It’s been nearly two years since the PS5 and Xbox Series launched in November 2020, and since then we’ve seen a steady trickle of accessories for these consoles. One of the more interesting products to grace the market is the UPspec Gaming xScreen – a portable folding screen that attaches directly to your Xbox Series S.
However, $250 is a steep asking price on top of what otherwise is the most affordable ninth-generation console on the market.
xScreen – Design and Features
The xScreen features an 11.6-inch 1080p foldable IPS display available in one color variant: white. The screen has a sleek and clean design with a foldable hinge that offers a laptop-esque experience when connected to the Series S.
The xScreen connects to the Xbox Series S via HDMI and one of the USB-A ports on the back of the console. That said, it’s not just a simple plug-and-play design. The xScreen has two latches – one on each side of the screen – that will need to be screwed in by hand to ensure the unit is attached securely to the Series S. The latches themselves are also white, but if you want a little flair, different color options are available for $9.99 each.
When you first set up the xScreen you’ll notice that the device and the Series S connect seamlessly, making the latches seem unnecessary. However, without the latches, the xScreen doesn’t feel properly secured to the Series S, so I’d recommend using them regardless. The latches themselves tuck neatly into the grills of both the xScreen and the Series S. When everything is all set up, you could easily mistake the xScreen as being a part of the Xbox Series S by default.
With the xScreen attached, the additional USB-A port and the ethernet port on the Series S are blocked off from usage. That said, there is a small gap on the right side of the console, allowing you to plug in your power cable still or expand your storage with Seagate's proprietary storage expansion cards.
Losing a USB-A port isn’t the worst, as you still have access to the one on the front of the console. Of greater concern is the blocked Ethernet port, which means you’ll have to rely solely on Wi-Fi for internet connectivity. Drawbacks aside, it is quite impressive that UPspec was able to create a display that draws power directly from the Xbox Series S. Folding the xScreen closed will also shut the console off automatically.
xScreen also includes two built-in speakers, which I found to be unpredictable in terms of volume and not great in terms of sound quality. If you want a good audio experience, I’d recommend using a headset to get your sound.
There are two other optional accessories for the xScreen, sold separately: a $59.99 traveling case that nestles both the Series S and xScreen and makes it convenient for traveling, and a $24.99 stand feet that allow you to place the console and the display vertically. In my testing, I could not find any instances that standing the console up improved performance, so it seems only necessary if you need the Series S to take up as little space as possible.
xScreen – Gaming Performance
The xScreen consistently delivered 1080p gaming. That said, when setting up the accessory for the first time, you will need to go into your Xbox’s settings and switch the resolution to 1080p as the default sets it to 720p. The refresh rate maxes out at 60Hz, which is fine for the portable gaming it delivers, but falls short of what you’d find on a gaming TV or monitor.
Nevertheless, the xScreen offered fluidity while I tested games like Bugsnax, Cuphead, Halo Infinite, and Forza Horizon 5. I felt no input lag while gaming, making it easy for me to focus on what was happening in the game rather than getting distracted by how the display was performing. The xScreen’s IPS display also offers good viewing angles.
The display itself is sharp and vibrant. While not as crisp as an OLED, the xScreen’s tiny yet mighty display offers a solid picture quality. On the default settings, I never felt the obligation to adjust the screen to a different angle or dim my lights to see the screen. Of course, there is the option to adjust brightness and controls if you have a certain preference, but the default settings should suffice for most people.
from IGN Reviews https://ift.tt/vMPaHzB
This could be a real lead forward for personal gaming... Revolutionise gaming
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