A new Xbox has hit the market, and it’s shaking things up a bit. This updated console is similar in power to the existing Series X, but it comes in white, doesn’t have a disc drive, and is $50 cheaper. If you’re looking for a digital-only experience, this might be the one for you.

The All-Digital version still packs 1TB of SSD storage, has all the same ports as the original Series X, and costs $599. It supports true 4K gaming and offers Xbox’s popular Quick Resume feature, which lets you switch between games with little to no loading times. Whether you choose this model or not might simply come down to whether you prefer a white or black console. However, if you need a disc drive for physical games or movies, your only option is the standard Series X.

Internally, the new console has been slightly redesigned to include a more efficient heat sync, making it better at managing power and heat compared to the original 2020 release. Interestingly, the chip inside is now built using six-nanometer technology, which makes it run just as fast as before but with less power consumption and heat generation. But don’t worry—these changes aren’t exclusive to the All-Digital version. Every Series X produced recently benefits from these upgrades.

It’s common for consoles to get more efficient over time, so this update isn’t too surprising. In fact, while gaming, you probably won’t notice much difference except for the slightly lower energy consumption—around 11-16 watts less according to tests.

While I’ve been gaming more on my PC lately due to its wider range of games, I’ve had some experience with both the Series S and X. My favorite thing about these consoles is the Quick Resume feature. It’s a huge time-saver. Instead of waiting for long load times, you can just jump right back into your games after putting the console in sleep mode. You can even suspend multiple games at once and switch between them instantly. It’s especially great for older Xbox 360 or Xbox One games, where loading screens are drastically reduced.

Another standout feature is Dolby Atmos support. With an Atmos-compatible surround sound system, you can feel fully immersed in games like Forza, where you hear every detail around you—like cars zooming past or coming up from behind.

And let’s not forget about Xbox GamePass. Though it’s an extra cost, GamePass allows you to try out a wide variety of games for a single price. It’s like having access to a whole library of games without having to buy each one individually—kind of like renting games in the old days.

However, not everything about the Series X is perfect. The Wi-Fi modem only supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which is pretty outdated compared to newer Wi-Fi 6E standards that offer faster speeds. It works fine for online gaming, but as games get bigger, downloading them over Wi-Fi can be slow unless you use an Ethernet cable.

Another issue is the storage expansion. The Series X uses proprietary SSD expansion cards, which are expensive—ranging from $110 to $275 depending on the size. The internal SSD only has read speeds of 2.4Gbps and write speeds of 1.9Gbps (faster when compressed), which feels slow compared to modern storage options like Thunderbolt 3 that can reach up to 40Gbps. Many gamers will likely need additional storage since the built-in 1TB fills up quickly with modern games often taking over 100GB each.

Sony’s PlayStation 5 handles storage upgrades better by letting you install any compatible off-the-shelf SSD for more space at a lower cost. Microsoft’s decision to use proprietary hardware means higher prices for expanding your storage.

One thing missing from the All-Digital Series X is a disc drive. If you have a collection of Blu-ray movies or physical games, this could be a dealbreaker. Personally, I enjoy having a physical media library and appreciate that previous Xbox models included 4K Blu-ray players. If that matters to you too, spending an extra $50 on the disc-drive-equipped Series X might be worth it.

Currently, there are five Xbox models available: two Series S consoles and three Series X models. If you can afford it, the 2TB Special Edition Series X is probably the best option for most gamers because it offers double the storage. The base 1TB model may seem fine initially, but many players will quickly find themselves needing more space and will end up spending around $200 on an expansion card—bringing the total cost close to what you’d pay for the 2TB version anyway (which also includes a disc drive).

Of course, you can make do with just 1TB if you’re okay with frequently downloading and uninstalling games to manage space. But if you like to jump between different titles like me, that process can get frustrating and time-consuming.

In the end, the All-Digital Series X delivers high-quality performance for modern games without any trouble. It looks great in 4K, runs smoothly with high frame rates, and Quick Resume is a fantastic feature when it works. If you’re just looking for something to play major titles like Call of Duty, Halo, Forza, or even GTA VI when it drops, this console will handle them effortlessly.