Still all sorts of shouting between the fanboys over which console is better, especially as the Xbox One is set to launch worldwide tomorrow. A clearer picture will obviously emerge over the next few weeks as sales figures, ratings, reviews come to light, and the list of console exclusive games expands. In the mean time, we'll have to rely on specs, like load time, power consumption, etc. In one such regard, the PS4 far outranks the Xbox One.
Here's the sort of news we wish had come a bit sooner to help gamers decide between consoles, but hey, better late than never, right?
While doing a mini comparison between the two next-gen consoles, website AnandTech claims to have discovered that the browser for Sony's PS4 is significantly faster than the Xbox One. According to the comparison, "Both the Xbox One and PS4 ship with integrated web browsers. Neither experience is particularly well optimized for performance, but the PS4 definitely has the edge at least in javascript performance." The site's chart has the performance of the Xbox One's explorer at 111892.5, compared to the PS4's 22768.7 (it's a speed test, lower numbers are better).
The speed is a likely factor in the PS4's higher power consumption. The site also showed that while idle, Sony's console took .45 watts while off, 8.59 watts in standby, and 88.9 watts while idle, compared the Xbox One's respective consumption of .22, 15.3, and 69.7. It also had lower consumption for loading both games and blu-ray discs.
It's not exactly a glowing victory for either company, but count on seeing it regurgitated in a messageboard argument somewhere.
Under the hood, the PlayStation 4 boasts Supercharged PC architecture, X86 CPU, Enhanced PC GPU, and 8GB Unified Memory according to the official specs.
It supports the same PlayStation Plus service as the Vita and PlayStation 3. However, a Plus subscription is required for online multiplayer games, but not for additional media services like Netflix. Sony has also updated the Dual Shock controllers with a touch screen and improved shoulder triggers, and bundles the console with a headset.
Available titles for the system include Killzone: Shadow Fall, Knack, Resogun, and more. You can check out a complete list of launch titles' prices and install sizes here. It currently retails for $399 in North America, and hits Europe and U.K next week. For those of you still without the console, and plans to buy it later, make sure you also grab the companion app, and the system update, both of which are ready to download, before you do.
In the opposite corner, Microsoft's Xbox One launches worldwide tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 22, for $499.
The new console claims an 8-core x86 processor and Microsoft hopes it will take the place of the family room cable box by letting you watch Blu-ray movies and TV through the console, in a "seamless transition" that lets players switch from playing games to watching shows and/or movies. It will come fully loaded with 8GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive.
The following games offered at launch include Dead Rising 3, FIFA 14, Killer Instinct, Ryse: Son of Rome, and more. You can check out a list of the install sizes for all of the launch games here.
Be sure to keep checking back with Gamenguide for more of the latest updates.
