Sony PlayStation 3 320GB Slim Console

What's left to be said about the Playstation3 that hasn't already been said? This 320GB slim version has replaced my old original 40GB PS3 system, which sadly developed the dreaded yellow-light-of-death problem, so it was time to get myself a new system.

Unfortunately, I used the PS3 as a central hub for all my photos as it's such a joy viewing photographs in such colourful clarity and detail on a large LCD or plasma screen. Massively fortunately though, the hair-dryer-around-the-back method of reheating the unit actually worked and I got the old girl booted up again. This enabled me to transfer all my existing data (photos, videos, game saves, downloaded content) onto the new system once it had arrived, was very quick - amazing service again, Amazon!

So what's so good about the PS3, or rather what do I personally get out of it that makes it such a good investment? First and foremost it's a great games machine, and with the increase of original Playstation games being available to play again it's so much fun playing the latest great games as well as those old classics, which aren't less enjoyable. I've just started re-playing Skyrim again so that'll be it for another few months, lol.

It's also a Blu-ray player, so I can enjoy high-definition movies and video on my TV. Awesome! It is also slowly becoming a depository for all my photos and video and the old music track, but with the ability to hook up to media servers it can stream data from my PC or laptop too. Additional features like LoveFilm or BBC iPlayer being available on the system, as well as the ability to rent and own downloadable games and movies from the Playstation Store makes it a hugely valuable piece of kit which doesn't break the bank: I got my system as part of a bundle with a free Playstation Move pack and additional official PS3 controller, another great deal from Amazon.

Just an incredible machine: awesome games, high-definition graphics and video, fantastic audio, a storage space for photos, video and music, USB inputs, WiFi internet access and built-in Bluetooth - a truly multimedia system that does the job admirably and all within a sleek, quiet box.

POSITIVES

* Free, functional and efficient online gaming service

* The sheer amount of high quality PS3 exclusive games. Despite what certain groups might try to say to have you think otherwise, the fact is these games are truly the games that push the limits of all console gaming within the industry and that all these games are only found on the PS3 - This is simply because the PS3 has the power and space to be able to do what it's competition (though good in their own rights compared to PS3 in different aspects but power isn't one of them) are simply unable to do for lack thereof of the same reason. Also the frequency of release for PS3 exclusive games is very high so there's always games to play.

* With constant updates the PS3 is guaranteed to be an up to the times high quality blu ray player which is legitimate full 1080p true High Definition and thanks to updates is now fully 3D enabled as well.

* The PS3 is a truly awesome multimedia machine - it will play photos, music, movies, dvd and blu ray all with amazing effect. But it also has many audio features too like Dolby output, true 7.1 surround sound capability with HD audio.

* Given that it has Netflix, Lovefilm, free music video jukebox, BBC iPlayer (and ITV and Channel 4 equivalents) plus a basic but relatively functional internet browser all freely and readily available on the desktop menu plus all of the multimedia features previously mentioned - it's not difficult to see how it would be an indispensable entertainment machine for a lot of people nowadays. It certainly is for me.

* With PS3 you will NOT need to constantly use batteries which aren't supplied in order to use your system. The PS3 is the only console system which as standard comes with a pad that doesn't use batteries and instead comes with a universal USB charger. So you're not constantly pumping money at it in order to use it.

NEGATIVES

* PSN though free, it isn't the best online service as constant updates are a pain and nor has it been the most secure platform historically. But on the flip side it's free so I won't complain too much. But Sony should take notice from Microsoft on this front and make there automatic game update feature a free service to all not just PS Plus subscribers in my opinion.

* Lack of backwards compatibility for previous generation titles (they're basically re-selling them back to us via the PSN instead) sucks for us and it is a sticking point for a lot of people but me personally I get new consoles for new games not to play old ones as I have my old consoles for those games. But it's still a negative.

* For me the PS3 pad design is too small for me personally and I'm not a fan of it's trigger buttons - luckily there's cheaply priced yet wonderful quality 3rd party mods that clip on to the PS3 pad which more than corrects this personal gripe of mine.

OVERALL

Ultimately the few negatives don't affect the many positives of the system as the PS3 offers so much bang for your buck as it is that it's pure insanity in the first place. Hence the 5 stars hands down.

In fact if anyone can demonstrate to me an online enabled gaming/entertainment machine out there for under £300 that beats the PS3 either readily or by the skin of it's teeth in terms of features and power then I would challenge anyone to do so, because if such a product exists I want to know what it is. But it won't happen for a while as such a product does not exist yet.

Bottom line - it's about as highly recommended as a healthy & balanced diet!

had this a year now and just wanted to say its still brilliant

powerful, compact, stylish, doesnt crash thanks to regular software updates from sony.

I hammer it too...streaming, gaming, watching iplayer, 4OD, blu-rays - and still works great, quietly too, unlike some older consoles that get deafening with age!

Gaming power and additional functions make this hugely superior to rival conosles and it will only be rpelaced with whatever sony make next.

buy one!