Update: This story was a hoax, it has been revealed. The original story follows below, if you're interested in the current state of the Xbox rumour mill.
Microsoft is plumping for a traditional name for its bouncing new baby, getting back to basics by calling its next-generation console just Xbox. But according to Pocket-Lint it'll have a less conventionally named sibling to play with -- a gaming tablet called X-Surface.
The proud parent will likely present its progeny at E3 this year, and it won't double the digits for an Xbox 720, if an anonymous tipster is to be believed. The insider also reckons the X-Surface will be a portable Xbox, able to run all the games and access all the services its big brother can.
It'll have to pack some mighty componentry into its 7-inch frame, but apparently it can run the latest Unreal graphics engine at a superb 60 frames per second. You'll control it with a normal Xbox controller or its touchscreen and it won't have Windows 8 or RT (like the other Surface), but its own similar Xbox software.
That sounds ambitious, and rather more impressive than the Wii U. Will a tablet be able to match the performance of a home console and run the same games at the same frame rate? I have my doubts, but it's bound to be expensive.
The console itself has been widely leaked, with our nameless friend apparently confirming the Xbox's specs: an eight-core 1.9GHz AMD processor with a separate 800MHz graphics processor.
That would tally closely with rumours for the PlayStation 4, and make both of them very similar to a current high-end PC, meaning it'll theoretically be much easier for games makers to create stunning new titles for both consoles and PCs.
Previous rumours pegged the gaming tablet as having a 720p screen -- not much to write home about this year, with 5-inch 1080p phones popping up like high-res whackamoles. That may be the price you pay for high frame rates on busy action games though, and if the screen is bright and contrasty it shouldn't matter anyway.
What would you like to see from this year's next-gen consoles? Are you desperate for hi-def gaming on the go? Or do you do all your pwning from the sofa? Wish away in the comments, or over on our high frame-rate Facebook page.
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Comments 19
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JohnsonDion1 23 January, 2013 13:57
This is very interesting we are now starting to get very precise leaks about the console, and impressive sounding ones! I don't think I would use a portable Xbox but I might use a console Xbox if there were some good launch titles.
anonymous 23 January, 2013 15:51
How much is this thing gonna cost? something like it would be at least £700. Microsoft aint stupid either this is fake or Microsoft are gonna launch it for £300 which I doubt.
anonymous 23 January, 2013 17:14
anonymous 23 January, 2013 15:51. The reason Microsoft will sell it at a low price is that although they will make a loss on selling the console,they make there money back and then some through games, xbox live and advertising
anonymous 23 January, 2013 17:17
Cnet got punk'd, it ain't true - http://x-surface.tumblr.com/post/41282771026/x-surface-dont-believe-everything-you-read
anonymous 23 January, 2013 17:17
Platstation lV
anonymous 23 January, 2013 17:35
Why not call it XTAB
anonymous 23 January, 2013 17:48
By tagging a post with ‘rumour’, most writers/editors believe they can get away with spreading false information for their own benefits. They are the only ones to gain from such practices, whilst the gaming fans end up with speculation and, sometimes, outright lies.
anonymous 23 January, 2013 18:59
Good work CNET. You fail at journalism yet again.
http://x-surface.tumblr.com/
anonymous 23 January, 2013 20:01
how do these cretins get jobs? appalling lazy. you are supposed to report news not rumors.
anonymous 23 January, 2013 20:30
Guys before believing this article, please read this message made by that said "Source"
http://x-surface.tumblr.com/
anonymous 23 January, 2013 20:36
http://x-surface.tumblr.com You're a terrible journalist. Congratulations.
anonymous 23 January, 2013 20:50
"Update: This story was a hoax, it has been revealed. The original story follows below, if you're interested in the current state of the Xbox rumour mill."
should be
"Update: This story was a hoax, it has been revealed. The original story follows below, if you're interested in the current state of CNET's investigative skills."
You're welcome.
anonymous 23 January, 2013 20:54
Did CBS tell you to run this one too?
anonymous 23 January, 2013 21:21
tbh, u guys got terrored..
anonymous 24 January, 2013 00:09
I'M AS MAD AS HELL AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE
anonymous 24 January, 2013 08:13
I bet this was just to check the integrity of the tech media.
And the answer is:Rubbish.
anonymous 24 January, 2013 11:03
This is a fake people. http://x-surface.tumblr.com/post/41282771026/x-surface-dont-believe-everything-you-read
Jonathan Aze 24 January, 2013 19:54
@anonymous 23 January, 2013 17:48 , i've just noticed that your entire comment was a direct copy from the post realing the story to be a fake. Can I give you the benfefit of the doubt and assume that you're bing ironic, or making some sort of a point, by posting on this article something made up by someone else, that you just copied to make you look like you know something?
If so, well done sir.
Jonathan Aze 24 January, 2013 20:12
Also, as a general point at cnet, just saying 'this story was a hoax', isn't good enough, I'm sure I can't be the only one feeling let down at how sloppy you've been, and feel an apology is in order for your terrible peice of journalism? You could have at least said just used word 'sorry' at the end of your notice at the top.