Editor's note: This review is based on the 60GB SKU of the PlayStation 3. The 40GB model has had the following removed: Multimedia card reader, PS2 backwards compatibility, two USB ports, and 20GB of hard drive space.
For a comprehensive look at PS3's Blu-ray and multimedia capabilities, see our feature PS3's got game: plus Blu-ray, MP3 and more.
Design: Hardware
Measuring in at 325mm by 98mm by 274mm (WxHxD) and clocking in at a hefty 5kg the PS3 towers over the Xbox 360 and positively dwarfs the Nintendo Wii. Just like those two consoles (and the PlayStation 2 previously), the PS3 can be stored either flat or upright. Personally, we preferred the look of the PS3 while upright, as it better shows off the console's gently curving face and shiny black plastic casing. You're also better able to see the silver trim around the console's front, as well as its face-wide logo. But be warned - just as the shiny black of the Sony PSP was (and is) a fingerprint magnet, so is the PS3's outer covering. This may not be as much of a problem, however, as the PS3 isn't really meant to be handled too much once it's plonked in the middle of your living room set-up.
The front of the console is minimal to the extreme. The PS3's slot loading disc drive is set recessed on the unit's right hand side, and is surrounded by metallic silver. The flat space in front of the drive has two touch sensitive buttons - one for power and the other for ejecting a disc. A small plastic cover can be found on the PS3's left side - flip it open and it reveals the console's memory card slots (Compact Flash, SD/Mini SD and Memory Stick). Directly below are four USB ports which can be used to connect and charge the PS3's wireless controllers, or plug in USB based accessories or peripherals. The back of the unit is similarly clutter-free. Apart from a power slot and AV-Multi-out connector, the unit's rear also sports an HDMI slot, digital out and Ethernet port. Unlike the Xbox 360, the PS3 doesn't come with a bulky power brick, meaning it should be fairly easy to hide the power cable. But speaking of cables, the PS3 only comes only with composite cables as standard - for an HD gaming and multimedia machine like this, it's an extremely disappointing move on Sony's part.
As for the PS3's brand new controllers (one of which comes bundled with all retail boxes), Sony has stuck with its tried and tested design for PS2 controllers. The PS3 controllers look and feel exactly the same as old PlayStation ones, with a couple of key differences. The first is that the new controllers are wireless. Rechargeable batteries are built-in, and the PS3 comes pre-packaged with a USB wire for charging the controllers (a big plus over the 360, with which you have to buy the recharge kit separately). The second major difference is that the rumble feature - which shook the controller in time with on-screen events - has been taken out of the PS3 version. In its place is Sixaxis, a new motion sensitive technology that allows gamers to control play by moving the controller in their hand. It's not as robust a motion-sensitive system as the Nintendo Wii's, however, as the PS3 controllers can only detect movements in six axes (hence the name). The lack of rumble functionality had also made the PS3 controller much lighter - those used to the PS2 controller's weight will find it initially surprising. The final differences are cosmetic - the new PS3 controllers have a clear PlayStation button in the centre (which acts as a method to quit games or turn off the system), and the L2 and R2 buttons have been reshaped to be more trigger-like.
The PS3 can be stored flat or vertically.
Design: Interface
Sony wants the world to recognise the PS3 as more than just a games system, and it's clear from when you first turn on the machine that this system has been built for more than just play. The PS3's interface is far removed from the PS2's fairly spartan dashboard, and has been modelled after the PSP's media interface. All of the console's various functions are arrayed in what Sony has dubbed the Cross Media Bar, or XMB. Users navigate different functions which are arrayed on a horizontal axis, where each heading opens up sub-headings on a vertical axis. The main headings are Users, Settings, Photo, Music, Video, Game, Network and Friends. Going to the Video heading on the horizontal plane, for example, will unveil all of a user's video options displayed vertically underneath the heading (such as play a BR/DVD or video clips). Going to game will give users the option of playing a disc-based game or any game demos previously loaded. The XMB is fairly intuitive to use, even for those not used to the PSP system.
Things get decidedly more complex any time you have to enter data, however (such as when first creating log-ins for the PS3, or when signing up for the PlayStation Store, or even just entering Web addresses in the PS3's browser). The PS3 uses a keypad for data entry, similar to how mobile phone users enter text messages. It's an extremely fiddly process which will no doubt frustrate, particularly after extended use. Thankfully, the PS3 is compatible with USB or Bluetooth keyboards, so if you have a spare one handy, we highly recommend plugging that in any time data needs to be entered.
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Silver_89
19/07/2008, 09:15 PM
rating
3/10
Where I'm from the 40gb model still costs more than the 120gb Xbox360 elite and not only does the xbox have more games (and better games) but it has that extra storage space. And after using them both, the online elements of the xbox seem quite superior.
And once the software emulation allowing the usage of PS2 games was disabled, the number of available games dropped insanely.
Poorer hardware than the cheaper Xbox360.
Pros: - It plays Blu-ray discs
- Games can include higher quality materials due to the disc's medium
- It has Metal Gear Solid IV
Cons: - The only really good exclusive available is Metal Gear Solid IV
- Games supposed to be exclusives such as Final Fantasy XIII are going to the Xbox 360 as well as the PS3
- Insanely high price, especially for a stripped down version of a console
- Lack of games, an even more troublesome lack of really good games
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mew090
19/07/2008, 06:48 AM
rating
10/10
Its a blu-ray player that satisfy me
Pros: 1- great graphic
2- online is for free
3- wireless siaxis
4- wireless remote
5- great look
6- many exclusive (MGS4,KH3)
7-ability to install linux
8- multi media
9- eye on the future
100 blu-ray
Cons: way too expinsive for a gameing console
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Pete96
10/07/2008, 01:30 PM
rating
9/10
I have owned a Playstation 3 (40GB) for now 4 months and I still play it constantly. It was a bit exspensive for a gaming console but considering what I do with it, it was a great buy. If I was going to buy a console just for gaming, I would then proberly consider the Xbox 360 but then graphics slide in. The PS3 does have better graphics, but not enough games (but still good).
Pros: *Graphics
*Blu-ray player
*Free Internet (have to buy cable)
*Really quiet
*Great games avalible
*Sleek design
Cons: *Price depending on what the use is for
*Cost of good games
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Jasper Abraxxis
12/05/2008, 01:50 PM
rating
3/10
Badly designed hardware, unfriendly architecture, seriously outdated GPU, over priced, terrible online services (PSN sucks - that simple).
The Xbox 360 was released OVER a year earlier than the PS3, yets its GPU is a generation more advanced, its Cpu is comparible its memory subsystems are unified, which makes the system more flexible etc.
I was lucky enough to purchase a 60 GB PS3 at a good price soon after they were released and I must say Sony have released a real turkey. Few games, and cross platform games are nearly always better on the 360.
Now if a game comes out on both the 360 and Ps3 I buy the 360 version - it runs better, has better graphics and far better online gaming.
Dont get me wrong, the 360 is not perfect - it should have had wireless built in, but purely as a GAMES MACHINE the 360 runs circles (no pun intended) around the PS3.
Also, due to outdated nature of the GPU the 360 should age better whilst the PS3 will struggle to keep up with future games.
Pros: Built in wireless.
Bluray.
Nice build quality.
Cons: Cell processor is difficult and unrewarding to program for.
GPU is SERIOUSLY outdated.
Online gaming is pathetic compared to Xbox Live.
Memory architecture is not unified.
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Julzz
07/05/2008, 08:02 PM
rating
2/10
Sooo Sexy...
Pros: Blue Ray
Cons: Well done sony you made it expensive
*Copies Xbox
*Does what a xbox does
* Doesnt play PS2 Games
* the Look
* The way you put the cd in
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chris manuel
05/03/2008, 07:48 AM
rating
9/10
A good First Person Shooter, - Resistance, Ghost Recon, Call of Duty 4, and soon Haze. Just to name a few...
Pros: Great console, Xbox has a year up on it so just give it some time
Cons: Waiting on some killer games and Home
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Bill
09/02/2008, 01:44 AM
rating
4/10
I've owned one since 2006 and am getting tired of all the "future" promises that have not been delivered.
Pros: Hard drive easy and cheap to upgrade.
Cons: Where are the good games? one good RPG, 1 good fighter.
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Yamhead
06/02/2008, 11:03 PM
rating
9/10
I think the ps3 is slowly but surely comming back sure the 360 has the better line up of games but the 360 has cheap parts and breaks down often. I'm happy with the ps3 Once we get in game messaging and Home Ps3 will once again rise to take its spot on top.
Pros: Quiet system
great bluray player
great games available
ability to be a home computer
free online
great customability
Cons: is pretty expensive
not as many games as 360
online kind of a pain as of now
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coldwinter
06/02/2008, 06:52 PM
rating
9/10
i dissagree with some of the points in this review cuz its only $40 more than the xbox 360 being only $400 and all and there is backwards compatability(it may not be able to play ps2 games but it can still play ps1 games) and u can get a HDMI cable for $10-$60 and it does have some good exclusives like uncharted, heavenly sword, ratchet and clank, UT3 and warhawk and theres also some good multiplat like COD4 etc.
Pros: its a console that is future proof
online is free
has some great games out and even better ones comming
linux can be installed
a big improvement over the ps2
Cons: most of the features and services arnt out yet(in game xmb and home)
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darkelf921
06/02/2008, 02:42 PM
rating
7/10
Excellent gaming console
Pros: Great processing power
Cons: Expensive, no backward compatibility, and did I mention expensive?
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