Why Microsoft needs an Xbox gaming laptop

Xbox isn’t just for consoles anymore, and a dedicated gaming laptop would let Microsoft flex its PC gaming muscles.

- BRAD CHACOS

The first week of May was a big week for Microsoft. On May 6, the company introduced an army of enticing Surface updates (see page 11). On the 7th, it held an Xbox event to introduce the first batch of nextgen games (go.pcworld.com/xsxr) coming to the Xbox Series X console (go.pcworld. com/xspc) launching this year. But what I want is something that straddles those two worlds and solidifies Microsoft’s position as a driving force in gaming—and yes, that includes PC gaming. I want an Xbox gaming laptop, built with the same attention to detail as the Surface lineup, but focused on highlighting the best of Microsoft’s gaming innovations and what’s possible on the PC.

Diehard PC enthusiasts may scoff—it’s hard to look past the epic failure of Games for Windows Live—but hear me out.

WHY XBOX MATTERS FOR PC GAMING

Under Phil Spencer’s stewardship, Microsoft’s Xbox division has doubled down on PC gaming, introducing new features that improve the lives of PC gamers even if they aren’t aware of them. A lot of those benefits are intrinsically tied to the underlying DirectX 12 graphics technology shared between Windows 10 and Xbox, but there’s more than DX12 at play as Microsoft works to level up everyone’s gaming experience.