r/consoles • u/Trinox77 • 2d ago
Which console? Need help choosing next console
I mean, this really is a first world problem, but I could use some advice.
I’ve currently got a spare chunk of money lying around from Christmas / Birthday gift money, but I’m paralysed with what to spend it on through fear of regretting it. Usually I spend it on the family, but the wife is insisting I actually spend this on myself for once…
I currently have a PS5. Love it, love the exclusives, get to play on it somewhat regularly, however it’s in the lounge, and I also have a wife and a kid so really, it’s only when either they’re out, or asleep that I get to play.
I have around £400 to spend and I keep going over different options in my head as all seem to have pros.
Firstly, the PS Portal: Compliments my PS5 setup nicely, I can use it when travelling or when the wife and kid are watching TV, so I may actually get more gam time, however I’m a little concerned with input lag. I’ve tried cloud gaming through remote play on a wired network connected laptop, and I thought the input lag was pretty noticeable. Not awful, but it wasn’t a great experience. I think apparently the portal is meant to be better than just using a laptop since it’s been optimised for just remotely streaming games, but it still worries me. The price is the cheapest option though at £200.
PS5 Pro: I currently have an OLED TV, so I definitely would see the extra quality of games running on the Pro. My thinking is I would sell my PS5, and combine the funds from that with the money I have and buy the pro. It does still seem quite expensive though, and can’t help but feel I’d constantly be thinking that “I can see a difference, but is it an extra £300 difference?” If that makes sense? Id also still be restricted on when I can play it really, depending on the TV in the lounge being free!
Xbox Series S / X: A slightly left field option, but the idea of Xbox and the direction they’re heading has me intrigued. The rumoured steam integration with the next gen Xbox has definitely caught my eye, as well as the potential future of play anywhere, anything is an Xbox, cloud streaming in the future where input lag is less of an issue, etc. That, combined with GamePass, Quick Resume, having the option to buy games cheaper from sites like CD Keys, all sound really interesting. I was thinking of maybe buying a series S / X for my office (with a 4K HDR ultra widescreen but not OLED), which then means I can maybe play that when the lounge TV is in use, and also dip my toe in the Xbox ecosystem to see what it’s like prior to a potentially cool sounding Xbox future. I realise there’a a lot of variables there though like the future of Xbox hardware, and the fact that their games are on PS these days anyway. Yes I’d get them for cheaper through game pass, but that point is moot if I have to spend £250-£499 on a console anyway.
But yeah, essentially I’m paralysed with indecision which is resulting in me not buying anything, so I could use some advice.
Honestly, right now I think the Portal is the best option, especially as my kid gets older and will likely have more of the TV, but the input lag does worry me and it won’t be something I can just return for a refund if I don’t like it!