Sony PlayStation 3
Sony has ruled the console landscape with its previous PlayStation home consoles, and the company hopes that this is the second blockbuster “icon. PlayStation 3 is a graphical powerhouse, which has a cutting-edge Cell processor and a custom Nvidia graphics chip, which could melt most of gaming PCs. But the console goes beyond gaming, is doubling the Blu-ray and DVD movie player. It will face some tough competition with cheaper, but almost as powerful Xbox 360 and more innovative - and much less expensive - the Nintendo Wii. Read, CNET’s complete coverage of Sony’s powerhouse home console.
The good: Swanky design with quiet operation, all the games, high-definition; PSP-like user-friendly interface; plays a high-def Blu-ray movies in addition to upscaling standard DVDs, built-in Wi-Fi and Flash Media Reader, 60 GB hard drive, online gaming is free, HDMI output with 1080p support, there is no external power supply, free online gaming service; play PS2 and PS1 games, backward compatibility is based on the hardware.
The bad: Compelling exclusive rights to games are still rare; PlayStation Home and rumble the controller will not be available until 2008; USB port on the back should you have been nice, not infrared port means non-Bluetooth universal remotes are not compatible; glossy black finish is a fingerprint magnet; online gambling, media, and the trading of options is not nearly as evolved as the Xbox Live.
The bottom line: The high-end Sony PlayStation 3’s larger hard drive and the ability to play PS2 games because it is a viable alternative, less expensive model - as long as you’re willing to wait several months, the more promising exclusive titles hit store shelves. If the backward compatibility is a priority, this hard-to find a formula can be a good search. (via)
