In November 2013, two giants of the interactive entertainment industry, Sony and Microsoft, introduced their new consoles. Hardcore gamers have been quick to identify the PlayStation 4 (PS4) as their best buy, citing the affordability of games, both in terms of price and shipping, as an example. But, surprisingly, there were a large number of people who preferred to order in overseas Xbox One online stores. Officially, the console from Microsoft will go on sale in Russia on September 5, 2014. But in order to finally figure out what is better to take, you need to carefully analyze the positive and negative sides of these platforms.

Comparison of the main characteristics

	Sony PlayStation 4	Xbox One
Central processing unit (CPU)	8-core x86-64 AMD Jaguar 1.6 GHz	8-core x86-64 APU 1.75GHz
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)	AMD Radeon GCN, 800 MHz, 1.84 TFlops	AMD Radeon GCN, 853 MHz, 1.3 TFlops
RAM		8 GB DDR3-2133
HDD (hard disk)
	Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000), Wi-Fi adapter IEEE 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 (EDR)	Gigabit Ethernet (1 Gb/s), IEEE 802.11 b/g/n dual-band Wi-Fi
Controller	Dual Shock 4 Wireless Gamepad with Built-in Gyroscope	Xbox One Wireless Controller (battery operated)
AV connectors	HDMI (Out) / Digital Out	HDMI input and output / digital output
Support for media formats	MP3, DVD, AVI, MPEG-4, JPEG, PNG	CD, MP3, WAV, WMA, DVD, photo
Camcorder	PlayStation ® Camera, frame rate - 1280x800 pixels at 60 fps	Kinect 2.0 1080p HD, shooting in the dark
	Supported	Supported
	275 x 53 x 305 mm	333 x 274 x 80mm
	About 2.8 kg	Approx 3.2kg
	Blu-Ray (x6) / DVD (x8)	Blu-Ray (x6) / DVD (x8)
Permanent internet connection	Not required	Required only when updating
Number of USB 3.0 ports
Power supply	Interior
Price in Russia	From 17,000 to 23,000 rubles.	From 14500 to 19000 rubles.

At first glance, it looks like both consoles are head-to-head despite the gap in peak GPU performance (1.84 TFLOPS vs. 1.3 TFLOPS). And this is closest to the truth.

Past generations of PS and Xbox showed roughly equal results in gaming performance. PS4/Xbox One engineers have significantly increased the amount of RAM that was lacking in previous models. Also, the developers were able to reduce the heating of the CPU and GPU by switching to specialized chips from AMD with low power consumption.

Of course, players are unlikely to notice a major difference in games. Here, the convenience of using the gamepad and secondary functions come to the fore, which we will discuss below.

The Dual Shock 4 gamepad has built-in speakers and colorful light panels on top of the controller. These things can be used in games. But it is unlikely that we will see them so often in action.

As for the superiority of the new consoles over the PC, it turned out that this is just a marketing ploy that was often abused by representatives of the two companies. It was assumed that PS4 and Xbox One will be able to show a more realistic picture compared to modern computers. But in practice, consoles can only match the quality of picture detail, but not surpass the PC platform in terms of performance in games.

After the war

Initially, the victory in the battle of consoles was predicted by PS 4, since Sony, before its competitors, took care of a strong line of exclusive projects, and also attracted video services (YouTube and Twitch.tv) to its side. In the early months, the victory for PS4 was clear, as Microsoft was slow to remove the mandatory connection to the network, and also postponed the launch of the Xbox One in many countries, including Russia.

Although the news feeds of gaming publications were full of headlines about the capabilities of these consoles, the feeling that this was really a new generation did not arise even after the day of release. Virtually all Sony exclusives were smashed by critics (with the exception of the indie game Resogun). But in this case, autumn and winter hits for PS3 on PS4 were released with improved graphics. A similar situation has developed with the main competitor, with the difference that Sony's competitor turned out to have more strong "middle peasants".

In general, Microsoft has refused to bet on big names. The company's new priority is the console as a multimedia center for the whole family. The bosses of the corporation considered that it was more profitable to make a family "device" than to try to surprise gamers with grandiose game projects at the very beginning of the console's life cycle. Therefore, the Xbox One is very closely tied to TV services and the capabilities of Kinect 2.0.

As of August 2014, Sony was able to sell 3.5 million copies of its consoles (PS3 and PS4). While Microsoft has sold only 1.1 million consoles (Xbox One and Xbox 360). In fact, the PS4 has outsold the Xbox One by 3x since launch. How long Sony's financial lead will last remains to be seen. Given the past battles between Xbox and PS, we can only talk about the victory of a particular brand closer to the launch of the next generation of consoles.

The Xbox One itself is designed to be the hub of the home media system. Therefore, Kinect 2.0 focuses primarily on spacious rooms. If you want to feel the full power of the touch device, it is better to immediately take care of the correct location of the console.

Among the memorable features of the Xbox One is the Snap an App feature in the form of an application feed. In a separate window on the right, console owners can make Skype calls, watch satellite TV, and use the Internet browser (Internet Explorer), YouTube, Twitch, Netflix, Machinima, Xbox Music and other popular services.

The Game DVR block is focused on recording game playthroughs. Once recorded, videos can be uploaded to cloud storage or YouTube.

Following the fashion trends, PS4 has a Share feature that allows you to upload the video recorded in the last 15 minutes of the game to YouTube and share your clips (or screenshots) with your friends on Facebook. It is made in a more convenient way than the bulky Game DVR.

A separate direction is game streaming (live video broadcast of gameplay), which is not yet as popular on consoles as it is on PC. But the amazing thing is that Sony has made this feature really convenient. Forget about capture cards and dancing with a tambourine around XSplit or OBS! All you need to do is create an account on Twitch and click on the appropriate button. Moreover, there is even functionality for connecting to the server where this or that streamer plays. There is also a streaming feature on Xbox One, but they only launched it in 2014.

The PS4 can play movies in 3D (update 1.75), while the Xbox One hasn't got that feature yet, but it's possible that Microsoft will fix this issue soon.

PS4 is compatible with tablets, smartphones and the PS Vita handheld console. The latter can be used as a gamepad or screen.

Games

The main reason why thousands of gamers have been waiting for the release of Next-Gen consoles is games and exclusives. Yet most people don't buy consoles to watch DVD/Blu-Ray video or listen to music.

PS4 exclusives already released include Knack, Killzone: Shadow Fall, Resogun, and Infamous: Second Son. As of August 2014, Xbox One exclusives include: Forza Motorsport 5, Dead Rising 3, Killer Instinct, Titanfall (also out on Xbox 360 and PC), Kinect Sports Rivals, Ryse: Son of Rome, Crimson Dragon, and Fighter within.

Of course, many were waiting for Uncharted 4, Metal Gear Solid 5, Final Fantasy XV, the new part of Halo, GTA 5 (already announced for PS4), Quantum Break or games comparable in scale to The Last of Us. But the start of sales of new generation consoles is always accompanied by far from the most impressive projects. For this case, PS4 and Xbox One have Battlefield 4, Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, Diablo 3: Ultimate Evil Edition, FIFA 14, Watch Dogs. Therefore, you should not worry too much about the fact that if you buy a prefix, and all interesting games will be released on another platform. There will be enough high-quality exclusives for both consoles. You just have to wait for them.

It is worth considering that the average price tag for console games varies from 1500 to 2500 rubles. Content in games with free access (Freemium / Free-to-play) is also expensive.

Eventually

In the markets of Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and other neighboring countries, consoles have never been considered as a gaming alternative to the PC. Therefore, Sony and Microsoft focused on the US and Europe, thinking through the concept of their new consoles (integration with Facebook). When the Xbox One was launched, the corporation's leaders immediately made it clear that they were not very interested in Russia, unlike their main competitor.

Both Sony and Microsoft are closely monitoring player and developer feedback. Therefore, now you can see how often updates are released that improve the usability of these consoles.

PS4 pros:

• already presented in many Russian hardware stores;
• stronger GPU;
• the function to launch digital games before they are fully downloaded from the PS Store;
• the Share button allows you to share gameplay or walkthrough videos with your friends;
• convenient and ergonomic Dual Shock 4 controller;
• there is no protection on disks for games (you can transfer it to friends);
• Sony Russian service centers are engaged in free repair of this console;
• support for streaming games (and watching streams) through Twitch;
• many eminent studios develop exclusive projects for this console.

PS4 cons:

• the price of the console has grown significantly since the start of sales in Russia;
• no integration with popular Russian services;
• a small number of worthwhile exclusives.

Pros of Xbox One:

• control via Kinect 2.0, as well as games tailored for this technology;
• strong starting line of exclusives;
• streaming games through a special application for Twitch.tv;
• compatibility with smartphones and tablets through Smart Glass is made at a higher quality level than that of Sony;
• editing game videos in Upload Studio with the further possibility of uploading the finished work to a cloud server.

Cons of Xbox One:

• the tiled interface of the system partially copies Windows 8, which is quite difficult to navigate;
• the stability of the Kinect is still very far from the ideal level;
• video recording only through voice commands.

Declared for Russia, the price of Xbox One is significantly lower than that of PS4. For the base package (excluding Kinect), Microsoft is asking $399. If the price of the Xbox One continues to drop, then this will be a significant plus for many buyers. Moreover, for the main audience, this fact is more important than an inconvenient controller with batteries or a gloomy look of the “box”.

Xbox One or PS4? PS4 or Xbox One? If you, like me in my time, suffer when choosing a new generation console, then this review is for you.

A year ago, I decided to buy myself a new console. I must say right away that before that I was the owner of PS1 and Xbox 360, so I won’t say that I am a fan of a particular manufacturer. Not at all.

So let's start with the look. Yes, Juan (as the fans called him) is a little bulky and looks like an old German video recorder. However, no one forces you to keep it in an open place, it fits smartly under a shelf with a TV, as in my case, and the appearance does not play any role here. But, nevertheless, the curling iron wins in appearance (as PS4 is already called).

Joystick or gamepad. That's what I think should be the most convenient and fundamental when choosing a console. I went to the store for 3 days and tried on joysticks from both consoles. And so twisted, and that. And I'll tell you this - by nature I have big hands, and the PS4 controller in my hands looks and feels like a child's toy. It is extremely inconvenient to play games, especially sports simulators and shooters, where the reaction of a tiger is needed. So here I advise you like this - if you have rather big hands - then 100% you need an Xbox One. In the hand, the joystick lies ergonomically and is pleasant to use. Nothing creaks, nothing falls off. High quality plastic, all buttons are smoothly pressed.

Well, actually, games. If you are a fan of sports simulations (like me), then you have nothing to worry about, the developers of EA Sports and 2K do not deprive any of the consoles of games.

And in principle, most of the cool toys come out on both consoles. But as for the exclusives, here, most likely, Juan wins. Games such as Quantum Break, Sunset Overdrive, the Forza series, Rise Of Tomb Raider are exclusive to Microsoft branded consoles and are truly masterpieces. The image quality in some games is purely software-wise better on the PS4, but it's almost invisible to the human eye. So this is not even worth focusing on.

For network games on the Internet, you will need subscriptions for one or another console. On both consoles, a subscription costs about 3200 rubles, but this subscription gives you the opportunity not only to play on the Internet with friends and other players, but also gives you 2 games every month (the choice of the developer). Here, by the way, Juan wins again, as he distributes cooler games than a PS4 subscription.

But there's a major argument that PS4 can't beat - the Xbox One-exclusive EA Access subscription. This subscription costs 1990 rubles per year, and as long as you subscribe to it, you get the opportunity to play all full versions of EA Sports games for free. For example, FIFA 16 and NHL16 have already been added to the subscription on April 19, 2016, and EA Access owners can now play them for free. And in stores they still cost 3,000 rubles each. Profitable - isn't it? And besides football and hockey, you can play NBA, NFL, Need For Speed, Plants vs Zombies, Battlefield, UFC, Dragon Age, Titanfall. It also gives you a 10% discount on EA Sports products.

Summarize. Xbox One is the best console for me personally. Its price/quality ratio is perfect. And yet I advise you to go to the store more than once or twice and twist the joysticks from both consoles. A comfortable gamepad is a fundamental condition for a pleasant game and enjoyment of the game hours spent on your favorite console.

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P.S. Thank you for your attention

PS and Xbox are as bitter rivals as Marvel and DC, Pepsi and Coca-Cola and Barcelona and Real Madrid. But, if you decide to transfer from your favorite PC to the console, you still have to make a choice. To understand which is better - Xbox or Sony PlayStation - you need to understand their technical characteristics.

Sony PlayStation or Xbox

Powerful PS4 hardware and software components allow the console to handle demanding games and render a beautiful 4K picture in Rise of the Tomb Raider or Nioh

Sony PlayStation is a game console from a Japanese company. The first version of the console was released back in 1994, the last one - in 2013. A year ago, the developers introduced an improved modification of the PS4 to PlayStation 4 Pro users. The main advantage of the set-top box is the combination of a good hardware stuffing with a powerful software part.

The forte of the Xbox is the touchless Kinect game controller. With it, you can control the set-top box using gestures or verbal commands. It first appeared on the 360 ​​in 2009.

The latest version of the Xbox One X console was introduced by Microsoft in November 2017.

Table: comparison of the characteristics of set-top boxes

Parameters for comparison	Xbox One X	PlayStation 4 Pro
CPU	8-core CPU from AMD (2.3 GHz)	8-core AMD Jaguar (2.1 GHz)
RAM	12 GB (GDDR5, bandwidth - 326 Gb / s)	8 GB (GDDR5, 218 Gb/s bandwidth) + 1 GB DDR3
Graphics	AMD Radeon graphics with 40 compute units (1172 MHz)	AMD Radeon graphics with 32 compute units (911 MHz)
HDD	1 TB	1 TB
Wi-Fi module	There is	There is
Overall performance rating	6 flops	4.2 flops
Gamepad	Joystick Xbox + Kinect	DualShock 4 + PlayStation VR Virtual Reality Headset
Games and content	Less exclusive than PS4, but lower prices. Games are downloaded through Xbox Game Pass. Public xCloud cloud streaming is planned to be launched.	Lots of exclusive games, some of them are quite expensive. Own streaming service PlayStation Now.
Price in Russia (rub.)	32 000	29 000
Energy consumption	245 watts	310 watts
Weight	3.81 kg	3.3 kg
release date	2017	2016
Manufacturer	Microsoft (USA)	Sony (Japan)

How to choose

The controller from the Xbox is more massive and stands out with the asymmetric placement of the sticks, while the PS4 gamepad rather resembles the classic, familiar DualShock

For the confrontation between the two brands to be fair, you need to compare the best that they have. And these are, without a doubt, the top modifications of the latest generation of game consoles.

From the specs comparison table, it's clear that the Xbox One X is slightly more powerful than the PlayStation 4 Pro. It has more RAM and more impressive graphics capabilities. But the PS4 has more exclusive games to offer than any other console could ever dream of.

If you are an experienced gamer and follow the latest in the gaming industry, you should stop by the Sony PlayStation. Yes, it loses to a competitor in terms of performance, but this is offset by an incredible amount of content. But if you're a Microsoft fan and looking for a powerful and modern device with a wide range of additional features, your choice is Xbox One X.

A lot of time has passed since the release of the Xbox One and PS4 consoles, but to this day they continue to be popular and many are wondering what is the best choice to buy in 2018. The question is complex and it needs to be approached comprehensively, considering the characteristics and features of each of the game consoles. Let's go through the main points and figure out which is better Xbox One or PS4 Pro, so you know which is better for you.

Comparison of consoles or what is better to buy in 2018 - Xbox One and PS4?

Positioning

Each manufacturer used its own approach when creating the set-top box, and it is fundamentally different from each other. Sony PS4 Pro and Slim are positioned as gaming consoles, while Xbox One is presented as a powerful multimedia center. It would seem that what is the difference between these concepts, but in fact it is, which you will understand after reading the article. When figuring out which console is better than Xbox One or PS4, you can come to one simple conclusion, the biggest difference lies in the technical specifications and operating system. For many, they will be a decisive factor in the choice.

Design and packaging of game consoles

Appearance is a controversial point, because here everyone will have their own opinion, as they say, there are no comrades for the taste and color. It's up to you to decide - by looking at the photo below you will understand which option you like. To me, PS4 Pro looks prettier - beveled edges make it more modern and even a little futuristic, while XBOX One is a simple black box. Another minus of the set-top box from Microsoft is that the power supply is not built into the case, but takes up space on the table. In the Playstation 4, the power supply is built into the case, so it will be easier to find a place for the console.

Understanding what is better to buy Xbox One or PS4, you need to consider the package of each console.

With the Playstation 4 you get the following:

• Power cable;
• Headset with a single earpiece;
• USB-MicroUSB format cable;
• Gamepad Dualshock 4;
• HDMI cable for connecting to a monitor or TV;
• Documentation and the console itself.

Xbox One is sold in the following configuration:

• Kinect 2.0, but it is not available in all console trim levels;
• 1-month Xbox Life subscription;
• Headphones;
• Gamepad and batteries for it;
• Network adapter;
• HDMI cable;
• Documentation and the console itself.

And here the Xbox comes forward, because at an equivalent cost, the delivery set turned out to be more generous. Separately, kinect 2.0 is expensive, so its presence is a significant advantage, especially in the second generation it has acquired new features. The bundled headphones will also be better with the Xbox, especially since they go on two ears, which is much more convenient.

Comparison between Dualshock 4 and Microsoft gamepad

When comparing Xbox One and PS4, this point cannot be ignored, because your comfort during the game depends on the gamepad. The more convenient it is to use, the better you will play, which means this is an important point when choosing a console. The gamepad for the Xbox 360 did not undergo any special changes when creating the new console, which the fans appreciated, since they had almost no complaints about it anyway. The company managed to offer an almost perfect solution that did not need to be improved. Among the changes - an infrared port appeared, the “hump” for batteries was removed, making the gamepad more ergonomic, the location of the menu key was changed, the cross and sticks were finalized. There have also been some minor design changes. In order to make the immersion in the gameplay even more complete, vibration was added to the triggers.

Comparison of PS4 Pro and Xbox shows that the competitors do not stand still. The Dualshock 4 was designed with all of the past shortcomings in mind, resulting in a modern gamepad that you expect to see in the latest generation of consoles. Dualshock 4 has become wider, has received more sensitive sticks, so it fits perfectly in the hands of a gamer. A big advantage compared to the Microsoft gamepad is the fact that it does not run on batteries, but on a built-in battery. This allows you to play for 6-8 hours without being limited by the length of the wires, and if necessary, you can always connect the charger and continue the game. But on the Xbox, dead batteries cause a lot of trouble, because until you replace them with new ones, you can forget about the passage of your favorite game.

Understanding what is better than the Xbox One or PS4, one cannot fail to notice that the Dualshock 4 received a touchpad, which can serve different purposes depending on the application or game. Another positive change was the appearance of a built-in speaker, which makes the immersion in the gameplay deeper. This perfectly complements the atmosphere of horror when playing horror. An indicator light completes the PS4 Pro experience. So, it can be highlighted in different colors, giving you important information. In Killzone Shadow Fall, it can be used to understand the character's current health level. In addition, at any time you can set the intensity of its glow, which is very convenient. Both controllers have a headphone jack.

Comparison of technical characteristics of Xbox One and PS4

So we got to the most important difference between consoles - their positioning. In terms of power, consoles do not differ much from each other, but PS is much better suited for games and now I will explain why. Both consoles have 8 GB of RAM, but only 5 GB is allocated for games on Xbox One, and the rest is allocated for the needs of the system and this cannot be changed in any way. In PS 4, only 1 GB of RAM is allocated for the system, and therefore there are as many as 7 GB for games, which is much better. But this is not the only reason why the Japanese console is better suited for games. Xbox One vs PS4 feature comparison is not over yet, then the most interesting.

The PlayStation 4 uses a more powerful graphics card of the latest generation - the main detail in games. That's why PS4 games take the lead - they will load faster thanks to more free RAM, and the new graphics card provides better graphics. In some games, the difference is almost invisible, but in others it is clearly visible. Also, a lot depends on the game itself, or rather on how well the developer optimized it. And in this regard, exclusives win, which are much more on PS.

There are practically no exclusives left on the Xbox now, now they are all available on the computer, and therefore there is no incentive to buy a console. But Sony focuses on games that make up the bulk of the company's revenue and are released exclusively on the console. These are high-quality and interesting projects, such as Uncharted, the passage of which will give you a lot of pleasure. Below you can see a comparison of PS4 and Xbox One graphics to see the difference.

Operating system Xbox One and PlayStation 4

XBox Van uses not one operating system, but two at once - Xbox OS and mini-Windows. They function together. Due to this, you can simultaneously watch a TV show and play (using the picture-in-picture function), and there are also a number of other interesting additions specific to Smart TV. This is the second feature that follows from the positioning of the console. The Xbox One comes preloaded with apps like Skype, popular social networks, and a cool browser. If you wish, you can always download and install many new programs, which are presented in a wide range in the company store. There are more of them than on the Playstation 4. Because of this, the XBox Van is ideal as a TV set-top box so that you do not have to buy it separately.

Range of games and exclusives for Xbox One and PS4

Games are what the console is bought for, so we will dwell on them in more detail. When comparing PS4 and Xbox One games, one cannot help but notice the huge number of exclusives available for the Japanese console. The popularity of the Xbox 360 was ensured by the fact that many put freeboot on it and installed hacked games, but now this will not work, just like on Sony Playstation 4. In other words, now you can’t play anywhere for free, all games will have to be bought. At the same time, they are incredibly expensive on both consoles, but there is no longer such an urgent need for disks as it used to be.

Thus, set-top boxes offer equal conditions, and, accordingly, exclusives play a much larger role. There are many more on PS4, including such hits as:

• The Uncharted series, which recently got a sequel;
• Little Big Planet 3;
• Infamous series;
• Killzone and a number of successful PS3 games that are also available on the next generation console: Heavy Rain, God of War, Last of Us and many other titles that are hugely popular among gamers. For the sake of this, many choose the Playstation, wanting to play high-quality exclusives.

The following games are exclusively available for Xbox One:

• Gears of War 4;
• Halo 5;
• Forza Motorsport 6.

According to this indicator, the consoles do not differ. You can buy PlayStation 4 and Xbox One for about the same price. The price difference between the more advanced versions of the PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One X can also be neglected. At this stage, the choice remains as unobvious as it was five years ago.

Games

Time has shown that the PlayStation 4 has won in terms of the number of available games. More games have been released on this console. Today, PlayStation owners can play games from the Uncharted, The Last of Us, and Bloodborne series. More games that will not be available to Xbox users are waiting to be released. Of course, many popular developments are available to both, but keep in mind that you can get more on the Sony console.

Services

Services from Sony and Microsoft are practically the same. They offer multiplayer and free subscription games. The subscription price is also the same. There are differences in streaming services. PlayStation Now offers the opportunity to play over 650 games available on , PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. You can use your PlayStation 4 console or PC to play. At the same time, Microsoft's Game Pass offers over 100 games from the original Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. The cost of the service is two times lower and at the same time, Microsoft allows you to play fresh games from the company immediately after their release.

Compatibility

The great advantage of Xbox One is its compatibility with a huge list of games for the Xbox 360 and the original Xbox. Sony cannot boast of this. Compatibility was added after the launch of Xbox One and was a big plus in favor of the console from Microsoft. The company has made it clear that it sells a gaming service, not hardware. This approach is aimed at the future.

Controllers

Controllers for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are equally good. Games are built with these controllers in mind, making other gaming devices useless. Here it is impossible to identify the winner both 5 years ago and now.

Other devices

It should be noted right away that you can connect a virtual reality headset to the PlayStation 4. You will have to pay for it, but there is such an opportunity. Xbox One users are deprived of it. This is not to say that this is the best VR, but the technology is still developing. Otherwise, both consoles can work with a camera and motion controllers.

Cross-platform

If you own a PlayStation 4, there is no question of cross-platform gaming. Microsoft is very enthusiastic about this, but there are not so many games that can be played on different devices, including Xbox One. There is Minecraft, but this cannot be called a serious argument. One way or another, plus goes to Xbox One.

Conclusion

Strange, but in five years it has not become easier to determine the winner in this battle. Sony still takes the number of exclusive games, and Xbox all the rest. Sony has added a virtual reality headset to its luggage, and Xbox has acquired compatibility with old games and a great subscription. Unfortunately, we again had to leave the decision to the consumer.