To the normal customer, Xbox PCs could still look like a console. They just have to pack them in a fancy box and tack on some special UI, like Steam Big Picture. 90 % of the customers won't notice the difference. Microsoft would have the advantage that they only need to concentrate on one single system, plus the complete functionality of a full-blown windows would actually be a selling point for a "console".

So, I can definitely see something like that happening.

Hypothetically, if the next Xbox is basically just a Windows PC with a home console style interface, I think the market would be fine with that. Just depends on how its executed.

Quite frankly... that's kinda what the X1 is. Its apparently running Windows 10 and basically the same architecture as a PC. Its just not a PC in the traditional sense.

I actually like the idea. The age of "new console" wait more than half a decade for a new jump feels so outdated.
Somehow this is for consoles only. Look at PCs, Look at Smartphones, Look at Tablets... There are innovations all the time.

There should be more frequent console releases, maybe even from different manufacturers. Let Samsung build a kickass Xbox that plays all the games, runs Win10, gets to the Windows store and has xbox live on it. Let LG, HTC or HP come up with new Xbox systems. And of course Microsoft itself. Just like surface and other tablets.

Innovation would be pushed sooo much and I see gamers really benefit from it.

Yes, basically the X1 already is a PC, same as PS4. The difference would be that Microsoft just ports the development completely to native Windows, so that classic PCs and Xbox share the exact same library. Also, you would be able to upgrade your Xbox yourself. You don't need to, you can also just buy a new machine every now and then. Also, people would have access to each and every function of Windows with their console, they can install apps and just use it as a real PC, if they wish to. Remember how Sony made advertisement for PS3 with Linux? That's kindergarten compared to a console with Windows.

The only downside is that Microsoft would be losing income because of licensing fees for the console. But I think, and like I said before this is purely speculation, they plan to make up for that with their Windows Store. It's the reason they push users so hard to upgrade to Windows 10. Ultimately, they want to see most popular apps and games in their store, where they take a cut from each and every sale. If that works out, it will generate a whole lot more money than Xbox could ever do.

The only problem in this is Steam. If they go that way, we are about to see a plattform war on PC with exclusives for Windows Store and Steam left and right. It's no secret that Steam always bugged Microsoft a whole lot. Valve saw this coming, they saw the writings on the wall when Windows 8 came along and I think it's the main reason why they started to make SteamOS and build Steam machines.

Anyway, the future sure as hell should be exciting. The market as we know it will definitely change one way or another.

Exactly, I was saying something similar.

A beefed up X1 is fine with me as long as software is compatiable with both old and new models. In the same way as PC can work fine on older specs or iPhone games between a generation.

I think it is huge. You can introduce new hardware at lower shorter risks. It is a faster evolution. And you don't need new hardware for new games. Just like phones, tablets, etc. In addition, current graphics satisfy most people. Incremental upgrades is the way to go from now on.

I believe the "unified NX platform" is gonna work similarly, too. And that is the true meaning of "unified".

And SONY fans, you better admit this is a good idea. SONY likely has similar plans. Maybe that's why SONY dedicated 4 gigabytes of RAM for the barebones PS4 OS, to receive bigger future updates that will readily ship with PS4s.

If they do sell an upgrade package for the X1 I just hope they actually put "secret sauce" on the box somewhere and just embrace some of the internet naysayers haha.

Regarding older generations playing games which are created moreso for new hardware it has been happening for generations and generations now already.

Been enjoying playing through gamecube titles recently but playing

it is pretty much the most scaled down version of the "next gen" version of the game


The only differences with the X1 and the X1.5 is that the platform is more PC like in terms of being able to upgrade the hardware and then run the same software smoother or more comfortably at a higher resolution much the same as the PC can currently without having to buy a separate piece of software coded specifically for the upgraded system.

Some other pro arguments:

- Developers would have a HUGE audience to sell their games to (PC and various consoles combined).
- No more ports sold as remasters.
- HUGE library of games, probably the biggest you will ever find
- 100% indy friendly
- Marketing costs will not be 100% with Microsoft to promote the hardware.
- The possibility to play the games at absolute ultra maximum settings.

100% agreed. one of the great things about a console is you just buy it, for a relativily cheap price, and use it for the next 5-6 years, and are sure that devs will support it, and will push it to its limits. 

if they are basically making an XB1 a PC, id just get a PC. 

Microsoft can still subsidize the price of the XBox (meaning sell it for cost or even less if they feel like it) ... therefor it would cost you a lot more to get a PC with the same performance.