Xbox One hardware overview

Leading up to the Xbox One launch on Friday, we've prepared a hardware overview video, detailing everything you need to know about Microsoft's next-generation console. GameSpot video journalist Jess McDonell takes you through the Xbox One's technical specifications and provides an up-close and personal look at the new machine.

Notably, the Xbox One features a 64-bit AMD Jaguar CPU, 8GB of DDR3 RAM (5GB for games and the rest for computing functions), and an AMD Radeon GPU with 768 cores.

The Xbox One also features an optical drive that supports Blu-rays, though users must download the Blu-ray player app to watch these movies. The system will also play back audio CDs, something the PlayStation 4 cannot.

Microsoft's next-generation console also features an irreplacable 500GB hard drive, 3 USB 3.0 ports, HDMI in and out, and 802.11n wireless networking. The Xbox One requires a power brick, unlike the PS4, which features an internal power supply.

All Xbox One units, of course, ship with Kinect 2.0, an updated version of the motion-sensing camera technology Microsoft originally introduced in 2010 with the Xbox 360. The new version can track up to six people at once, has a wider field of view, and can see in the dark.

Users can boot up their Xbox Ones and navigate various games, apps, and services using voice and gesture control powered by Kinect.

Lastly, Microsoft has recommended that the system be positioned horizontally, not vertically. "We don't support vertical orientation; do it at your own risk," the company said in September.

For more on the Xbox One, check out GameSpot's review roundup, featuring games like Dead Rising 3, Crimson Dragon, LocoCycle, and Killer Instinct.