PlayStation 3

Playstation 3

The PlayStation 3 (commonly referred to as PS3) is a home video game console and the successor to the PlayStation 2. It is produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the third generation in the PlayStation series. It competes with Nintendo’s Wii and Microsoft’s Xbox 360. It was released on November 11, 2006, and it was the first and remains the only console to use Blu-ray Disc as its primary storage medium. As of November 4, 2012, over 70 million PS3s have been sold worldwide.

Key Information

At its heart, the PS3 is a gaming console. The list of games for the PS3 is seemingly endless. Users can choose from sports games to adventure games to action games. Whatever you want to play, it is available on the PS3. Like the PS2, users have the ability to play the story mode or any other aspect of the video game without requiring an internet connection. Users can connect to the internet, either wired or wirelessly, to play online or download content. The PlayStation Network allows users to download exclusive games directly from the site and play online. PlayStation Home is part of the PlayStation Network. It is an interactive virtual gaming platform which allows users to build an avatar and join and launch online games. The PS3 also has a PlayStation Store. The PlayStation Store is an online virtual market available to users. It offers a range of downloadable content both for free and for purchase. Downloadable content includes add-on content, full games, playable demos, game trailers, and themes. The PS3 is more than just a gaming console, however. It can be used to play DVDs and Blu-ray Discs. It can also be used to play music and browse the web. The PS3 can be purchased in a bundle pack from Amazon for $249.99. This bundle includes the 250 GB PS3 System, the Ratchet and Clank Collection, PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, and Media/Blu-Ray Disc Remote Control. Best Buy offers the PS3 as part of its “Legacy Bundle”. The Legacy Bundle includes a DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller, Gran Turismo 5 XL and Infamous 2.

Tech Specs

The PS3 supports the following discs: Blu-Ray, CD, PlayStation game disc, DVD, PlayStation 2 game disc, Super Audio CD, and PlayStation 3 game disc

Its CPU has a 65 nm or 90 nm Cell Broadband Engine. It has 90 nm or 65 NIVDIA/SCEI RSX at 550 MHz graphics. The PS3 has 256 MB of FDDR3 VRAM at 700 MHz and 256 of XDR DRAM at 3.2 GHz memory. It has S-Video, RGB, Composite, Component, D-Terminal, HDMI Video output, and Dolby Digital 5.1, Analog, DTS 5.1, LPCM, AAC, DTS-HD, Dolby TrueHD Audio output. It has 5 different sizes in terms of storage space: 160 GB, 80 GB, 60 GB, 40 GB, 20 GB.

Pros

  • The PS3 is a multimedia platform, and can be used for more than just gaming; it can act as a DVD player or stereo, and the fact that it can play Blu-ray Discs makes it a great alternative to a Blu-ray player
  • It easily links with your PSP, and it has four USB slots
  • Both the 20 GB and 60 GB platforms allow for massive storage of media files
  • Unlike the Xbox 360, the online play is free
  • It is usually sold in bundles with other items including games, remotes, and bonus items

Cons

  • While the bundles help reduce the cost (per item at least), it is still expensive; some people may not want to spend over $250 for a gaming console
  • The PS4 is coming out soon; for someone who is looking to purchase a gaming console, it may be worth waiting a few months for the new generation to be released (although it will be very expensive)
  • To truly enjoy the PS3, an HDTV is required
  • While the PS3 cost has come down over time, games are still expensive, especially new releases; new releases will cost between $70-80 a pop