The daddy of home console's (Sony Playstation 3 80 GB)

Member Name: Namek_Assasin

Product:	Sony Playstation 3 80 GB
Date:	01/03/09 (105 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Blu-ray player, exclusive content, free wi-fi

Disadvantages: Lack of game range

The hub of your home entertainment... The Sony Playstation 3.

The console was released on March 23rd 2007. The console was firstly available in just a 60gb version which retailed at if I recall correctly £349.99; This is Sony's third home console, its major competitors are the Nintendo Wii and the Microsoft XBOX 360. In the UK, Australia, the Middle East, Africa and New Zealand, the sales of PS3 on its launch hit a combined 600,000 in its first two days.

There have been five different variations of PS3 made since its launch here in the UK. 20GB, 40GB, 60GB, 80GB and 160GB. The two current models are the 80GB and 160GB. The console originally featured backwards compatibility with your old Playstation 1 and 2 games; also it featured an integrated card reader across the front of the unit (60GB). Every version since has had both of these features removed, a lot of people are unhappy about this, making a 60GB version a rare find.



Technical Specifications
=================
CPU: Cell Processor - PowerPC-base Core @3.2GHz
GPU: RSX @550MHz - Full HD (up to 1080p) x 2 channels
Sound: Dolby 5.1ch, DTS, LPCM, etc. (Cell-base processing)
Memory: 256MB XDR Main RAM @3.2GHz , 256MB GDDR3 VRAM @700MHz
System Bandwidth: Main RAM: 25.6GB/s , VRAM: 22.4GB/s
Storage: HDD (variable), Detachable 2.5" HDD slot x 1
USB: Rear x 2 (USB2.0)

Communication: Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T) x3 (input x 1 + output x 2)
Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 b/g
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR)
Controller: Bluetooth (up to 7), USB2.0 (wired), Wi-Fi (PSP®), Network (over IP)
Screen size: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
Analog: AV MULTI OUT x 1
Digital audio: DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL) x 1
CD Disc media (read only): CD-DA (ROM), CD-R, CD-RW, SACD Hybrid (CD layer), SACD HD, DualDisc (audio side), DualDisc (DVD side)

DVD Disc media (read only): PLAYSTATION 3 DVD-ROM, DVD-Video: DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW
Blu-ray Disc media (read only): PLAYSTATION 3 BD-ROM , BD-Video: BD-ROM, BD-R, BD-RE



So the main question people may be asking themselves right now is Why a PS3? - A 360 is cheaper and has similar games, a Wii even cheaper with the "everyone can play" factor. Well let me give you a few reasons why this should be your console of choice.

It's a blu-ray player - If you have a HD television this is a must. Watch all your favourite films in shiny high definition. It act's as a fantastic blu-ray player which is fully upgradeable when new firmware release's are available which download automatically for you when connected to the net. The alternative is the Sony BDPS350, a stand alone blu-ray player and it costs around £220, it's an expensive feature to have on a home console.

Upgradeable hard drive - It has a removable HDD slot at the rear of the unit. Simply unscrew and insert a 2.5" SATA hard drive of your choice, basically a laptop hard drive. It is as far as I'm aware uncapped, so you can put a 1TB HDD in there!

Free internet access - Yes, unlike its Microsoft comparative the internet access on this baby is totally free. You sign up for an account and off you go! Simple! - With this internet access you can browse the web with it's built in internet explorer, add and chat to friends and most importantly play games online...for free!

Its wi-fi - Again unlike the XBOX 360 this is w-fi from the off (it's £59.99 for the adaptor for the 360) Meaning if you have a wireless router in your house then you can take your PS3 online without the use of a long stretched cable running around half your home.

Exclusive games - Granted this list is nowhere near as impressive as it may have been say 6 years ago but it still boasts Gran Turismo, Little Big Planet and Metal Gear Solid. Game's that will not be available on any other format.

Now please don't get me wrong, I'm not a Sony fan boy. The console does have some disadvantages, the main one being its game selection. In comparison to the 360 its game selection is rather limited. There are exceptions to this rule but generally they tend to cater for the teenage and adult bracket.

So this console would get my vote for most people, family's can enjoy it's media capabilities, like storing and watching films, its DVD and blu-ray film playing options and slideshows of home pictures. Teenagers have a good range of fantastic games with easy to use and free internet access, plus it looks stylish, for adults you get all of the above. A sleek, highly accessible, all in one device.

If you are now wanting to go out and get one I want to make a few game recommendations for you...Sports Fans - Fight Night Rd. 3, FIFA 09; Action Fans - Metal Gear Solid, Killzone; Casual Gamers - Little Big Planet, Street Figther IV...

Thanks for reading all, I hope it help to make up your mind.

Summary: The winner for me