User Reviews

1. Review Date: 2009-11-23

   Another good system to add to my sony collection. The playstation is a wonderful system that at first i didnt like but got hooked on since the first Playstation. Naughty Dog and Insomniac, creators of the crash bandicoot, jak and daxter, spyro the dragon and ratchet and clank series, still follow Sony with games that are a must have. The trophy idea is a fun system to try to just collect as many trophies as one can to level up. Fast downloadable which doesn't interfere with gameplay since you can download it on the background. Interestingly enough, the ps3 has printer features which you can connect your printer to the ps3, not sure how, haven't tried it.
   
   The slogan "It only does everything" is sort of true since it can't play ps2 games but the online accesibility is fast and reliable.
   The downloadable content is well done, however more games should be added like the call of duty series from the ps2.
   
   The fan and noise issues aren't that bad as people suggest. The heat isnt as strong as the xbox360 pro, but havent checked the elite to compare it with.
   
   Online gameplay seems cool however some disconnection issues may occur. For online chatting with your friends I would reccomend the accesories though they arent needed but help with communication. Bluetooth connection allows you to use your bluetooth headsets so no need to buy the playstation headset.
   Overall it is a great console with many features. Like all systems it has its features and the lacks. But if youre into gaming mainly single player or co-op or maybe even online without paying 50 dollars yearly, it is a good console to buy.
   
   The extended warranty sony gives to the console is unbeatable by any non-online retailer. 100 dollars for 4 years. However I'd recommend squaretrade.
   
   User: Carlos E. Coto
   Rating:
   Summary: Sony does it again
   Helpful Votes: 0
   Total Votes: 0
   

2. Review Date: 2009-11-21

   I had no idea which unit to buy, the 120 or the 250 GB Playstation 3. I ended up with the 250 out of fear that the 120 would leave me desiring more space later. If you don't know anything, here is what I see so far. On the Playstation network, you can download game demos and marketing videos for games free. I haven't found myself doing this a lot yet. Of course, you can also delete them easily after you watch them.
   
   Most playable games even old ones cost to download so I have decided to just buy a couple of the popular ones and am hooked on those and the stunning DVD and Blu Ray movie quality for now. You are not going to be able to download games like Modern Warefare 2 to your hard drive from the PS network that I can see. WHen you buy a game at the store or here on amazon in disc format, you have to install it first. This may take some hard drive space. So far, one game I have takes nearly 3 GB and another takes up less than 1 GB but the games also called for an update download which I don't know how much space that took. At this rate, you could install maybe 100 store bought disc format games.
   
   Playing movies on disc doesn't seem to take hard drive space. You can download movies from the Playstation network. If you do much of this, I image you'll need more space but the movies I was interested in cost the same amount to buy from amazon or wal-mart as to download so if you can wait to go to the store or recieve a package, you don't need to download it. You can rent movies also. I imagine this is a download that is disabled after a time period or after it is viewed or something. You can also download TV shows like "The Office" for $2 an eposode. If you want to do a lot of that, maybe the bigger HD is a good idea.
   
   I am thinking you would do well with just the 120GB unless you know you are going to make a collection of movies and TV shows and low priced downloadable games on your Playstation.
   
   You can also save photos on the Playstation as well as video. If this is part of your plan, well again more space may help. The PS3 has USB ports where I believe you could load photos and home movies from to view on your TV.
   
   You can also access your applications on the www like facebook.
   
   Bare in mind that there are a lot of folkes out there with older PS3's that have only 40 and 80 GB drives who love their playstation and don't feel the need for the 250 GB drive.
   
   I don't feel upset that I spent the extra $50 to get the larger drive because it might be useful later, but if I knew then what I know now, I would have been comfortable buying the 120 for my purposes which is playing a small number of games (not a small amount of time, just a small number of games because they cost a lot) and watching some Blu Ray movies.
   
   If you still find it hard to make a decision, ask yourself if you want to spend more money because both models are the same except the HD size which you can upgrade later. By the time you buy the unit, HD cable, a game, maybe another controller and remote control for Blu Ray, you'll be in deep on the expense and maybe another $50 isn't acceptable.
   
   It is a very good and fun product. After I spent all the money on what I needed, I debated on hooking it up or sending it back because it was a lot of money; I'm very glad I hooked it up and delt with the expense. It is everything I hoped.
   
   User: J. Gary
   Rating:
   Summary: 250 vs. 120 PS3
   Helpful Votes: 2
   Total Votes: 2
   

3. Review Date: 2009-11-21

   I love it......the wireless part, able to watch 1000's of netflix titles....and the connection to the internet......wow......the blue ray disk player, and it makes my regular tv look better than my plasma!
   Buy it...I am so busy playing, I don't have time to write!
   
   User: Jeffery S. Sidler
   Rating:
   Summary: Blast off on this new playstation
   Helpful Votes: 0
   Total Votes: 0
   

4. Review Date: 2009-11-15

   I have never owned a Playstation in my life. I had played off of the original playstation like ten years ago. I have always been an Xbox/PC fan, but decided that I needed a playstation 3 so that I could play Heavy Rain when it comes out. Good thing I waited, because this awesome slim version came out with all this memory. The machine is delightful! The internet is free (unlike Xbox Live) and it looks great in HD on my big screen TV. It also plays blue-ray flawlessly. If you are going to get a Playstation 3, go with this model!!
   
   User: Philip M. Thompson
   Rating:
   Summary: Great price for a powerful machine!
   Helpful Votes: 2
   Total Votes: 2
   

5. Review Date: 2009-11-13

   I've been kicking the tires and debating which high end game platform to purchase for the last two years or longer since both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 hit the market.
   
   I jumped on the Nintendo Wii bandwagon the day it launched as I'm a huge fan of the Legend of Zelda series and this was a must have for me. I have been playing most games on it such as the Guitar Hero and Rock Band series as well as the Mario titles however I get bored of most of the games pretty easily. There have been many times over the last two years that I filled a cart with the 'starter' pieces of both systems, and deleted the cart instead of pushing the button.
   
   In the end, I chose the PS3 for the following reasons:
   
   1) More of my friends that had both systems were buying games now for the PS3 when the titles were on both PS3/Xbox
   2) For the $349 price Point I get both online game play and wireless networking included in the game vs. an additional $150 at purchase and $50 a year afterwords
   3) Bluray Movie Playing.
   
   Having got four titles with the purchase as part of my order I am very happy with my purchase. I got 'kid friendly' games such as Little big Planet and Ratchet and Clank as well as some of the more mature titles of Call of Duty: MW2 and Borderlands.
   
   My only complaint is there is no mention that the HDMI requires some kind of copy protection crap to work. If your TV is High Definition this doesn't guarantee it will work. I've got a 2001 57" CRT Projection HDTV that does up to 1080i and has a DVI port. I've been using my satellite DVR and other devices switched through an Outlaw 990 Pre-Amp for years with on issues. The PS3 fired up and gave me a nice big black screen with no error messages or anything. It took me an hour of troubleshooting and web surfing to figure out that my TV doesn't have this HDCP copy protection junk so it won't work with my PS3. Being one to understand digital rights protection concerns at the same time this is stupid and it should at least give you a message out that port to the display what is going on. no picture isn't enough.
   
   Other than this I had no issues getting the unit up & running on the PSN and playing some games locally and online using my wireless network.
   
   User: Tom Boucher
   Rating:
   Summary: Two Year Holdout Takes the Plunge
   Helpful Votes: 4
   Total Votes: 4
   

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Editorial Reviews

The fourth generation of hardware released for the PlayStation 3 entertainment platform, the PlayStation 3 250GB system is the next stage in the evolution of Sony's console gaming powerhouse. Loaded with a mix of multimedia features and functions available on earlier PlayStation 3 models, as well as a series of new advancements and refinements, the PlayStation 3 250GB system is destined to push the envelope in the realm of Next-Generation entertainment. What's Under the Hood As with previous models, the PlayStation 3 250GB system features an IBM "Cell" processor and a co-developed NVIDIA graphics processor that together allow the system to perform two trillion calculations per second. Yet the 250GB system manages to improve on this with its 45nm version of the processor, which although running at the same 60+nm speed as previous PS3 versions, uses less energy. This makes the unit's smaller size and quieter fan possible. Along with the traditional AV and composite connections, the 250GB system also boasts an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port, which delivers uncompressed, unconverted digital picture and sound to compatible high-definition TVs and projectors. (The system is capable of 128-bit pixel precision and 1080p resolution for a full HD experience) This console also provides for an extreme sound experience by supporting Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, as well as Linear PCM 7.1. Finally, it features cross connectivity with your PC network and PlayStation Portable (PSP) and its pre-installed, 250GB hard disc drive allows you to save games as well as download content from The Internet. Unlike The some other models of The PlayStation 3, The 250GB system does not offer backwards compatibility. The same functionality now in a smaller, more quiet and energy efficient package View larger. Space saving when placed upright... View larger. As well as when horizontal View larger. A textured, no fingerprint finish View larger. Blu-ray, PlayStation Network Downloads and Beyond PlayStation 3 utilizes The Blu-ray disc media format, which gives you The best high-definition viewing experience on your television, by way of The format's ability to hold six times as much data as traditional DVDs. This tremendous capacity, combined with The awesome power of The system's processor and graphics card, promises an endless stream of mind-blowing games, and other multimedia content. This doesn't mean though that The PS3 is limited to Blu-ray discs. It also supports CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R formats. In addition, PlayStation 3 system software includes BD Live support that allows you to play discs that support Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.0 (BD-LIVE), meaning you can also connect to The Internet while playing discs that support this format to obtain additional features. And of course PS3 owners also receive free access to The PlayStation Network (PSN), where through The PlayStation Store and PlayStation Home, they can download games, game demos, movies, and other content, as well as chat with friends, play mini-games, compete in tournaments and explore dedicated game spaces. Sensational Controller The Dualshock 3 wireless controller included with The PlayStation 3 250GB system provides The most intuitive game play experience, with pressure sensors in each action button and The inclusion of The highly sensitive Sixaxis motion sensing technology. Each hit, crash and explosion is more realistic when The user feels The rumble right in The palm of their hand. It can even detect natural movements for real-time and high precision interactive play, acting as a natural extension of The user’s body. Dualshock 3 utilizes Bluetooth technology for wireless game play and The controller’s detachable USB cable to seamlessly and automatically charge The controller when connected to The PlayStation 3. By integrating all of these features into The popular PlayStation controller design, The Dualshock 3 further enhances The advanced gameplay experience only available on The PlayStation 3 system. Synch with Your Other Sony HDMI Devices The PlayStation 3 250GB system features HDMI + Bravia Synch functionality. Bravia Synch allows connectivity between Sony HDMI products, without having to utilize multiple remote controls. This means that with The push of one button users can control compliant Sony devices connected to your PS3 via HDMI cable. What's in The Box: New slimmer and lighter PS3 system with a 250 GB HDD, Internet-ready built-in Wi-Fi, 2 USB ports and HDMI + Bravia Synch output for 1080p resolution and connectivity between other Sony HDMI products. Dualshock 3 wireless controller. AC power cord, AV cable and USB cable. Free PlayStation Network membership. System Specifications: CPU Cell Broadband Engine (Cell/B.E.) GPU RSX Sound LPCM 7.1ch, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTs, DTS-HD, AAC Memory 256MB XDR Main RAM, 256MB GDDR3 VRAM HDD 2.5" Serial ATA 250GB Networking Ethernet X1 (10BASE-T,100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T) IEEE 802.11 b/g Included Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR) Included Controller Dualshock 3 wireless controller included AV Output Resolution 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i (for PAL 576p, 576i) HDMI OUT + Bravia Synch 1 AV MULTI OUT 1 DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL) 1 BD/DVD/CD Drive (Read Only) Maximum Read Speed BD 2x (BD-ROM) DVD 8x (DVD-ROM) CD 24x (CD-ROM) USB Ports 2 Backwards Compatibility No Dimensions 13.385"(w) x 13.385"(h) x 6.299"(d) Weight Approx. 7.05 lb.

Product Details

1. 250GB HDD for storing games, music, videos, and photos
2. High-Definition Blu-ray player for the best movie experience
3. Free PlayStation Network membership
4. Plays DVDs and CDs
5. Internet ready with built-in Wi-Fi