Thinking about buying a PS3...

[FlightSuit]

But I've got a few questions:

 

1) Do I need an extended warranty, and if so, who should I buy it from?

 

2) Who should I buy the actual console from? It seems the price is $299 no matter where you look, but are there any deals out there at all?

 

3) Are there any non-slim PS3s left in the pipeline, and if so, who's got 'em? I like the previous generation mainly because of the ability to install Linux. Is this a good enough reason to choose the older model, or is that benefit outweighed by the lower power requirements and presumed better reliability of the PS3 Slim?

 

I'm sure all of these questions have been debated at great length, but I do appreciate any guidance you can offer.

[DaytonaUSA]

But I've got a few questions:

 

1) Do I need an extended warranty, and if so, who should I buy it from?

 

2) Who should I buy the actual console from? It seems the price is $299 no matter where you look, but are there any deals out there at all?

 

3) Are there any non-slim PS3s left in the pipeline, and if so, who's got 'em? I like the previous generation mainly because of the ability to install Linux. Is this a good enough reason to choose the older model, or is that benefit outweighed by the lower power requirements and presumed better reliability of the PS3 Slim?

 

I'm sure all of these questions have been debated at great length, but I do appreciate any guidance you can offer.

 

 

1. No, unlike the 360, the PS3 is actually a great piece of hardware. I've had mine for some time now and it's running nice and strong unlike my old Xbox.

 

2. Amazon has some great deals sometimes on bundles. I got mine from a retailer in Japan. Unlike most popular import sites, this place had the systems at a non-marked up retail price plus shipping. I was able to get a white fat PS3 and I love it to death. However, you'll probably just want an American one as you won't be able to play US DVDs on it (Blu Rays are just fine as Japanese and American Blu Rays are the same region).

 

3.I like the fat, but not for the reason you named. The Linux bit isn't really worth it. It's a great gaming machine.. not a computer, ya know? I love the shiny automotive paint of the old one and the over all design better. Both systems allow you to put in a laptop hdd, which is great. I have a 500 GB one in mine.. it came with a 40 GB.

 

Either way you go is great. I'd suggest a used one.. maybe.. but cosmetically, they're 100% guaranteed to look like poo as most people aren't like us and get the system out of the box, put it on a shelf and then don't move it around and bash it up. $299 is great for a new system like the PS3, which has Blu Ray, rechargeable controllers, built in wifi, cheap HDD upgrades, and free online. I paid about $400 which was a great price at the time. I don't like all the "main" games per say. The PS3 has a lot of quirky exclusive games that are a blast to play. You'll love it.

 

If you like mid 90s arcade type gameplay there's a lot of games like that, like Motorstorm for instance. It's by far my favorite out of the 3. Let us know which you choose.

[FlightSuit]

I've played the Motorstom demo in various stores and I love it. I've been addicted to 4X4 Evolution 2 for quite some time, but I need something more challenging now, and I'm hoping Motorstorm might fit the bill.

 

Oh, I totally forgot one of my concerns: This may be a dumb question, but do these modern consoles still come with the type of normal A/V cable you'd use for hooking them up to a conventional TV?

[DaytonaUSA]

I've played the Motorstom demo in various stores and I love it. I've been addicted to 4X4 Evolution 2 for quite some time, but I need something more challenging now, and I'm hoping Motorstorm might fit the bill.

 

Oh, I totally forgot one of my concerns: This may be a dumb question, but do these modern consoles still come with the type of normal A/V cable you'd use for hooking them up to a conventional TV?

 

Yea, Motorstorm is pretty challenging .

 

As far as the AV cables, yep... but you can get HDMI cables online for like 6 bucks for a 10 foot cable. I got mine for even cheaper. Unlike other cords, HDMI cables are either working or not.. there is no "better cable". Don't overpay.

 

Oh and btw, Sonic and Sega All Stars Racing is the best game I've played in a looong time. That and Motorstorm Pacific Storm are the two top racing games (arcade style) on the PS3, and they are must owns.

[FlightSuit]

Good to know! Right now all of my gaming occurs on a GMA950 Intel iMac, so if I do this, I know even the least impressive PS3 game is going to seem like quite an improvement.

[potatohead]

We have the newer model and love it. It's a great blu-ray player, and the games I've played so far are excellent. Hard disk on mine is 250GB, so that's plenty of room to install to hard disk on games, which I recommend you do.

 

The sony store is spartan, but simple to use. I've picked up a couple of digital only games, and they are cheap and easy.

 

I like the wireless and bluetooth support! I've a bluetooth mouse and keyboard that work great with the PS3. Almost no games will deal with the mouse, but the keyboard is great for goofing around in the @Home, online venue.

 

A coupla weekends ago, I jumped on the @home site and had a good time checking out all the places, and there are a fair number of games to play and things to do. Got sucked into playing pool for way too long... That's one of the best features, IMHO. You can buy the thing, then put it on the net, and do a ton of crap without buying anything else. The kids and I had fun checking out @home, and found some nice games to play.

[FlightSuit]

Do I want to spend extra for the 250GB model? Can I just copy a game that I own onto the hard drive? How much space does one game take up? What about disk utilities? On my Mac, I periodically run Disk Warrior and Tech Tool Pro to find issues and fix them before they come a problem. I'm guessing there's nothing similar for the PS3. Does it just automatically run diagnostics and repairs on itself? Does its status as a game console, rather than a computer, somehow avert the need to run such utilities?

[potatohead]

IMHO, I wouldn't worry too much about it. The thing runs linux, and has a closed filesystem. It's not like you are going to be running much besides the software they provide, and the occasional system update.

 

For me, the disk is just a cache for content to experience. I don't care past that and don't plan on investing too heavy.

[HammR25]

I wouldn't specifically try to find a 250gb model because unlike the 360, the PS3 will accept pretty much any internal laptop drive and they're easy to change out. The only way someone would really need 250gb is if they loaded a bunch of their own MP3s and videos on it or something.

[FlightSuit]

Good to know!

 

So...

 

No proprietary hard drive.

 

Standard USB instead of proprietary controller ports.

 

No charge for online services.

 

NO RROD.

 

Remind me again why anybody would ever buy the Xbox 360?

 

That's a rhetorical question.

[Bilnick]

Actually the 360 and PS3 use a standard USB port for wired controllers and recharging.

 

I wouldn't bother trying to find the original fat "George Foreman Grill" PS3. I prefer the looks of the slimmer PS3, plus the slim PS3 has real buttons to power the system, unlike the touch buttons on the original PS3 that would turn the system on every time my wife dusted.

[DaytonaUSA]

Actually the 360 and PS3 use a standard USB port for wired controllers and recharging.

 

I wouldn't bother trying to find the original fat "George Foreman Grill" PS3. I prefer the looks of the slimmer PS3, plus the slim PS3 has real buttons to power the system, unlike the touch buttons on the original PS3 that would turn the system on every time my wife dusted.

 

 

If he's interested in the fat PS3 though, it's obvious he likes the design. There really aren't any mechanical differences between the two, just cosmetic. Personally, I like the heat touch buttons and sleek paint job on the old models a lot better than the ..well.. what looks like a simple game system look of the slims.

 

As long as you get one, you're fine .

 

And regarding the USB.. the 360 might use USB on it's wired controllers, but no one really uses those unless you're a PC user. The 360 can NOT charge itself with a detachable wire like the PS3, which cuts expenses by you not having to buy a charger cradle system and rechargeable batteries. They look like the ones for the Wii, and while it doesn't seem like much, I always hated the extra clutter of having to fit that charging station on my gaming shelf.

 

The only bad thing is that if the PS3 isn't on, the controller doens't charge. This isn't a big deal however, as the controller charges abnormally quickly, and usually will be fully recharged as you play a game before turning on your system.

 

 

 

Do you like black? If you like the white one better, getting an import model might be for you. Beware of "asian" and "Japanese" models THEY ARE DIFFERENT! Asian models will NOT play US Blu Ray movie disks! Only Japanese systems. If you see a cheap asian model, that's why.

[moycon]

The 360 can NOT charge itself with a detachable wire like the PS3,

 

Sure it can and you don't need to leave the machine booted up. Just sayin.

 

I'm looking to get a slim myself (Waiting for Amazon to get them back in stock at $299). I haven't had the chance to check one out yet, but I'm hoping the slim unit is quieter then the old ones when the fans kick in. Normally when the unit is just running it's fine, but if you use it for any length of time (Like say watching a movie) the fans eventually turn on and they are loud.

[monzamess]

If you want a BC model, look for any 20GB unit, 60GB unit, or certain 80GB units (those will have 4 USB ports and use partial software emulation of the PS2). So, only units from the very beginning. Remember the 20GB units are missing some features like built-in WiFi (in case you might be tempted to buy one and stick in a large HD). The original 60GB model truly has the most features of any PS3.

 

These models usually sell for more on eBay than new ones cost (even the 20GB models, and sometimes even the broken ones). Auctions usually end high, and most BINs are just out there. I think it's mainly the sellers squeezing the BC for all its worth. However, if you constantly scour the newly listed BINs, you can sometimes catch a deal, for example, a 60GB unit with extra controllers for around $250. Just watch for scammers. Besides the normal scammers who never intended to sell you anything in the first place, I have seen more subtle scams where someone has a 40GB unit but put in a 60GB drive. They call it a 60GB model but of course it won't have the same features.

 

If I didn't care about BC I'd be all over the slim model, since I doubt I will ever try Linux on a PS3.

Edited March 9, 2010 by monzamess

[HammR25]

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[moycon]

http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/31458?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SlickdealsnetFP+%28SlickDeals.net+Frontpage%29

 

 

Dang, It looks like they are out now. Just says call for price.

[HammR25]

Dell also has Uncharted 2 for sale for $40 on the bottom right of the PS3 product page.

[Chris Leach]

Final Fantasy XIII just came out and looks amazing on the PS3...can't vouch for the Xbox, but I am sure you would be happy with a PS3, especially if you could find a backwards compatible system....there are so many ps2 games out there that are still top notch..>!

[cimerians]

Get the slim, I want one of course but it seems they are still around $299, I may be able to get a discount through Dell cause I deal with them directly through work.

 

I'm gonna start asking.

 

 

BC is nice but the slim PS2's are so small it kinda doesnt matter if your PS3 is BC or not. On the other hand, for conveniance and maybe some graphic smoothing it is.

[Bilnick]

The 360 controller with the USB powered play and charge kit is the same price as a PS3 controller ($45 at Amazon.com). The main difference between the two is that you can actually use the controller while it is charging on the 360, where as the included USB cable that comes with the PS3 is only a foot long or so.

 

Of course with the 360 or Wii you can use common rechargable AA batteries that most people probably already have.

 

I finally broke down and bought a PS3 controller charge station. The batteries in the PS3 controllers seem to lose their charge over time (like a month or so). The rare times I have multiple people over to play PS3 I have had dead controllers.

 

Of course about a week after I bought my recharging station I read a suggestion that PS3 controllers could be charged via the USB port on a DirecTV receiver. And if Moycon is correct a 360 can be used as well!

Edited March 9, 2010 by Bilnick

[moycon]

could be charged via the USB port on a DirecTV receiver. And if Moycon is correct a 360 can be used as well!

 

Yep, I've charged up my controllers (PS3 and 360) on various devices, including my PC, laptop and the USB port on my HD-DVD player, really whatever's closest and has a USB port.

[+SpiceWare]

I use one of these to charge up my PS3 controllers. Keeps them tidy when not in use.

[DaytonaUSA]

The 360 can NOT charge itself with a detachable wire like the PS3,

 

Sure it can and you don't need to leave the machine booted up. Just sayin.

 

I'm looking to get a slim myself (Waiting for Amazon to get them back in stock at $299). I haven't had the chance to check one out yet, but I'm hoping the slim unit is quieter then the old ones when the fans kick in. Normally when the unit is just running it's fine, but if you use it for any length of time (Like say watching a movie) the fans eventually turn on and they are loud.

 

 

Unless they changed it the 360 controller runs off of alkaline batteries. Any charging method is third party or an extra accessory. To my knowledge, if there is a charging cord, it doesn't come with the in box wireless controller.

[moycon]

Any charging method is third party or an extra accessory.

 

Exactly. It's been like that since day one. As Bilnick pointed out. A 360 controller with the necessary first party accessories (in the same box) is the same price as a PS3 controller. The big difference with the 360 controller (and that I like), is if your battery ever stops accepting charges, you can pick up another for around $10. As far as I know, if your PS3 battery poops out, time to invest in a new one. I've not seen it happen yet, but it might be a different story in a few years. Just FYI.

[HammR25]

Unless they changed it the 360 controller runs off of alkaline batteries. Any charging method is third party or an extra accessory. To my knowledge, if there is a charging cord, it doesn't come with the in box wireless controller.

The batteries in a Dualshock 3 are not replaceable. The rechargeables for the 360 are. Yes the play and charge cord for the 360 controllers is an add-on. I'm pretty sure most people with a 360 prefer 3rd party rechargeable batteries anyway because they're cheaper.