Best Engine—PS4
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Hardcore gaming lovers settle for nothing less than the best when it comes to graphic quality in a gaming console. Both the PS4 and Xbox One run on an Octa-Core AMD x86-64 CPU. However, the real piece of hardware to watch is the GPU. The PS4′s AMD Radeon “Liverpool” GPU can perform 1.84 teraflops/s with 1152 shaders versus Xbox One’s AMD Radeon “Durango” GPU running 1.31 teraflops/s with 768 shaders (still very respectable).
In the case, history repeats itself: The PS4, like the PS3, will have somewhat better graphics than its Microsoft counterpart. The PS4 also gets bonus points for having a removable hard drive.
Best Controller—Tie
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Both Sony and Microsoft upgraded their controllers for the latest consoles, but the ergonomics layout remain relatively unchanged. You’re not going to see the huge leap in layout you’d expect when someone like Nintendo releases a new console. The PS4 added a trackpad and ‘share’ button to its Sixaxis, while the Xbox One controller made some texture changes to improve gripping and comfort. Ultimately, it’s a matter of preference, so there’s no clear-cut winner in this category.
Best DRM Policy—PS4
There were once rumors from Microsoft staff that the Xbox One would have only digital copies of games that require constant internet connection (later once every 24 hours) to play and that it wouldn’t be possible to trade used games. They’ve since had a change of heart after they received volumes of negative feedback from consumers.
So while the PS4 and Xbox One have fundamentally the same policy for digital rights management (DRM), the PS4 wins this category for the sole fact that they’ve never considered restricting used game sales or requiring an internet connection. Xbox One’s early antics show them to be slightly out-of-touch with the consumers’ mindset, and may prove problematic in the future.
Best Online Options—PS4
Playstation fans were crestfallen when they heard that their once-free online multiplayer options would require a paid premium account like Xbox Gold. However, PS4 wins this category because you can still access multimedia apps like Netflix, Hulu, and ESPN without paying a dime (aside for subscription fees charged by those 3rd party companies).
The Xbox One will require a paid account just to use those other apps on top of the required subscription fees. Plus, Sony said that many games will in fact have free-to-play online multiplayer capabilities.
PS4 is the clear winner here. If you’re thinking about getting the Xbox One, Microsoft recommends a broadband connection of 1.5 Mbps—something to consider if you’re choosing between cable and dsl.
Best Price—PS4
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Looking at retail value online, the USD$399.99 pricetag for the PS4 is significantly cheaper than the Xbox One, set at USD$499.99 come launch day. However, the Xbox One includes the Kinect sensor, used for video and audio capture, due to an early design scheme that required a constantly running camera used to detect when people enter the room (again, something Microsoft has since changed).
The PlayStation Eye will be sold separately for $60. The PS4 also gets bonus points again for including a micro-USB cable for recharging your controller, saving you a bundle as opposed to the Xbox One’s battery-powered controller.
Best Exclusive Games—Xbox One
Both consoles have a respectable line-up of games slated for a launch day release. However, Xbox One edges past PS4 due to “Spark,” which has been called Microsoft’s response to “LittleBigPlanet”. Early visuals show something reminiscent of the PC evolution sandbox “Spore,” which could mean a unique take on cloud-based gaming.
On paper, the PS4 wins the hard-fought battle against the still very respectable and powerful Xbox One. However, both consoles are sure to be huge hits.
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