2020
MICROSOFT

XBOX SERIES S

MESA
XBOX SERIES S

📜 History & Legacy

The Xbox Series S, released by Microsoft in November 2020, marked a significant shift in console strategy. Designed as a more affordable and accessible entry point into the next generation of gaming, it prioritized digital distribution and cloud gaming capabilities. Unlike its more powerful sibling, the Xbox Series X, the Series S targeted a lower resolution (1440p) and lacked a disc drive, making it a purely digital console. This bold move allowed Microsoft to offer a next-gen experience at a lower price point, broadening the market for their Xbox ecosystem and attracting players who were less concerned with bleeding-edge graphical fidelity and more focused on affordability and convenience.

The Series S was met with generally positive reviews, praised for its value proposition and compact design. While some criticized its lower specifications compared to the Series X and PlayStation 5, its ability to deliver a smooth and responsive next-gen experience at a reduced cost proved to be a major draw. The console's tight integration with Xbox Game Pass further enhanced its appeal, offering access to a vast library of games for a monthly subscription fee. The Xbox Series S successfully democratized access to next-generation gaming, demonstrating that powerful gaming experiences can be accessible to a wider audience without compromising on the core tenets of fun and immersion. It remains a key pillar in Microsoft's strategy to dominate the gaming landscape.

⚙️ Specifications

  • ❖ CPU: Custom 8-core AMD Zen 2 CPU, 3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz with SMT)
  • ❖ GPU: Custom AMD RDNA 2 GPU, 4 TFLOPs, 1.565 GHz
  • ❖ RAM: 10 GB GDDR6 (8 GB @ 224 GB/s, 2 GB @ 56 GB/s)
  • ❖ Storage: 512 GB Custom NVMe SSD (364 GB usable)
  • ❖ Media: Digital Only (No Optical Drive)

🎮 Top 10 Games

  • ★ Halo Infinite
  • ★ Forza Horizon 5
  • ★ Microsoft Flight Simulator
  • ★ Gears 5
  • ★ Sea of Thieves
  • ★ Assassin's Creed Valhalla
  • ★ Cyberpunk 2077
  • ★ Resident Evil Village
  • ★ Elden Ring
  • ★ Starfield

💡 Curiosities

  • ? Did you know that the Xbox Series S is the smallest Xbox console ever made?
  • ? Did you know that the Xbox Series S has a 'Velocity Architecture' that helps to load games faster?
  • ? Did you know that you can expand the storage of the Xbox Series S with a proprietary 1TB expansion card?
  • ? Did you know that the Xbox Series S targets 1440p resolution at 60 or 120 frames per second?
  • ? Did you know that the Xbox Series S supports Variable Rate Shading (VRS) to improve performance?
  • ? Did you know that the console is white to distinguish it from the black Xbox Series X?
  • ? Did you know that the circle on the side of the console is an exhaust vent?
  • ? Did you know that the Xbox Series S can upscale games to 4K resolution?
  • ? Did you know that the Series S was codenamed 'Lockhart' during development?
  • ? Did you know that the Xbox Series S is designed to be a companion console to the Xbox Series X, offering a more affordable entry point to next-gen gaming?