As the Xbox Series X|S consoles enter their sixth year under our TVs, eyes are starting to turn towards what the next generation of the hardware could look like – especially as the average console generation usually lasts around eight years.

With AMD’s CEO hinting last week that the next Xbox could be with us as soon as 2027, it’s got us thinking about the sort of features the console will need to offer to win over fans. It’s no secret that Xbox has struggled this generation with the Series X|S devices selling almost two thirds less than PlayStation 5 to date.

A new report points towards the next Xbox having a feature that basically turns it into a gaming PC, which might prove to be a controversial move for gamers dead-set on owning a more simplified gaming machine.

According to Jez Corden from Windows Central, the next Xbox device is set to come with a version of Windows 11 installed by default. This version of the operating system will apparently work in a similar way to the Xbox ROG Ally X, which presents with a ‘gaming first’ layer on top of Windows 11, disabling parts of the OS that aren’t needed to optimise gaming performance.

If true, this will be a huge departure from the way consoles have operated in the past. Current devices like the PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 use proprietary operating systems that lock down which software can be run on the hardware.

While the next Xbox will still be a gaming-focused machine, it appears that Microsoft might be heading down a similar route to Valve in allowing gamers to boot into Windows 11 should they choose to. Not only would this open up the doors for the next Xbox to be used for productivity programs like a normal PC, but it also opens up the doors to installing games from alternative digital marketplaces, too.

In essence, that means that the console would be backwards compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S games while also capable of playing games from Steam and Epic Games, too.

Epic Games seems to be supporting this theory that the next Xbox will use a version of Windows 11. In an interview with Game File last week, Epic Games general manager Steve Allison said that Microsoft would ‘welcome’ the Epic Games Store on the platform.

“We definitely plan to be on the new hardware for Xbox, because, unless their policy or stance on it changes, they are telling us they’re going to welcome that,” Allison says. “And we’re going be there, like, on day one. That will probably require us to build in whatever their requirements are, some sort of software to support that.”

Although the concept sounds like a more flexible way to play for gamers, not all Xbox fans are convinced. “I’m just trying to figure out what the actual benefits will be,” one Reddit user writes.

“Consoles are supposed to be simple, PC gaming can be far from it. Even with it having a console-like UI (I imagine you’ll be able to switch between it and the typical Windows 11 UX), I just feel like too much can go wrong. I’m getting Steam Machine circa 2015 vibes from it.”

Another user points out that allowing games to be installed from alternate platforms would likely cut off Microsoft’s own digital revenue streams. “How are they going to make money if it’s like a pc, wouldn’t most people buy their games from Steam?”

The answer to Microsoft’s monetary problem will likely lie in the pricing strategy of the device. With RAM prices continuing to soar, it’s looking increasingly likely that the next console will be sold as a premium product with a premium price to boot.

There’s currently no word on how Microsoft plans to price its next console, but given the high price tag of £799 attached to the Xbox ROG Ally X, we imagine the new device won’t fall far from the same tree.

Are you excited by the prospect of an Xbox that can play PC games?