PlayStation 3 (2007)
The PlayStation 3 is the successor to the popular Sony PlayStation 2 console. It used Blu-Ray (BD-ROM) media as its game disc media and Sony’s XMB (XrossMediaBar) as its menu system. The PS3 is available in a variety of models. The PS3 includes a Blu-Ray drive and is capable of playing Blu-Ray movies up to HD 1080p. At the time it was one of the cheapest Blu-Ray players on the market and this was used as a selling point. One drawback to the console was not all models included PS2 backwards compatibility. Backwards compatibility was only included on the 60GB models. The 40, 80 and 160GB models are missing backwards compatibility as well as some other features of the 60GB model. The 60GB and 40GB models are no longer in production and so no new PS3 that can be bought today is compatible with PS2 games. The 60GB had exclusive features these are backwards compatibility with PS2, 4 USB sockets, memory card readers (CF, SD and Memory Stick/Duo), a glossy silver plate around the disc slot and a air vent on the front of the unit next to the USB sockets. The 40GB, 80GB and 160GB models do not include any of these features. The PS3 also supports Remote Play with a PSP system, Remote Play allows you to turn your PS3 on and off remotely and play content from the PS3s hard drive on your PSP. The PS3 supports Windows Media streaming from a PC running Microsoft Windows with a compatible version of Windows Media Player. PlayStation Store allows you to download content to your PSP system or PS3 hard drive, content includes games, music and videos. The PS3 like the PSP also has upgradeable firmware that can be downloaded directly to the PS3 or installed via a downloaded file on a memory card or USB memory stick. The PS3 also includes Gigabit Ethernet, wi-fi and HDMI 1.3a. The PS3 can also be used with current PS2 video cables and comes with one as standard in the box. The PS3 also has the ability to support another operating system stored in another partition on the hard drive. The operating systems available for the PS3 include many varieties of the Linux OS. There are versions of Fedora, Ubuntu and Yellow Dog Linux available for the PS3. All models of the PS3 are backwards compatible with PS1 games since there are many PS1 games available to download for a few pounds on the PlayStation Store. Overall I would say the PS3 is a very good console and think it is a worthy upgrade over the PS2.
Technical Specs
CPU- Cell Processor running at 3.2GHz with 8 cores
RAM- 256MB
VRAM- 256MB
Memory Bandwidth: Main RAM- 25.6 GB/s VRAM- 22.4GB/s
L2 Cache- 512KB
Graphics- RSX @ 550MHz
Hard Drive- 2.5” Removable 40/60/80/160GB internal SATA Hard Disk
Game Format- Blu-Ray Disc
Other Features:
2/4 USB Sockets
Bluetooth 2.0
1x Optical Audio
60GB only:
CompactFlash Slot (Type I, II)
SD Slot (Regular, Compact)
Memory Stick Standard/Duo
Accessories
Wireless Keypad
The Wireless Kaeypad can clip onto your controller and acts as an easy to use keyboard during game play.
Wireless Headset
The Wireless Headset allows you to chat with your friends during games like COD.
Play TV
Play TV allows you to watch, pause and record digital TV on your PS3.
Buzz! Buzzers
The Buzz! Buzzers can be used for the Buzz! Series of quiz games. They come in either wired or wireless versions.
SingStar Microphone Pack
The SingStar Microphone Pack is used in the SingStar Series of games.
Blu-Ray Disc Remote Control
The Blu-Ray Disc Remote control can be used to control your PS3 over Bluetooth 2.0 while watching a film.
PlayStation Eye Camera
The PlayStation Eye is a upgraded version of the Eye Toy USB Camera that was used in various PS2 games. The PlayStation Eye is not compatible with Eye Toy Games.
Also compatible with: