Xbox Series X proprietary expansion cards — the way forward or future curse?

Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X Source: Microsoft

Microsoft's early foundations for Xbox Series 10 evidence hope, positioning the console as a frontrunner in graphical horsepower and compiling a ton of cutting-edge technologies. And while only a fraction of the next-generation vision for Xbox Ane (at that place's still a lot to learn), information technology's a formidable underpinning for what could exist the next decade of console gaming.

The Xbox Series X does a lot right, but there'southward however one component where mixed feelings accept settled. Microsoft introduces an absolutely make clean and straightforward solution to expandable storage, partnering upwardly to deliver adorable, meaty SSD cards that slide into a rear-facing port. Only it'due south a proprietary solution, locking out a market of 3rd-political party manufacturers while resurfacing memories of the early Xbox 360 era.

Locking downward Xbox Series X means performance benefits

Xbox Series X Storage Expansion Source: Microsoft

While the Xbox Series X boasts organization-wide improvements, one of its most impactful comes with the introduction of an internal SSD. Where the Xbox One family unit barbarous short due to its sluggish spinning storage, Microsoft adopts a speedy NVMe solution, with upwards to xl times functioning gains over Xbox One X. The SSD utilizes a direct line to the CPU via PCIe 4.0, especially handy for loftier information speeds. Information technology helps deliver upon Microsoft'south hope of almost eliminating loading screens and enhancing asset streaming for next-generation titles.

That setup looks promising for launch, but its 1TB capacity just allows for a handful of games. While Microsoft has outlined technologies to reduce the space games occupy, installations go along to grow with graphical fidelity. That's where the Seagate Xbox Series X expansion comes in, translating the fundamentals of Microsoft's internal storage to a custom external carte du jour.

Microsoft justifies the proprietary storage as essential to Xbox Series X ambitions, designed to "seamlessly" friction match the internal drive's speed and operation. Information technology understandably keeps hardware complexity transparent to the player, while guaranteeing consistency regardless of where games are installed. If Microsoft were to rely on 3rd-party solutions instead, lesser drives could bear on Xbox Series X performance, unless subject area to a formal certification process.

The effect is the tiny guy pictured above — a proprietary SSD solution with a cartridge-inspired form factor. It retains the same shut relationship with the CPU, enabled by PCIe 4.0 connectivity, ensuring the speeds demanded by Xbox Series X experiences.

Related: What yous demand to know most Xbox Series Ten storage expansions

Source: Microsoft

That's a hugely different implementation to Sony, opting to support off-the-shelf One thousand.2 SSDs for PlayStation 5 expansions. The approach allows for standard NVMe drives via an SSD-ready internal drive bay, shifting the focus away from kickoff-party hardware and onto existing manufacturers. Information technology boosts the perception of user choice, with pricing and availability determined by the open market place, rather than the platform holder. And that all comes with college demands, with the PlayStation 5 SSD'due south raw bandwidth effectually double of Xbox Serial X.

Merely non all M.2 drives are created equal, with variances in size and guaranteed to misfile. The minimum performance requires PCIe 4.0, matching or surpassing the five.5GB/south bandwidth slated for the PlayStation 5 internal SSD. Some M.2 drives may not even fit inside the chassis, with no fixed dimensions outlined under the specification. Sony promises to release a list of certified drives, probable on rails for afterward launch, simply adds confusion for the boilerplate actor who just wants to only add together "more storage."

What Xbox Serial Ten can learn from the Xbox 360

Xbox 360 E Source: Windows Central

While Microsoft has pledged compatibility with all existing Xbox Ane accessories, including current USB external difficult drives, the panel substantially demands the Seagate expansion card for actress storage. Drives connected over USB 3.one or after come with hard limitations, but capable of running astern compatible Xbox One, Xbox 360, or original Xbox titles. While Xbox Serial X games can technically be stored on generic USB drives to reduce data usage, they only boot on the internal SSD or expansion bill of fare. It means that for new titles or those upgraded for Xbox Serial X — a vast majority of the experience for most — an expansion card is mandated when upgrading.

Proprietary storage isn't new in the console space, with several consoles cooking upward custom solutions throughout the generations. Simply in a world increasingly supportive of eliminating closed ecosystems, the concept has by and large fallen out of favor.

Xbox 360 Memory Unit Source: GameStop

The Xbox 360 was Microsoft's previous foray into proprietary storage, although back in an era where drives held saves and profiles, over a total library of games. The console's early years saw two mainline units, one with a 20GB hard drive and an entry-level without, instead expanded via memory cards and drives sold separately.

While Microsoft'southward cards may have been amend past blueprint, its proprietary nature saw few challengers on the market. But unofficial third-political party solutions hit with time, undercutting Microsoft'southward own storage devices. A Microsoft 512MB memory unit would fetch $thirty, while a 2GB Datel-branded alternative with microSD expansion cost but $xl, every bit reported past ITWorld in 2009. The same went for Xbox 360 hard drives, inflated over your standard 2.5-inch SATA alternative.

Microsoft would eventually bar "unauthorized devices" via a organisation update, leaving them unrecognized by the panel, with onboard data unobtainable. That fostered a mural where Microsoft had full control, with proper storage exhibiting a premium over could-be open solutions.

Source: Microsoft

Microsoft treads familiar territory with Xbox Series X, likely to ask a loftier cost for that expandable storage. Loftier-functioning NVMe SSDs already aren't cheap, and existing Xbox One-branded storage from Seagate comes at a premium, compared to unbranded products with identical internals. Don't expect these proprietary cards to diverge from the trend, destined to surpass $200 for the 1TB model.

The bachelor storage capacities also remain unclear, and just like the initially limited Xbox 360 retentiveness units, Microsoft only commits to a 1TB Xbox Serial X expansion card. Seagate is an initial exclusive partner, as well, with additional manufacturers essential to diversify those offerings and preclude a repeat of Xbox 360 days.

Microsoft's reasoning with Xbox Serial X remains entirely understandable, presenting a fast and piece of cake solution, accommodating seamless upgrades. But that comes with its costs, limiting your options as a consumer, and likely inflating pricing. The PlayStation 5's open arroyo isn't the cleanest, but for a top-tier device geared to enthusiasts, the final implementation of Xbox Series 10 leaves me torn.

Xbox Serial Ten/S

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