Xbox Series X, Series S horizontal or vertical: Which is best?

Xbox Series X Source: Microsoft

Microsoft'due south current-generation duo, the Xbox Serial X and Xbox Serial S, are at present available worldwide, sporting countless enhancements over the Xbox One family. These technical advancements include beefed-upwardly graphics, speedier load times, and other features, all found inside ii meaty boxes with their respective cooling solutions. And to ensure you lot're taking the best intendance of your console, here'southward what you demand to know most storing the device and whether horizontal or vertical is for you lot.

Does Xbox Series X work horizontally and vertically?

Xbox Series X Source: Microsoft

While the Xbox Series X is often present in an upright position, embracing its nigh monolithic silhouette, Microsoft has shown considerations for daily usage. Information technology includes a design that functions vertically and horizontally, with no bear upon on functionality, based on the organisation's orientation.

Unlike the primeval Xbox One panel, designed merely to sit horizontally, Xbox Series X supports 2 positions. The primary orientation is seen all over the marketing, with its towering vertical chassis and the Xbox-branded power button positioned at the top. Information technology even features an integrated round stand to support the device when stood tall.

But Microsoft has made considerations for using the device horizontally, ideal if tucked in media centers with less vertical headroom. Information technology even has four tiny, rubberized feet hidden on the panel's correct-manus edge. But you tin can't remove the stand from the device — it'due south essential to keep airflow guaranteed — and information technology sticks out from the right-paw side when laid apartment.

The Xbox Series X boasts a vastly different form factor to by Xbox consoles, supporting what the company describes equally its "Parallel Cooling Architecture." It regulates heat with a single, large fan and high air output, funneling multiple air streams through the device. Information technology likewise keeps Xbox Series X relatively quiet, improving overall acoustics compared to past Xbox One consoles. Only this design works both ways, provided the main fan has room for ventilation.

The Xbox Serial X'southward disc drive works safely in both orientations. This was a key limitation of the original Xbox Ane's slot-loading drive but has been fixed since Xbox I S.

Does Xbox Serial South work horizontally and vertically?

Source: Microsoft

The Xbox Series S dons the same versatility every bit Xbox Series X, with vertical and horizontal orientation supported. The design takes cues from its predecessor, Xbox One S, with a single large fan within a traditional console class factor. It securely sits both means, with tiny, rubberized feet on the underside for added protection. While an uneven chassis saw vertical stands become 1 of the all-time Xbox I accessories, they're no longer required here.

While both feasible, our early fourth dimension with Xbox Series S highlighted how the console may better suit horizontal positioning. Unlike the business firm base with Xbox Series X, this console sits tall, with piffling surface area to keep it steady. The slender blueprint tin can make it easier to topple, which is worth considering if in that location'due south a chance of falling. You'll probably be fine, but this slightly more precarious positioning is worth keeping in mind when you're figuring out your entertainment setup.

Xbox Series S doesn't use the same vertical cooling organization as Xbox Serial 10, so you're looking at one bold blackness fan with side vents to describe air. It's key to leave room around the console from all angles, especially keeping that main vent clear. And as an all-digital device, you don't demand to worry about that disc drive, either.

Xbox Series 10, Series S size and dimensions

Microsoft has released official Xbox Series X and Xbox Series Due south dimensions, providing a clearer understanding of how each device stands in the real world, proving especially handy when sizing up your time to come panel with your gaming setup.

The Xbox Series X measures 301mm x 151mm x 151mm, with its default vertical orientation user-friendly if continuing beside your TV or atop a desk. But for those putting the console into an amusement center or whatsoever environment with reduced overhead space, flipping the console sideways cuts its vertical peak to half the size.

Clocking in at 60% of the Xbox Series X footprint, the Xbox Series S measures 275mm x 151mm x 64mm, closer to past consoles. The device is shorter than its almost powerful system console in their respective orientations, ideal to ensure suitable ventilation in smaller storage spaces.

Xbox Series X, Series S horizontal vs. vertical

Xbox Series S Source: Microsoft

Xbox Serial X and Xbox Serial South support horizontal or vertical positioning, and there's no best way to sit your panel. Microsoft has designed the consoles to office regardless of orientation, with no chance of damaging components or impacting performance. Our pre-release testing with Xbox Series X backs this, with picayune variation in cooling temperatures between positions.

How yous position your next-generation console primarily comes down to the organisation of your setup. For Xbox Series X, it's well-nigh crucial to keep the tiptop exhaust articulate, with at to the lowest degree a few inches likely providing ample height to keep the console cool. While the Xbox Series S leverages an entirely different cooling setup, relieve space around the black-accented fan. Over time it's also best to go along your panel clean, with canned air to forestall grit bottleneck up the system.

Another thing to proceed in mind is whether you need space for an external hard bulldoze to expand your Xbox Series Ten|S storage. If you accept an external difficult drive connected to your system, you'll desire to make certain in that location's space between the console and the drive. An external drive can also generate some heat, especially if information technology'southward existence used to play whatsoever astern-compatible games from the original Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One libraries. External hard drives are primarily used for storage on these latest systems, allowing you to free up the panel'southward ultra-fast SSD for current-generation games.

This is fifty-fifty more important as current-generation-just games launch on Xbox Series 10|S, including titles like Bethesda Game Studios' Starfield and upcoming horror title The Callisto Protocol.

Xbox Serial X/S

Master

Xbox Serial X: Everything we know
All-time games coming to Xbox Series 10/S
Listing of Xbox Series Ten specs
What is the Xbox Series X release engagement?
How much does Xbox Serial X price?
Why you can't preorder Xbox Serial X yet
Best Xbox Series X Headsets

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