Which PS3 to buy?

[quadman]

Ok gang.... the wifey and I have decided to finally break down and buy the girls a PS3 for Christmas. I didn't realize that there are fourteen different versions available. It looks as though the differences are slim and phat along with the size of the hard drive. Trying to wade through the discussion topics on the matter is mind boggling. And the "Ol quadman doesn't have much of a mind left to boggle. :dizzy:

This will be mainly just for them to play games on and watch the occassional BlueRay disc. We have a BR player in the main system. We won't be streaming any netflix or using it for any other purpose.

Thoughts from the group?

[Drunkonjack]

Why not concider the XBOX ? :loser:

[One4yu2c]

The cheapest you can find. For a couple of girls who are just going to be popping in game discs and watching movies every once in awhile, the size of the hard drive and form factor really become irrelevant.

[Ray3]

Yeah - what Paul said.

[Ronm1]

For what your looking for as suggested cheaper the better, just keep in mind that other than the slim they can be fan noise irritating, IMHO.

[Cujobob]

Get the cheapest one and maybe consider the new PSmove or if you get Xbox, the Kinect.

They're camera based addons that can be fun in groups or for younger people.

Size of the hard drive is not important for most people.

[sbisheff]

I've got an older 40gig that is great. I don't store stuff on it so I didn't care about the HD space. Its fully upgradable and will decode all HD Res Audio and shoot it out via HDMI as PCM. I don't see any reason to get any of the higher end ones ...

[Jerrin]

Really, get the cheapest newest model you can.

The only significant things that were lost on the newer models were the SACD support and the PS2 hardware emulation. In case you didn't know, the emulation lets you play older (and new) PS2 games on the PS3. In addition, the newer models allow you to bitstream the new BR codecs, or so I have heard.

If it were not for these two things (SACD and Hardware emulation), I would buy a newer slim for myself.

[Mep]

Slim base model, unless you need a space heater.

[quadman]

Thanks guys.... that's kind of what I was thinking. Dang it WOULD be nice to find one of those older 60 gig models that played the PS2 stuff. We have TONS of games after all these years and frankly, the biggest reason to NOT upgrade to the PS3. I was kinda miffed that they took away that backward compatability.

Thanks again though for the input.

[Jerrin]

Quadman,

The PS3 models that came out right after the initial model, support PS2 games, but only via software, as they removed the hardware. Based on what you are saying, you could look for an original PS3 on Ebay.

I can say that I have really enjoyed the PS2 compatibility on mine. :smoke1:

[quadman]

Quadman,

The PS3 models that came out right after the initial model, support PS2 games, but only via software, as they removed the hardware. Based on what you are saying, you could look for an original PS3 on Ebay.

I can say that I have really enjoyed the PS2 compatibility on mine. :smoke1:

Now ya see Jerrin, right here is where the mind and being boggled comes into play with the ol' quadman. To my simpleton way at looking at things is that it either plays the games or it doesn't. I don't understand the difference in what you are saying.

As for an original PS3.... I was snooping around for a 60 GB model (which as I understand it - is THE model to use for playing all or most of the PS2 stuff) and the cheapest I found for a used one was in the neighborhood of what the new ones cost ~ $300. For a NIB 60 GB model, they were going for anywhere between $700 - $1200. Hell, for THAT much more.... I could replace a hell of a lot of the current games with newer versions. So that isn't really an option as I see it.

[Jerrin]

Now ya see Jerrin, right here is where the mind and being boggled comes into play with the ol' quadman. To my simpleton way at looking at things is that it either plays the games or it doesn't. I don't understand the difference in what you are saying.

As for an original PS3.... I was snooping around for a 60 GB model (which as I understand it - is THE model to use for playing all or most of the PS2 stuff) and the cheapest I found for a used one was in the neighborhood of what the new ones cost ~ $300. For a NIB 60 GB model, they were going for anywhere between $700 - $1200. Hell, for THAT much more.... I could replace a hell of a lot of the current games with newer versions. So that isn't really an option as I see it.

Ok, let me take a step back. The original PS3 model (the one I have) basically has an extra chip (the emotion engine) that was at the heart of the PS2. In essence, you have a PS2 and a PS3 together.

Next, Sony changed things and removed the physical Emotion Engine in order to lower costs. Now it used software to achieve PlayStation 2 backwards compatibility. However, the drawback with this method was that some newer games for the PS2 were not playable as the software approach was not perfect (i.e. some games will not work).

Still later, Sony made lots of positive changes (more efficient, quieter, full bitstreaming) but the software emulation was removed, making any PlayStation 2 emulation impossible (will not play any PS2 games). This is where the slims are today. Plus, I think (but am not positive) that SACD playback has been removed as well. The big deal with the slim is the improved efficiency, reduced noise, and bitstreaming.

For what you are wanting, I would try to get a used, but still in good condition, 60GB "old" PS3 and maybe the PS3 move. It will work with all PS2 games as it IS a PS2 and a PS3 at the same time. That would make a heck of a Xmas present.

Does that help you any Quadman?

[quadman]

Ok, let me take a step back..... Does that help you any Quadman?

THANK YOU Jerrin. Now that's the kind of splainin' this old fart can get a grip on and was exactly what I was looking for. It is much appreciated.

:whew:

[shotoons]

Quadman,

I have an original 60GB PS3 I can sell you. Since I don't have any PS2 games, I've been thinking of getting a new
one with the Move bundle.

Make me an offer. Caution, it's got a noisy fan. Can also
include the Playstation Eye if you want.