It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here: Microsoft’s next-gen console, the Xbox One. The Xbox One is bigger and better than its predecessor, with tons of new features for hardcore gamer and casual ones alike.
However, with so many features and so little time, it can be hard to know whether or not this switch is for you. If you’re thinking of investing a hefty amount in the Xbox One, there are a few things you need to keep in mind – here are five things you need to know about this console.

The Hardware Rocks

It ain’t called Jaguar for no reason – the Xbox One has an AMD Jaguar processor which mimics the architecture used in PCs. Although it won’t be as fast as the PS4, it will be pretty close – to help the console out, Microsoft will also use Azure, their cloud platform, to handle some processes which will decrease processing time even more.

It’s a Multimedia Hub

While the Xbox 360 had a few great features, such as TV streaming and the ability to download movies, it was really touted as the hardcore gamer’s machine. With a slew of great games and many exclusives, the Xbox One’s predecessor was built with one purpose in mind: gaming, gaming, and more gaming.

However, the Xbox One is much more versatile. With the ability to jump back and forth between games, television, music, and apps and the ability to watch cable or satellite TV through your Xbox, this machine was designed for entertainment – not just gaming. The Xbox One also has split-screen functionality, which is perfect for those multitaskers out there.

You can still Kinect

Motion gaming is the future, and Microsoft is not about to let their great invention become an artefact just yet. The Xbox One comes with a Kinect sensor that can track more points on a person’s body, for better accuracy during gameplay. Another awesome bonus is the fact that you can use Skype as well, all thanks to the Kinect’s 1080p camera.

A Sleeker Controller

The Xbox One’s controller looks very similar to the Xbox 360’s, but with a few bonuses. The battery pack is built into the new controller so it fits better into the hand (nobody liked the clunky battery pack on the 360) and comes with a USB port like the PS3’s controller – a great feature for console gamers and PC gamers.

You won’t be Blue Anymore…

Everyone can rejoice – the Xbox One finally has blu-ray capabilities! With the ability to play blu-ray movies and DVD, you’ll finally have an entertainment unit you can use all the time for gaming and for watching videos.

In addition to this, the Xbox One has a great game lineup for 2013, including Call of Duty: Ghosts, Watch Dogs, and Assassin’s Creed IV. Unfortunately, the console won’t be backwards compatible so you will literally only be able to play the new games you have bought – keep this in mind, and don’t throw out your Xbox 360 just yet.

Andie Johnson is a writer who can’t decide between the PS4 and Xbox One. She might just Flexirent first to try them both out.