bit-tech Shopping: Sony PS3 Console with 20GB Hard Drive

Rating: 10

Time with product: 3 Days

Strengths: Cell Processor, Blu-Ray, Hi-def graphics, wireless-ness, removeable hard drive, online play, Playstation Store, internet browser, can run 2nd operating system, music/photos/video, XMB interface/

Weaknesses: All the games that we REALLY want to see aren't out yet, only a few good launch titles. No chrome trim. Gets dusty VERY quickly.

Summary: Overall, this is just a very well-done, thorough system. I was skeptical while deciding whether or not to get this over the Wii, but I'm VERY satisfied with my choice- $500 went a LONG way. This thing has a lot of options for everything, very customizable. I plan on getting a larger hard drive and loading a copy of YDL5 on it to replace my current computer. I might try loading a copy of XP onto it before I do and see what happens. Who needs a gaming rig when you can have a hi-def console AND a computer all in one?Hardware- Cell processor is FAST, everything loads quickly. Blu-ray movies look FANTASTIC. Removable hard drive, can be replaced with a standard SATA150 2.5" one. Wireless controllers hold their charge very well, have a very good response time, and are very light (it takes some getting used to wireless controllers and how light they are). The system does run hot, but that is not to say it's dangerous to play it for long periods at a time. Extra intake ventilation isn't good for it because it screws up the low-RPM fan that regulates airflow well on its own. If you place a fan near the exhaust vents, it helps in terms of getting heat away from the system.Software- XMB interface is excellent with the exception of not being able to play music while you play games. Games are great, there is a great lineup of games to come. Internet browser is pretty good, has all the features of any other browser. The online play is very good, free, and simple (very similar to that of Steam's system). You can load a 2nd operating system on it if you want.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 35 Days

Strengths: Excellent Graphics w/HDMI video.Thunderous sorround sound w/Optic cable.Blue ray movies Blow you away w/detail.Hard drive stores all my songs downloaded directly from my Ipod.Remote wireless for miles.

Weaknesses: none

Summary: I regret not purchasing the 60Gig version...overall, this is a great system w/ tons of featuresfor your movies to music to online play.I LOVE MY PS3!!!!

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2

Strengths: Total eye candy. Play is smooth. Online hookup is easy with the right equiptment. Sounds awesome on even on a plain TV. DVD CD Blue ray all awesome. So many options to choose in the side scroll bar.

Weaknesses: Cant really come to any right now and have been on this for 2 weeks now. I know it runs alittle hot but so what. Only thing is upon first online connection had to wait for this 20 minute system update.

Summary: First of all with all the Playstation releases I was very happy. To me seemed better than all other consoles. Now with this PS3 its more than proof of which the PS3 will rule the industry in gaming for along time. I been on this puppy for 2 weeks now and let me just let everyone know that does not have it then save your zoard (money in my lingo) to go out and get one of these. I cant wait for more titles. I went out purchased Fight Night Round 3 as my first game. Even though I had it for PS2, Anyway this game opens my eyes wider and wider every time. The Graphics are so sick I cant even explain. And this coming from someone who only has a 33" JVC tube TV. I have probably on of the lowest def TVs out there and Its still killer. I hooked it up to my phillips 330 watt stereo last night and WOW. I cant wait to go and pick up my 1080i 53" I just got off of EBAY. This is going to be the new system for the ages and everyone needs to get on this bandwagon so we can see the games come out in mass quantity. GO GO SONY.... This is more HYPED than any other system out. And I been playin video games since I was 7 and I am now 34. I bet most of you out there are not even 27 years old yet.!!

Rating: 8

Time with product: 15

Strengths: Sleek Console Exterior, Easily Expandable Hard Drive, Motion Control, Blu-Ray Movie & 1080p output, Multimedia capabilities and Free Online gaming, Backwards Compatibility, Standardized Ports

Weaknesses: Runs pretty hot, No Rumble in Controller, Handshake problems with some HDMI ports, Controller Loses Sync at Times, Average Launch Lineup, Ipod doesnt work proper, Sony Online store Slow.

Summary: Well the big ol PS3 is finally out, and as usual I had to give one a try for myself. Initially in my Xbox 360 review I noted how the Xbox 360's Core system is completely gimped and a waste of money. I think this sentiment has carried over to the 20GB Version of the PS3, which just isn't true. At Worst the 20GB is on equal to what you get with the 60GB in terms of Value. Both of them have a hard drive, and either one can be replaced just as easy as any notebook hard drive, and with any old 2.5" SATA Notebook harddrive as well. This can all be done without voiding warranty at all. Because of this, I'd find it much more worth it to replace the HD with the $100 you'd save on the 20GB System. But then again some people might want the wireless, memory card readers and the chrome. However for me, these things are pretty useless. Unpacking the system, the first thing you notice is how shiny, large, and heavy the system is. And I thought the Xbox 360 was heavy. The console stands sleek and looks quite pretty just all by itself. It's got all the great asthetics that have earned Sony the title of Style King in the realm of electronics. It's got touch sensitive buttons for power and eject and simply looks like a work of art. the Slot loading Blu-Ray drive certainly doesn't hurt either. On powerup the console stays relatively silent compared to the Xbox 360, but still emits that nice jet of Hot air. The PS3 sets up much like a PSP with all the essential info being entered in and the syncing of the controller. After setting everything up I was prompted to install a system update when I tried to log into the Playstation Online store. This process took awhile and went quite slow. Hopefully Sony will improve the speed of their Online store and updates in the future. Upon entering the Online Store I proceeded to download a few things. The Speed was slow and the store operated like a slow webpage. In addition if you were downloading an item you could not do anything with the system. And the strangest part came when I had to install a demo after I downloaded it. Needless to say the Marketplace needs a major overhaul if it's going to compete with the Xbox 360's Live Marketplace. Upon Plugging in my PS3 I couldn't help but notice some handshaking issues with HDMI which would cause my Set to blink on and off cycling through different functions like Blu-ray playback --> menu --> Game. Howeve the set did output 1080p flawlessly and the included Blu-ray Disk certainly shows off the power of 1920x1080 video. In comparison DVD's are at most 854x480. The picture is crisp and even better quality than broadcasted HDTV. For anyone looking for a great alternative to a stand-alone Blu-ray player, the PS3 is an excellent choice. One of the most disappointing parts about the PS3 is the exclusion of Rumble in the Controller. Many people think it's not too important, but after playing with rumble for so long, it certainly feels like a slice of the immersiveness has gone away. The Motion control is not apparent in many games right now except in limited settings. The best use of it can be seen in the Motorstorm demo (downloadable in Sony Online Store) where Steer the vehicle with the motion sensor (much like a steering wheel). However the format has shown great promise when I tried it out with Warhawk during E3 and I am confident we'll see more of it in the future. In terms of Graphics power, none of the games during launch showed much of the potential we were promised with the PS3. This is not too suprising to me considering the complex programming required for the multitude of multiple threads for the cell processor. As time goes by I'm certain that we'll see plenty more impressive things. However coming a year late to the party, the PS3 will suffer criticism (especially after the visceral Gears of War for the Xbox 360) for not living up to promises. Personally I found resistance and motorstorm to be very nice looking games that played very well. The lack of custom soundtracks in games like the Xbox 360 is quite disappointing. In fact the PS3 Does not work properly with the Ipod's unique song sorting at all. My Logitech USB Headset and USB Keyboard both registered properly and worked fine. However my Motorola HS850 bluetooth headset wasn't able to be detected by the Bluetooth device scan of the PS3. I hope this is something that will be remedied in a system update instead of Sony purposely not letting 3rd party bluetooth headsets work. The various multimedia capabilities (excluding Blu-ray) turned out to be rather disappointing in general and a step behind the Xbox 360. In the end the PS3 sure has a bunch of fixing to do. However many of the problems with the PS3 can be fixed with system updates. However I wonder if Sony will really get on the ball considering their shoddy history with the PSP. I'd prefer to remain optimistic since there are many great titles on the track for release on the PS3 exclusively.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 1

Strengths: 20GB one is a way better deal

Weaknesses: none

Summary: It is finally here, the console that many of us have been waiting for! The Playstation 3 console is so nice and shiny! It is the hot, new toy that everyone wants this holiday. This console comes with two available options the 20GB and the 60GB. However, the 20GB one is a way better deal. You can stick in any 2.5" notebook hard drive in easily. There's even a slot where you can pull it out without opening the case. You could easily stick in a 100+ GB HD with the money you save buying the 20GB version. You can search for this information on Google.The games look amazing. Resistance is the game that most people will probably buy when they get this system. The controllers remove the vibration function. However they incorporate the new SIXAXIS motion sensor.