Should I Buy the Xbox One? - Pros and Cons

Xbox One (controller)

The next-gen console all Xbox fans are talking about, but should you buy one?

Its that time of year again, as the festivities are just around the corner and everyone's looking at their options this year, as to what they'd like good-old Santa to leave under their Christmas tree.

Like most video-game fans, I'm sure you are balancing your options as to whether or not to buy one of the next-gen consoles. Well, I say, good idea.

Makes the perfect gift for those addicted to their video-games, taking pleasure in all it has to offer, which in honesty, can benefit the whole family.

Especially since the next-gen consoles are hooked-up for all sorts of entertainment, including general TV viewing, watching films, listening to music, connecting with friends, and of course, playing video-games.

The following article lists the 'pros' and 'cons' to buying the Xbox One, summing up all those areas which may be causing you to doubt the purchase. In no specific order, here is a list of the 'pros' to buying the Xbox One, and a list of the 'cons' to buying the Xbox One.

Pros

• The ultimate entertainment system, as Microsoft has increased its abilities, enabling a smoother experience for audiences watching TV and films. As-well-as the gamers, as now it is even easier to watch TV and play games, all with this one device, the Xbox One console.

• Kinect - The 'Kinect' sensors movement and voice to improve the way users control the console from the offset, allowing users to tell the Xbox One what to do, for instance, asking it to "turn on", rather than manually doing it yourself. This is essentially a way for users to interact with the console in a simpler, more efficient manner. Also aimed at improving the way we gamers, play games.

• The user interface on the Xbox One dashboard, is designed a lot like Windows 8, so if you're a fan, then this may be a point worth considering. It looks great and you are able to personalise and customise the dashboard to your liking.

• Now using cloud, the Xbox One is changing the way we play online, stopping the restrictions that servers have been giving us now for such a long time in previous last-gen consoles.

• The Xbox One also offers game exclusives, such as, Titanfall, Forza Horizon 2, Dead Rising 3, etc. These are just a few of the great titles Xbox One have in their exclusive collection, at this current time.

• Xbox One in 'white' - For those who are looking to be unique, or simply liked the white Xbox 360, may be interested to know that on 31st October, 2014, Microsoft are launching the white (coloured) Xbox One (costing approximately £350 on Amazon).

• Controller looks and feels great, looking slightly different to the Xbox 360's controller (better in my opinion).

    Cons

• LIVE fees - Sadly, like with the Xbox 360, we must pay a fee to use the online function, costing approximately £35 for a years subscription. Monthly subscriptions cost approximately £5 (per month), or you can pay for a 3 month subscription, costing approximately £15. They are certainly flexible, but still a pain to pay. Although, you still have to pay Playstation to play online through the PS4, costing a similar amount to the Xbox, so this shouldn't be a deciding point over which to buy, the Xbox One or PS4.

• 500GB restriction - There is also a limited storage capability on the Xbox One to consider, as if you run out of space, then you'll have to use external storage devices through its USB ports.

• Still pricey - To buy the Xbox One (alone) at the moment, Amazon are currently charging about £320 and for the Xbox One and the Kinect sensor (together) they are currently charging about £390. 

• Large in size - The Xbox One is far bigger than their last-gen Xbox 360 and their rivals PS4. Not a deal-breaker for me, as it still has its appeal. Its been made larger, due to Xbox's fears of the Xbox One having overheating issues (having been a big issue for the Xbox 360). However, this has prompted lots of console buyers to think twice, as it does stand-out on the entertainment unit.

• Can't play Xbox 360 games on the Xbox One, so don't throw away your last-gen console, since you'll be unable to play your favourite Xbox 360 games without it.

The Xbox One console looks and feels great to use, and there is a strong sense of pride in owning an Xbox One (at least, that has been in my experience). They were the major 'pros' to owning an Xbox One, but their are, like with all things in life, the 'cons'. 

They were the serious 'cons' to consider before making a decision on whether or not to buy it, although in my opinion, they are all fairly low risk issues, that would have no serious impact over the 'high-class' experience you'd have using this particular next-gen console.

I hope this article has offered food-for-thought on whether or not the Xbox One is right for you, as it is important that all the right box's are ticked before making a final decision on whether or not to make the purchase, especially due to the expensive price.

If you have any thoughts or questions concerning the article, or anything in general, then please drop a comment in the comments section below.