The Playstation 3, or PS3 as it is fast becoming known, is the most advanced computer system to date. The PS3 was released on the 11th March 2007, with 2 versions of the console. One with a 60gb hard disc, and another with a 40gb disc that doesnt play PS2 games. The PS3 only comes in black at the moment.

The PS3 is a console which pioneers the next generation computer entertainment industry, and revolutionarises gaming, taking it to a new level.

With the use of a Cell and RSX processor, alongside the playability of the back catalog of PlayStation and PlayStation 2 (PS2) gaming titles.

With Giga-bit Ethernet coming with the PS3, alongside a pre-installed hard disk drive (HDD) as standard in the PS3. Users are able to therefore download a variety of contents to their PS3, as well as instant access to online games and services over the Internet.

The PS3 has basic input and output ports. The PS3 supports an array of conventional NTSC and PAL standard TVs, including widescreen TVs, flat panel displays, plasma TVs and older TVs.

The heat and noise reduction placed on the PS3 is equivalent to that of the current slim-line PlayStation 2.

With the increased amount of computational power of the Cell processor, the PS3 is able to play Blu-Ray (BD) discs at a rate of 48Mbps. This is the maximum bit rate defined in BD standards.

The controller for PS3 employs a highly sensitive six-axis sensing system. The PS3 controller is capable of processing all parameters within the controller itself. This means that the user doesn't have to edit any settings on the game itself.

PS3 Specifications

• CPU: Cell Processor
• GPU: RSX
• Sound: Dolby 5.1ch, DTS, LPCM, etc. (Cell-based processing)
• Memory: 256MB XDR Main RAM, 256MB GDDR3 VRAM
• HDD: 2.5" Serial ATA (60GB)
• I/O: USB 2.0 (x4) - MemoryStick/SD/CompactFlash
• Communication: Ethernet (x1 / 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T) - IEEE 802.11 b/g - Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR)
• Wireless controller (Bluetooth)
• AV Output: Screen size 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
• HDMI OUT - (x1 / HDMI NextGen)
• AV MULTI OUT (x1)
• DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL) (x1)
• BD/DVD/CD Drive (Read Only): Maximum Read Speed BD 2x (BD-ROM), DVD 8x (DVD-ROM), CD 24x (CD-ROM)
• Super Audio CD 2x
• Dimensions: Approximately 325mm (W) x 98mm (H) x 274mm (D)
• Weight: Approximately 5 kg