A clip-on LCD panel for the Xbox Series S makes for a great portable gaming solution

The Xbox Series S is pretty easy to get hold of compared to the more powerful Xbox Series X, but it’s also a lot more compact. The smaller form factor is perfect for those wanting to move the console, leading Aussie company UPspec, to launch xScreen, an LCD panel that clips onto the rear.

The xScreen is 11.6″ display in a white casing that matches the Series S style and colour scheme. The display, which includes stereo speakers, offers 1080p resolution at 60Hz refresh – slightly lower than the 1440p/120Hz the Series S is capable of. The UPspec team says that they consiously decided to offer the lower res/refresh with their belief that few modern games will run at greater than 60fps – and the 1080p resolution looks amazingly crisp at that size.

The xScreen clips onto the back of the Series S with coloured tabs – yes, there’s an xBox green coloured tab – and plugs into the HDMI out on the rear for video with power supplied by the USB port on the rear of the Series S.

This of course means that all you need to game on the go is a power point. At this stage, I’m just hoping someone can Kickstart a battery add-on and an almost completely portable XSS could be completely portable.

Rewards start from $259 AUD, though the UPspec team says the retail will be $329, with shipments expected to begin ‘by the end of 2021’ . There’s no shipping charge as yet, with their FAQ stating the Pledge Management system will work it out for your country at the end of the campaign, but they expect it to be around $35.

Given the Xbox Series S retails at $499, it’s a pretty expensive mobile gaming system, but damn if it isn’t making me reach for my wallet. You can get some decent deals on the Xbox Series S around the place if you’re willing to be patient and check out options though.

All this said, this is Kickstarter so nothing is guaranteed – the current units are 3D printed, but the Kickstarter will allow them to scale up to traditional production methods. The project us technically successful as well, exceeding it’s $13,000 goal in just 20 minutes, so it’s looking promising.