The xScreen for Xbox Series S, from developer Upspec Gaming, has been making waves in the world of peripherals for the last few months. Initially a Kickstarter idea from Australian-based startup Upspec Gaming, the xScreen aims to take portable console gaming to a whole new level. This 11.6” display boasts the thinnest and least invasive screen solution for the Xbox, all while maintaining full HD (1080p) support.
This Kickstarter project attempts to make gaming on the go a simple affair that doesn’t require the historically bulky packing list required to take your console to a friend's house or with you while traveling. UPspec Gaming provides everything you need and comes ready to go in an all-in-one package that conveniently attaches to your Xbox Series S.
It all sounds amazing on paper but how well does the xScreen really hold up? Grab that coffee, kick back and check out our review of the xScreen graciously provided to us by the good folks at UPspec Gaming.
Specifications
- Current Price: $249.99 USD (Amazon)
- Screen Size: 11.6”
- Resolution: 1080p 60hz
- Speakers: Integrated stereo speakers
- Controls: onboard controls for screen adjustments and volume control
- HDMI-CEC Support: Yes
- Cable Management: No additional cables are needed
- Mounting Brackets: proprietary latches (optional colors available)
Smart Design
The xScreen is an exceptionally well-designed piece of hardware. Due to its singular purpose, everything about the system works perfectly with the Xbox Series S. The design leverages the small form factor of the Series S and builds on the design philosophy of less is more. The screen itself fits perfectly over the Xbox creating a clean and thin profile when closed. When opened two stereo speakers and a simple series of menu buttons adorn the base.
An HDMI male and USB-A male adaptor protrude from the base of the screen as well aligning perfectly with the position of their respective ports on the Xbox itself. Two included latches attach the xScreen to the Series S by leveraging the Xbox’s existing side vents. Interestingly, even while attached, the latches don’t impede the venting of the system in any way. The whole system can be installed in under a minute.
The xScreen doesn’t require any other cabling making it a perfect peripheral for console gaming on the go. The aforementioned HDMI and USB-A adaptors take care of A/V and power and a small passthrough cutout allows for easy access to the Xbox’s power and expansion port. It is worth noting though that when attached, the xScreen does block the Ethernet and second USB-A port located on the back of the system. According to their site, UPspec Gaming designed the xScreen for ultimate portability and losing the ethernet port access didn’t go against their design philosophy.
While I do agree with the logic of that design decision I do wonder why they couldn’t create a USB-A passthrough for that second USB-A port located on the back of the Xbox. Granted you still do have access to the front USB-A port which does support third-party hubs. The trade-off here though is that while it allows you to maintain that simplistic design if you want to plug in both your controller and a third-party headset, like Turtle Beach’s Stealth 600 Generation 2 that we covered earlier this year, you’ll find yourself in a bit of a bind. The Stealth 600 requires a USB-A adapter to link to the Xbox. While this can be resolved with a USB hub you now find yourself needing to bring one more piece to get up and running. This is a bit nitpicky to be fair and something that could easily be addressed in the next iteration of the xScreen.
The xScreen overall is a slick-looking piece of hardware, is well-designed and easy to set up. Having used a few different portable gaming solutions over the years, it’s easy to say that the design of the xScreen is a game changer for those that are looking for ultimate portability from their Series S.
Maximum Effort
The design of the xScreen isn’t the only thing to be excited about. The 11.6” display offers full 1080p support at a 60hz refresh rate meaning you’ll have no problem seeing what's on the screen. As it requires no extra cables for power there is a bit of a limitation at how bright the screen can get but this by no means takes away from what the screen offers. In fact, images and colors are quite bright and vibrant and during gameplay, I had no issues with screen tearing, image artifacts or color corrections.
The screen looks great to play on. Some might scoff at gaming at 1080p and I do understand that stance. However, I would put forward that an 11.6” screen offering full HD support at 60hz is quite impressive for such a small monitor. It also requires no additional cables or power. The fact that it can consistently push out 1080p resolutions at 60hz all under one USB-A port is an impressive feat. Additionally, the xScreen comes with a host of options to tweak the visual experience allowing you to really hone in on the look and feel you want.
Though I don’t know the precise viewing angle support( it was nowhere in the manual or on their site) I did note that there were no issues playing two-player, couch coop. I could also easily navigate menus while sitting almost beside the unit. At the end of the day, it's an 11.6” screen so you won’t be stacking four players up to play but it does support viewing for two people nicely and without issue.
There is a small setup process to complete the first time you install the xScreen. Out of the box the xScreen will be set to a 720p resolution. This is the factory setting for every unit. However, quickly navigating to the display settings allows you to lock in the resolution at 1080p. Once set you never have to touch it again.
You’ll also want to enable energy-saving power mode and some of the HDMI-CEC features. These enable to xScreen to shut off the Series S by simply closing the screen down onto the Xbox; essentially closing the lid. All of these settings can easily be found in the manual online and take about a minute to set up.
The xScreen also comes with two stereo speakers. While they will definitely not blow you away with their impressive volume levels they do produce a decent level of audio without a lot of muddiness in the sound. I was actually surprised at how clear the audio was coming out of twin speakers. While there isn’t a huge amount of low-end pushing through the overall sound is clean and clear.
The overall performance of the xScreen has been great. Its minimalist design makes it ideal for travel or even just moving around the house from space to space. The screen actually does open a full 180° allowing you to actually stand the system upright if space is an issue. I would suggest picking up a set of either xScreen’s stand feet or some other variation though if you choose to use the whole system this way.
My only concern with the whole system actually has nothing to do with the xScreen specifically but rather the Xbox Series S’ top vent. While gaming there is no issue at all, there is lots of clearance for the system to cool as usual. However, if you decide to simply close the lid and shut the system off there is still a lot of access heat that comes out of that top port. My concern is that over time this could cause some unnecessary wear and tear on the xScreen. I didn’t notice any issues specifically in testing and I can’t say that it specifically would but it is something to be aware of. I typically find myself simply shutting the unit off and waiting five minutes before packing it.
Final Thoughts
The xScreen from UPspec Gaming is an excellent peripheral for the Xbox Series S. In fact, it's exactly what I needed to complete the console-on-the-go kit. The Series S with its solid state everything is already conducive for travel and now with an attachable monitor that offers a slim profile right over the top of the Series S, well it really is the perfect setup. Throw in the fact that it's easy to set up and requires no additional cables to run and you have a recipe for the perfect setup. Priced at $249.99 USD the xScreen is a great addition for gamers looking for a portable option.
The product described in this article was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes. Products purchased through our links will result in a small commission for the site. Authors are not compensated based on clicks or commissions.
