I think we’re missing some crucial nuance in the PS5/XboxXS/PC comparison. While this generation is the closest consoles have ever been to PC hardware, the custom silicon for I/O decompression and low-level API optimisations still create a distinct architectural "gap" that raw PC specs often overlook.
The real differentiator, though IMO, is the consistency of experience. As a macOS user, I’ve seen how "enshitified" the Windows environment has become from still having to use Windows for work; the beauty of a console is the specialised UI and the lack of a need to dive "under the bonnet." For many, the value is in staying well away from a Windows sandbox.
Also, I’m laying down the gauntlet: Why is the Switch consistently excluded?
If Digital Foundry aims to be the gold standard for technical analysis, journalistic completeness requires looking at all major hardware philosophies. You can't define the "technical console baseline" in 2026 while ignoring the platform with the largest audience. Whether it’s the efficiency of the Switch 1 or the scaling tech in the Switch 2, it belongs in this conversation and many other DF articles, where like this one, Nintendo is given a scant mention then largely ignored.
It took me a while to leap but once I moved to MacOS about 5 years ago I’ve never looked back. Whenever I have to touch a personal Windows based machine these days I can’t believe how bloated and unintuitive it all feels. Microsoft really was trailblazing enshittification before it started to become so popular.
Alan Wake 2, GT7 and Astrobot are some of the games I’ve spent time with this past week or so and I can genuinely tell the difference. I do have a 75” 8K Sony TV so that does help a little.
Ironically it was Astrobot of all the titles so far I really could tell the difference with without even giving it any thought; I’m towards the end of the game and a level is set amongst lots of green grasses and the clarity and resolution of the grass was just a night/day difference with new PSSR. Astrobot was not the game I was expecting for me to run up the flagpole for PSSR improvements (it is a beautiful game of course) so it was a genuine surprise.
I would say however, this version of PSSR has been a long time coming when really, it should have been what Sony launched the Pro with in the first place. The first iteration clearly wasn’t really totally fit a game-changing selling point to sell an upgraded hardware revision on IMO.
So a welcome addition for sure, but one, now that we have it and can see how really transformative it is, that Sony really should have had ready day one of the PS5 Pro launch.
Really surprised that the Steam machine ended up being the most watched video. I’m yet to fully understand who the target audience is for this thing. I love new a new, major hardware release - my Switch 2 is giving me no end of joy still - but the specs and potential pricing of this leaves me cold.
Who can say what DLSS feature’s Nintendos first party titles may eventually make use of? Because well, Nintendo. However with the features baked into the hardware I’m going to guess we will see something - eventually. It wouldn’t surprise me if that something is still years away though. Because well, Nintendo.
@Lotus_DF with DF analysis pointing towards somewhere between Xbox S/S and PS5 performance it very much has more of a 2020 smell about it than a 2023 whiff. I too am struggling to know who this is targeted at, and indeed, why so much fanfare apart from it’s an ‘open’ platform compacted into a nice form.
@SteamyDeck I guess that’s cool if you’re happy playing old PC games. But I still think you’re a niche and not representing the majority. As a PS5 and Switch 2 owner, you’d surely use the PS5 to continue to buy current gen and Sony exclusive games over the Steam console unless you’re willing to wait for the PC PS5 exclusives or play your games at a lower spec. Your Switch 2 is surely there to play the Nintendo exclusives… maybe a game like Cyberpunk which again is going to run better but be more expensive?
I mean you’re still shelling out the £400+ to play Steam discounted games, that £400 could still be put towards a lot of games on the PS5/Switch 2.
But heh, each to their own, if you’re excited about out it, smashing
I’m struggling to work out who the target audience for this is? Is it PS4 users who have yet to make the next gen leap (why would they leave the PS ecosystem system?). It can’t be existing PS5 or X/SX owners. Surely a PC enthusiast looking for a similar build would just…. build their own and probably do it with better specs? Sure they would be still tied to Windows and wouldn’t be benefitting from Steam OS.
I’m failing to understand the love DF are having for this ‘console’? Am I missing something?!
Hoorah it’s here! Massive congrats on the new web site, can’t wait to be making good use of my new bookmark. Shout out to the folks at Hookshot with I think is a brilliant collab for you, and Sam Machkovech too for the endless hours you must have invested in getting the site off the ground. Well done all!
Comments 12
Re: Review: Forza Horizon 6: PC Ray Tracing Looks Great - A Hint Of The Project Helix Port To Come?
I'm waiting for the PS5 Pro version
Re: Is Xbox Project Helix a Console or a PC?
I think we’re missing some crucial nuance in the PS5/XboxXS/PC comparison. While this generation is the closest consoles have ever been to PC hardware, the custom silicon for I/O decompression and low-level API optimisations still create a distinct architectural "gap" that raw PC specs often overlook.
The real differentiator, though IMO, is the consistency of experience. As a macOS user, I’ve seen how "enshitified" the Windows environment has become from still having to use Windows for work; the beauty of a console is the specialised UI and the lack of a need to dive "under the bonnet." For many, the value is in staying well away from a Windows sandbox.
Also, I’m laying down the gauntlet: Why is the Switch consistently excluded?
If Digital Foundry aims to be the gold standard for technical analysis, journalistic completeness requires looking at all major hardware philosophies. You can't define the "technical console baseline" in 2026 while ignoring the platform with the largest audience. Whether it’s the efficiency of the Switch 1 or the scaling tech in the Switch 2, it belongs in this conversation and many other DF articles, where like this one, Nintendo is given a scant mention then largely ignored.
Re: Windows K2: The 6 Best Features From Microsoft's Upcoming "Please Don't Leave" Update
It took me a while to leap but once I moved to MacOS about 5 years ago I’ve never looked back. Whenever I have to touch a personal Windows based machine these days I can’t believe how bloated and unintuitive it all feels. Microsoft really was trailblazing enshittification before it started to become so popular.
Re: Project Helix Stream: Xbox Game Dev Update Spring '26 Is Here
Watching the GDC presentation left me breathless
Re: Path-Traced F1 25 on PS5 Pro: Codemasters Tech Demo Revealed
It’s great to see Codies still pushing technical boundaries, given all the cuts and limitations placed on them in recent years. Well done!
Re: PS5 Pro's New PSSR System Override Is Just As Good As We Hoped
Alan Wake 2, GT7 and Astrobot are some of the games I’ve spent time with this past week or so and I can genuinely tell the difference. I do have a 75” 8K Sony TV so that does help a little.
Ironically it was Astrobot of all the titles so far I really could tell the difference with without even giving it any thought; I’m towards the end of the game and a level is set amongst lots of green grasses and the clarity and resolution of the grass was just a night/day difference with new PSSR. Astrobot was not the game I was expecting for me to run up the flagpole for PSSR improvements (it is a beautiful game of course) so it was a genuine surprise.
I would say however, this version of PSSR has been a long time coming when really, it should have been what Sony launched the Pro with in the first place. The first iteration clearly wasn’t really totally fit a game-changing selling point to sell an upgraded hardware revision on IMO.
So a welcome addition for sure, but one, now that we have it and can see how really transformative it is, that Sony really should have had ready day one of the PS5 Pro launch.
Re: Digital Foundry's Most Watched Videos of 2025
Really surprised that the Steam machine ended up being the most watched video. I’m yet to fully understand who the target audience is for this thing. I love new a new, major hardware release - my Switch 2 is giving me no end of joy still - but the specs and potential pricing of this leaves me cold.
Re: Is Switch 2's "Tiny" DLSS better than FSR 3?
Who can say what DLSS feature’s Nintendos first party titles may eventually make use of? Because well, Nintendo. However with the features baked into the hardware I’m going to guess we will see something - eventually. It wouldn’t surprise me if that something is still years away though. Because well, Nintendo.
Re: Analysis: How Steam Machine can aim for PS5's $499 price
@Lotus_DF with DF analysis pointing towards somewhere between Xbox S/S and PS5 performance it very much has more of a 2020 smell about it than a 2023 whiff. I too am struggling to know who this is targeted at, and indeed, why so much fanfare apart from it’s an ‘open’ platform compacted into a nice form.
Re: Feature: Hands-On with Steam Machine: Valve's New PC/Console Hybrid
@SteamyDeck I guess that’s cool if you’re happy playing old PC games. But I still think you’re a niche and not representing the majority. As a PS5 and Switch 2 owner, you’d surely use the PS5 to continue to buy current gen and Sony exclusive games over the Steam console unless you’re willing to wait for the PC PS5 exclusives or play your games at a lower spec. Your Switch 2 is surely there to play the Nintendo exclusives… maybe a game like Cyberpunk which again is going to run better but be more expensive?
I mean you’re still shelling out the £400+ to play Steam discounted games, that £400 could still be put towards a lot of games on the PS5/Switch 2.
But heh, each to their own, if you’re excited about out it, smashing
Re: Feature: Hands-On with Steam Machine: Valve's New PC/Console Hybrid
I’m struggling to work out who the target audience for this is? Is it PS4 users who have yet to make the next gen leap (why would they leave the PS ecosystem system?). It can’t be existing PS5 or X/SX owners. Surely a PC enthusiast looking for a similar build would just…. build their own and probably do it with better specs? Sure they would be still tied to Windows and wouldn’t be benefitting from Steam OS.
I’m failing to understand the love DF are having for this ‘console’? Am I missing something?!
Re: Welcome to the New Digital Foundry Website!
Hoorah it’s here! Massive congrats on the new web site, can’t wait to be making good use of my new bookmark. Shout out to the folks at Hookshot with I think is a brilliant collab for you, and Sam Machkovech too for the endless hours you must have invested in getting the site off the ground. Well done all!