Microsoft's Xbox One X 4K gaming console is $100 more than the PlayStation 4 Pro, but it's actually a good deal

At $500, Microsoft's new Xbox One X console is pricey for a game machine.

The new gadget's chief rival, Sony's PlayStation 4 Pro, is arguably a better deal, costing $100 less than the Xbox One X. And analysts over at gamingindustry.biz are already predicting the price tag on Microsoft's new box will make it a "tough sell" with consumers.

But if you can get past the straight-up comparison with the PlayStation 4 Pro and other consoles and look at the Xbox One X from some different perspectives, it actually looks like a good deal.

Despite the new game machine's high price, Microsoft won't be making a profit from selling Xbox One X boxes, Phil Spencer, leader of the company's Xbox business, told Business Insider. Microsoft is essentially selling the Xbox One X at cost, Spencer said. So, in terms of the hardware inside the console, you're getting your money's worth, especially if you consider you're benefitting from Microsoft's negotiating clout with the suppliers who provide the parts for the Xbox One X.

Indeed, if you compare the Xbox One X to a comparable gaming PC, its $500 price starts to look like a bargain. You can expect to spend at least $1,000 for a PC that can play 4K games.

What's more, even though it costs more than the PlayStation 4 Pro, you get something for your extra dollars, because the Xbox One X is technically more powerful than Sony's rival. That additional power could well mean it will play 4K games more smoothly and offer better graphics than the PlayStation 4 Pro. We won't know for certain how well it compares with the Sony's machine until November, when the Xbox One X will be released.

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