When I first saw Microsoft's new "lovable all-digital" Xbox Series X last year, I shrugged. While I initially appreciated the new cylindrical design, I was mostly indifferent. I rarely use the current Series X, but still find the original aesthetic less off-putting to the eye than the PS5 or PS5 Slim; I've barely used the Blu-ray Disc drive in the 2020 release model; and I'm not sure I'll be able to use the new Xbox Series X in the near future. But now, with the new Xbox apparently in town, it seems to be taking progressive and regressive steps in contradictory ways.

Ever since leaks started flying around from Microsoft's infamous acquisition of Activision/Blizzard, the Xbox Series X has been dubbed "Brooklin". Perhaps that is why the plans have now changed. According to the latest rumors, the new all-digital console looks quite different.

Like all rumors, the following should be taken with a grain of salt, but eXputer is now reporting that the new all-digital Xbox Series X has undergone a major redesign. According to the site's sources, they have obtained exclusive images of Microsoft's new high-end gaming console. What are the major features? It has the exact same square-edged design as the original Series X, with white as the base color. Aside from the color change, this appears to be the exact same machine as the one released almost four years ago. The ports also look exactly like those on the current 4K consoles, so don't get overly excited about that.

If eXputer's source is correct, one important change to the refreshed Series X is the presence of a new heat sink. In layman's terms, this is a rather boring, but nonetheless important component that helps cool the entire console.

As for cost, the site also speculates that the updated Xbox Series X will sell for less than the $499 Microsoft charges for its top-of-the-line model in the US.

The notion of a Series X not looking like the most unexpectedly good-looking Blu-ray my eyes have ever seen is not exactly a thrilling prospect. Especially considering that Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft's gaming division, recently revealed that his team is working on an actual new Xbox, a 10th generation machine that promises to be the "biggest technological leap ever" between console generations.

This claim is somewhat eye-opening given how big a hardware leap the PS2 offered over the PS1. Still, given that Microsoft is losing out to the PS5 in sales in the current console wars, I don't blame Spencer for trying to generate the excitement needed for the Xbox's future.