Undoubtedly the latest generation of game consoles are the most PC like consoles ever released in terms of gaming performance. The Microsoft Xbox Series X and the PS5 both feature hardware that is very similar to that of a mid to high end gaming computer. This is great news for anyone who prefers the console gaming experience.
The latest generation consoles are an affordable way to play modern titles at higher frame rates than a similarly priced gaming PC. One advantage to gaming PCs is that they can also be used for other tasks such as web browsing, document creation, and even video editing. For many people, a gaming PC can serve double duty for productivity and for gaming. One common question about the latest generation Xbox Series X | S consoles, is web browsing. Does Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S have a web browser?
The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S both have Microsoft’s latest Edge Chromium web browser. That said, the latest generation consoles from Microsoft is not intended to be used for productivity. This is not surprising when you think about the intended function of a game console. (Gaming)
The Edge browser works well enough for most basic websites and some web applications including Microsoft Office Online. Support for keyboard and mouse is also a welcome addition for anyone looking to browse the internet on their Xbox console. overall the browser is extremely limited, and we would not recommend replacing your computer with an Xbox. The Xbox Series X | S version of Edge looks almost the same as the version available on PC or Mac.
If your sole reason for wanting to purchase the latest generation console is gaming, you are in good company. A recent survey showed that 95% of game console owners appreciate the simplicity offered by console gaming and have no interest in PC like functionality. The inclusion of a functional web browser on the latest generation Xbox consoles is simply a bonus. Most people will likely never use the web browser function anyways.
The lack of PC functionality also helps to keep the price point lower. The amount of gaming power packed into a box that costs less than $500 is truly incredible. To get similar gaming performance on a PC would require spending significantly more money. Of course the gaming PC can also be used for other PC functions in addition to gaming. For some games this matters to them greatly, and to others it makes no difference at all.
Check Out a Similarly Priced Gaming PC
The gaming performance gap between consoles and PCs have been busted. Beyond that consoles are still consoles, and PCs are still PCs. If you want PC functionality, buy a PC. If you want a streamlined, high performance gaming experience, at an affordable price the latest generation consoles will not disappoint. As a bonus Microsoft even throws in a basic web browser, should you choose to use it.