The Xbox One will be launching locally so soon. It’s an exciting time and I can’t wait to get my hands on the console. I’m sure many people will be opting for the cheaper, Kinect-less Xbox One, but is there a problem with the console when it can’t see or hear you?
Remember when Microsoft said that they couldn’t just remove the Kinect? Well, they managed to do it, giving consumers more purchasing choices. With an appealing price point locally, I’m sure that version of the console will sell well – but it might not be as great a choice as we imagine.
Over on NeoGAF, a bunch of people were discussing a problem with the Xbox One without Kinect. Now, this applies to the original Xbox One when the Kinect was unplugged as well as the new Kinect-less Xbox One consoles. Apparently, while on the dashboard, the Xbox One becomes incredibly loud and sounds like an old-school hard drive booting up. Twitter user @attackslug managed to grab a decibel count on the noise:
60 decibels is approximately as loud as normal conversation or laughter. That’s pretty loud for a device that isn’t doing anything. As soon as users start playing a game, the sound goes away – it appears to only be an issue when the console is on but not in use for gaming. While not all consoles are affected, some of the original batch of Xbox Ones are showing is, as are a large number of those sent to Scandinavian countries. Over on the Xbox forum, users are being instructed to return their consoles to the retailers or arrange for a repair. However, with such a widespread problem, we have to wonder if the cheaper console is made of cheaper parts. Will this be a problem when the console launches locally, or is it something that Microsoft can fix before then?
The new consoles haven’t been smooth sailing for everyone. I’ve heard reports about PS4s and Xbox Ones breaking early on in the life cycle. While there will always be some machinery faults – it’s statistically impossible to make every console perfect – I wonder if this console generation is better or worse than the previous one. While the noise issue definitely sounds irritating, at least it’s better than Xbox’s previous RRoD fail.
Last Updated: September 9, 2014
Lardus-Resident Perve
September 9, 2014 at 21:52
Ag, let me give Zoe a comment. You know, just in case nobody else sees this article! My one colleague is helluva excited about his XBone. Still not 100% which one I will be getting. Last comment until I get back from NZ – go BOKKE!
Admiral Chief Assassin
September 10, 2014 at 07:48
Enjoy!
Rinceable
September 10, 2014 at 06:20
Wish. Time to buy an iPhone…
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 10, 2014 at 09:22
Is it really that bad now?
Kevin Govindsamy
September 10, 2014 at 06:56
Hi,
Long time reader – I just got my Xbox One here in Dubai (Killer Deal!!!). It is the one without the Kinect. No noise issues at all.
Admiral Chief Assassin
September 10, 2014 at 07:48
How much did you pay?
Kevin Govindsamy
September 10, 2014 at 07:56
worked out to about R5000 with 5 games – Forza 5, Fifa 15, Halo Spartan Assault, Max Curse of the Brotherhood and Lococycle. All have to be downloaded though 🙁
Xcalibersa
September 10, 2014 at 08:58
Why would any one do that? Unless you stay there. MS will not support any warranty. ( I am assuming its like Partserve). So what happens if your product gives you a problem?
Kevin Govindsamy
September 10, 2014 at 09:06
Up and down to Dubai. I work here. Should last 1 year 🙂
Xcalibersa
September 10, 2014 at 09:08
Ahhhhh, cool.
Kevin Govindsamy
September 10, 2014 at 09:55
Just to confirm – check with MS now – xbox is covered in SA as well even though I bought it here. need to register it in SA for support.
Pieter Kruger
September 10, 2014 at 10:13
They will support warranty no problems!
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 10, 2014 at 07:11
So it doesn’t listen to you & doesn’t keep quiet except when you’re playing with it? :/
Rock789
September 10, 2014 at 08:10
That sounds suspiciously familiar… Hmmmm…
Admiral Chief Assassin
September 10, 2014 at 07:48
Y U NO PLAY WIF MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
xdvd
September 10, 2014 at 07:53
Used my UK console countless times without Kinect and no sound issues here. Must be isolated cases.
Kromas of City17
September 10, 2014 at 07:54
60dB ain’t that bad. No offense but I have heard speaker static on a pc as well as loud ass fans and the not so fun GPU Whine (not fun when the GPU that is causing the Whining is your R9290x).
Pieter Kruger
September 10, 2014 at 08:13
They’ll exchange them, not repair them:
“We have heard that a small number of Xbox One owners in some situations may hear a noise from the console that is too loud. While this does not affect the safety or functionality of the system, we’re asking customers who believe they are experiencing this issue to contact Xbox Support: http://support.xbox.com. At the request of our customers, we are exchanging those consoles for new systems.”
Jimmwyrm
September 10, 2014 at 08:59
No such issue with my Xb one, got the kinect-less version too. Been enjoying the console quite a bit so far, just waiting for the games to be released locally as the 5 I bought initially are getting a bit long in the tooth 😛
Xcalibersa
September 10, 2014 at 08:59
This is not an issue. MS has a great warrenty. Might get free games out of it.
ima flyGuy
September 10, 2014 at 13:54
My nephew put his on face book for sale £350 with two games or swap for ps4, because of the noise it’s always there when in apps such as twitch and you tube and starts to get really annoying.
ninja
September 10, 2014 at 17:58
I have a kinect and my Xbox one is dead silent so how can there be that big of a difference?
Tulipdame
September 29, 2014 at 17:40
We imported a kinect version in March – no problems with or without the kinect. Takealot delivered my replacement Kinect less Xbox One today…again I have the noise. I logged for a refund. This is sh*t. Microsoft screwed this up badly. I got two noisy consoles. That disappointed me so much. I really feel like giving up or forking out to get another kinect version. Anyone want to buy my Xbox One kinect?
Tulipdame
September 29, 2014 at 17:41
I mean only the camera. What do they go for anyway?