PS3 Console

Introduction

The PlayStation 3, which is also abbreviated PS3, is, as the name suggests, the third games console developed by Sony. It's also a part of the supposed 'seventh' generation of consoles, with competition coming from the Xbox 360 and the Wii. It's major feature is the integration of a Bluray drive, which became the first 2.0-compliant Bluray player.

As the most technologically advanced of the three consoles, it's launch price was also the most expensive. The PS3 was first released in Japan, on November 11, 2006. Six days later it was launched in North America, with a European release taking another four months. The European release was delayed, due to a shortage of parts used in the created of the Bluray drive.

Worldwide, there has been five PS3 models released. They are commonly categorised by their hard drive capacities, which are 20GB, 40GB, 60GB, 80GB and 120GB models. Only the 40GB, 80GB and 120GB models have been released in Europe, and currently only the 80GB and 120GB models are still in production. The 20GB model was the only PS3 without 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi support, but it did provide PS2 compatibility, unlike the current 80GB and 120GB models (to cut production costs).

Specification

• Media - Blu-ray
  
• Operating system - XrossMediaBar
  
• CPU - 3.2 GHz Cell Broadband Engine
  
• Storage - 2.5" SATA hard drive (20GB, 40GB, 6 GB, 80GB, 120GB)
  
• Graphics - 550 MHz NVIDIA 'Reality Synthesizer'
• Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB and HDMI supported.
  

Virtually every PS3 configuration was released in a 'Piano Black' case. But, the old 40GB model was released in Ceramic White, Satin Silver and Gun-Metal Gray. Every retail package was released with a Sixaxis or a DualShock 3 gamepad, a miniUSB to USB cable, a composite cable, a ethernet cable and a power cable. A criticism of Sony, was the lack of a bundled HDMI cable. The majority of players will be wanting to produce a high definition output, and unless they have the forethought to purchase a HDMI cable, they will need to go back to the shop for an extra cable.

The PlayStation 3, just like the Xbox 360, has been produced at a loss. On average, Sony have been losing $250 on every Playstation 3 they produce. However, as time passes, the production cost has significantly decreased from $800 to $400. Overall, this has contributed to Sony posting an operating deficit for their gaming division. Sony will be hoping to claw back their losses from the sales of video games. Forecasts have predicted that the PS3 will be producing a profit by the middle of 2009.

The launch of the PS3 was perhaps the most muted of any seventh generation console, for the UK anyhow. The price, and lack of any franchise launch games, did not get the critics salivating. It also needed to play catchup in Europe, being the last of the consoles to be released. It was also more similar to the Xbox 360, than the Wii, so being released over a year after the Xbox 360 was a distinct disadvantage. To date, the PS3 has sold 1.9 million units in the UK, and the Xbox 360 3.2 million units.

However, despite the initial negative reviews, the PS3 has slowly been living up to the hype. Bluray has recently won the battle of formats, making the PS3 an attractive option as a cost effective games/bluray player. The release of Playstation franchise titles, such as Metal Gear Solid 4, has also helped bring a buzz around the console. Sony's free online multiplaying service also means a long-term saving, in comparison to the annual fee of the Xbox Live.