 12:20

        We talking about ultimate game pass for $40/50 per year? Please explain workaround.

        • spackbace on 24/11/2022 - 12:22

          https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/725592
          https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/717378 (no cheap 3 month codes currently from a quick look)

          Load up on the 3 years and forget about it for a while :)

          • Doy on 24/11/2022 - 13:01

            @spackbace: @spackbace
            @Danstar

            Do either of you know the max amount of years you can have loaded up?
            I bought 3 years worth and used a bit over 1 year now - wondering when I should buy another 3 years worth.

            • spackbace on 24/11/2022 - 13:02
              +1

              @Doy: Max is 3 years, anything over that is wasted

              I'd say don't bother until it's due to expire, or an impending price increase. Who knows what could happen with it over the coming years.

            • Danstar on 24/11/2022 - 14:01
              +1

              @Doy: Best to do it when you're about to expire; as you can't do the Xbox Live Gold method while having an active Ultimate Game Pass sub.

          • Buttocks on 24/11/2022 - 16:21
            +1

            @spackbace: @spackbace. Thanks for heads up.

        • Danstar on 24/11/2022 - 12:39

          Can confirm this still works; recently added 3 years to 2 different accounts.

          More details here also:
          https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/654519

  • cafeman on 24/11/2022 - 11:44
    +1

    An S is a great purchase with Game Pass - it's portable, it's cheap, and it comes with a controller. If you decide you love it well enough to upgrade, you can play co-op on a second screen or monitor!

    If you need to replace a controller, like another poster said it's almost a no-brainer.

  • SnowDragon on 24/11/2022 - 12:07
    +1

    If you're happy to game at 1080p/60fps and have GamePass then the Series S is great.
    You can get them for around $300-350 second hand and barely used.

    They also double as an emulation machine basically up to PS2 and Wii games.

  • Ghost47 on 24/11/2022 - 12:25
    -6

    Lol, no. Buy a PlayStation. Any one will be better than an Xbox.

  • donkcat on 24/11/2022 - 12:56
    +1

    There are so many ways to get the S at a great deal atm, everywhere has it $399 for black friday then on top of that you have these options
    AMEX cashback deal from Microsoft
    15% off home gift cards to use at JB or TGG
    10% off Amazon gift cards at ALDI.

    • JonnieFandango on 24/11/2022 - 13:01

      The Amex deal is the one I very nearly went with yesterday. Really enticing.

      My main concern is that I get the Series S back, try it out and realise "Oh, this is no different to plugging the PC into the TV".

      • dasher86 on 24/11/2022 - 14:31

        Is it any different to the Xbox you have now to plugging in the PC?

        • JonnieFandango on 24/11/2022 - 15:07

          For some games I think playing on the TV via the PC is better. With something like Apex, for example, everything looks crisper, there are no weird rendering glitches in the distance and I feel everything's a bit more responsive (I presume that's the FPS). It's a bit of a pain setting it up and having a cord dangling from PC onto the couch, but it's not unberable.

  • gekko33 on 24/11/2022 - 13:16

    Without meaning to hijack this forum, permit me to ask a stupid, yet somewhat related question:

    There is only one model of the Xbox Series S console, right?

    I was planning to buy one from Amazon Au, but notice they call it 'Xbox Series S Console'.

    Other retailers (Big W, JB Hifi) refer to it as 'Xbox Series S 512GB Console'.

    Got my paranoid mind wondering if they were indeed the exact same model or different.

    Thanks from a newbie/idiot.

    • spackbace on 24/11/2022 - 13:59

      Yep, only 1 model

  • AustriaBargain on 24/11/2022 - 13:21

    Life is good, but it could be better. Get the XSX.

  • Mike0707 on 24/11/2022 - 14:59
    +2

    Yeah get it, its a great overall powerful machine that you won't regret. Option of cheaper games because it has a disc drive and then just game pass for the rest.

  • solidussnake on 24/11/2022 - 17:44

    If you are going to hold onto it for a long time I would pony up for the Series X, double the HDD storage, way better performance, disc drive, able to play cheap second hand games etc

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