bit-tech Shopping: Sony Playstation 3 40GB Console W/Spiderman 3 Blu-ray Disc

Rating: 10

Time with product: 3 Months

Strengths: Quiet, less heat than other PS3 models

Weaknesses: not compatible to old PS2 games

Summary: PS3 is a great console. I indeed like playing this over Wii. The main reason is that I can download playable demo of new games, such that I can try playing to see which games I really like to buy it. In addition, being a Blu-ray player is a plus.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 2 Months

Strengths: Great graphics, free online play, Blu-ray player.

Weaknesses: Games are a bit expensive, as are the extra controllers and other accessories. It scratches rather easy.

Summary: This is a great product. The system was put together very well, it?s very sturdy. I loved playing Assassins Creed on it, it has great graphics. The Six-axis feature is very fun to use. Being able to play online free is also a big plus. This is a great buy, and I recommend it to anyone who likes consoles.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2 Months

Strengths: Blu-Ray HD, 1080P

Weaknesses: Cost of console and accessories (i.e. extra controller & remote)

Summary: The Sony PS3 is an awesome do everything home entertainment unit. For the price of a stand alone BLu-Ray player, the PS3 is the way to go. Beautiful Blu-Ray playback in full 1080P HD. Also once connected to the internet, the firmware stays up to date and one can purchase additional games, view movie trailers and surf the web.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 25 Days

Strengths: Great multimedia feature (DivX playback, web browser, etc), USB interface, and best of all, Blu-ray drive!

Weaknesses: Lack of Dualshock 3 controller, Lack of killer title

Summary: When Sony introduced PS3, they expected it to be not just gaming console but also a part of Home Theatre setup. All I can say is Sony really did well.With the most recent firmware update, it's now able to play lots of video files. You can simply put your videos, musics, pictures, etc, into USB drive. Just plug the USB drive in, and you now have great multimedia player with capable of virtually most of major file formats.Also, thanks to its USB interface, which lets you use most if not all of the USB accessories from keyboard to headset.And best of all, built-in Blu-ray drive is just awesome. With High-def media war one step closer to the end, Blu-ray is far superior against its rival, HD-DVD. At least, BD has much brighter feature than HD-DVD now, and you are ready to enjoy BD movie with PS3.Of course, it does have weakness. First all, while they have great games, yet lack of killer titles might be downhill against its arch rival, XBOX360. Most of PS3 titles are cross platform. But beginning with Gran Turismo 5: Prologue this spring and Metal Gear Solid 5 this summer, there will be PS3 exclusive titles. Ready to "real" game.Also, a lack of Dual Shock 3 controller in bundle might be downhill for some. As I didn't enjoy the vibration with Dual Shock 1 (PS One) and 2 (PS2) anyway, it wasn't a big deal to me. But I am pretty sure at some point, Sony will start to include the controller as a bundle. But for me, SIXAXIS is still a good controller.So far, I have been enjoying numerous features from PS3, and expecting it will be continued!

Rating: 6

Time with product: 9

Strengths: Blu Ray playback, easy PSP like menu

Weaknesses: No HDMI cable included, cannot play PS2/PS1 games unless you buy the high end 80GB edition.

Summary: Excellent for playing Blu Ray movies, includes a Wireless PS3 Sixaxis remote, however I have found the cable to charge it to be too short. The graphics are OK, but my best friends XBOX 360 two years old has a more powerful graphics processor than the PS3, however it lacks HDMI. New XBOX 360 (elite) include said HDMI output, and for the extra money you get a way better system (graphics wise, in my opinion). My recommendation is to buy an HDMI cable and enjoy the console, I have found no problems with it but I did not buy it to play games, I bought it to play Blu Ray movies.