It’s no secret that Xbox Game Pass is a phenomenal subscription service. In the five years since it launched, it’s helped give Microsoft's gaming department a wider appeal. With access to an abundance of titles, it’s no wonder so many of us shelled out for an Xbox Series X or S, but what about those of us who want to subscribe without owning a console? Well, one option is the GeoBook 140X.
This 14.1-inch machine is essentially an entry-level laptop with an emphasis on accessing the Cloud option of Game Pass. In other words, while the hardware is relatively timid, you can enjoy plenty of games via streaming instead of running them directly from the system itself.
This video tells you what you get with the GeoBook 140X:
Coming with a three-month subscription to the service right out of the box, the GeoBook 140X (from Geo Computers) basically offers everything a regular laptop would, but with an emphasis on enjoying Cloud gaming. Yes, you could arguably do this on any Windows laptop, but how does the GeoBook stack up in this respect?
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First off, logging into the Xbox app is simple. Clicking the Cloud tab will show plenty of available games. In order to push this sleek little device to its limit, I started off with Microsoft Flight Simulator, and I was not disappointed. Sitting in my living room, mere metres from my router, I was able to soar through the air with no signs of lag.
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The same could be said of Forza Horizon 5, which I played next. Tearing through the densely-packed in-game world at eye-watering pace was as smooth as it is on Series X, if not quite as visually dynamic as on console.
However, once I relocated to an upstairs bedroom, I started to have some issues with the stream quality. Dogfighting in Chorus became more difficult due to some stuttering and bleeding pixels. The same thing occurred while playing FH5 but usually only when I used the rewind feature, and even Hades suffered from similar issues.
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Luckily, all of these problems disappeared the moment I went back to the living room - near my router - and dived back into these three games. Loading up Yakuza: Like A Dragon brought no issues whatsoever, even when running around the game’s world as quickly as I could.
Essentially, I discovered that the GeoBook 140X lives up to its potential when in close proximity to its internet source. Although I didn’t test the laptop with an ethernet cable, it’s safe to assume that if it performs this well over Wi-Fi, being wired in will be just as good if not better.
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I previously wrote about how Game Pass helped me fall in love with the Yakuza series, so I’m familiar enough with what a bargain it is, but being able to access it and enjoy a variety of its titles from this laptop is an excellent added bonus.
Now, as the GeoBook 140X retails at around £300, one could argue that an Xbox Series S is a better option as it costs roughly £250 and comes with a controller in the box, unlike the laptop. Also, the Series S gives you access to more than the Cloud Game Pass titles.
The thing is, the GeoBook 140X has a screen and speakers built into it, whereas the Series X doesn’t. If you’re the kind of gamer who doesn’t have access to a TV screen as much as you’d like, this laptop offers you a useful alternative. Sitting on the couch and gaming away while my girlfriend plays PS5 on the television is a great compromise, as proven by how often we would swap over with each other.
In short, the GeoBook 140X offers something that the Xbox Series X and S don’t. Yes, other laptops and PCs and even mobile phones can offer access to Game Pass Cloud streaming, but I can safely say this particular machine fits the bill very well. It’s a handsome little thing, too.
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The GeoBook 140X is available now. Review unit provided by supplier.
Topics: GeoBook, Xbox Game Pass