Which PS3 Model?

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

I have the 40G model right now and will probably be moving that into the BR, so I'm looking at getting a new one for the LR, and am wondering which one is the best to go with.

Let me say up front that I have no PS2 games and don't care at all about backwards compatibility. The SACD feature is nice, but I already have a player so also not a big deal to me. What I do care about is anything related to Blu Ray playback, meadia server compatibility, and overall reliability.

I am aware of 5 different models:

20G original
60G original
80G I believe this was the second gen
40G this is what I have
120G This is the new slim model

So, what do you guys think?

[FittyFieFo]

I have the 40G model right now and will probably be moving that into the BR, so I'm looking at getting a new one for the LR, and am wondering which one is the best to go with.

Let me say up front that I have no PS2 games and don't care at all about backwards compatibility. The SACD feature is nice, but I already have a player so also not a big deal to me. What I do care about is anything related to Blu Ray playback, meadia server compatibility, and overall reliability.

I am aware of 5 different models:

20G original
60G original
80G I believe this was the second gen
40G this is what I have
120G This is the new slim model

So, what do you guys think?

If you don't care about backwards compatibility or SACD, then the cheapest and best blu ray of the PS3 is the 120 G (Slim). This system has better features and is known to be more quieter.

I also have the 40GB, which works awesome :).

EDIT: As you already know, playback is great on the PS3, media player server I'm guessing is the same, and overall reliability...doesn't the PS3 have a 1% failure rate, I'm sure it's changed, but it's not as high as the XBOX 360..which is at like..64%

[wutadumsn23]

Well, if you have seen any of my recent posts on the PS3, you know which one my favorite is, lol. Since you have no desire for backwards compability and not a very strong desire for SACD, then the 80GB is out. Which is good, because those are hard to come by. If you are thinking used market then you should be able to find a fair amount of 60's and the newer 80's (basically the same as the 60's), only problem is they are going to go for about what a brand new slim would cost you. I am not a huge fan of the Slim because of what they had to take out of it to make it as affordable as it is. It only has two USB ports in the front, and IIRC it doesn't have the flash memory readers either. All in all, I would say that the Slim is probably your best option, it is still a solid unit and well worth the $300.

-Jeff

[ballen823]

I'd go with the Slim. I've seen a growing number of issues with the older models failing. It has less USB ports (2), no card readers, and it's not piano black, but if you don't need any of those features, I'd definitely go with the Slim.

Plus, the pretty lights on your receiver will light up when bitstreaming.

[wutadumsn23]

Also, on a side note you can't install a secondary OS like Linux on the Slim.

[janmike]

Have the slim. Works for us.

[zombie boy 2000]

Well, if you have seen any of my recent posts on the PS3, you know which one my favorite is, lol. Since you have no desire for backwards compability and not a very strong desire for SACD, then the 80GB is out.
-Jeff

I believe it is the 60GB which is backwards compatible for PS2 titles and is more difficult to come by.

[wutadumsn23]

The 60's were the original "good PS3" then they came out with the 80GB version of that "good PS3". The first gen 80's are backwards compatible, 4 USB ports, etc. etc. Then shortly after that they took all the good stuff out and the second gen. 80's were born. I think the 60's also supported SACD, but I'm not positive.

-Jeff

[cnh]

I think? Zombie boy is right, that is the 60gig version...probably just a typo.

Also, I haven't read anything recent about growing problems on the PS3 80gig! They're a pretty solid unit, and probably an extremely reliable BDP as well...better than most.

cnh

[wutadumsn23]

No, it's the 80GB too, I have one, see my other post. However, he is correct that the 60's are are also capable of the good stuff I was saying about the 80's as well.

-Jeff

[zombie boy 2000]

Yup... I think we're all in agreement. I've also heard that the 80GB is far and away the most reliable unit.

[wutadumsn23]

LOL, yup. Took us awhile to get on the same page, but we got there. IMHO the First Gen. 80GB are the best/most reliable models. I have 3 PS3's (one is mine, and the other two were my sons) all bought within 6-8 months of each other and the only one that hasn't had any issues is my 80. My oldest sons 60 croaked and within a week, the other one died. Sent one in to get rehabed ($175) and the other one is still in my closet waiting for the cash so I can send it in to get fixed.

-Jeff

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

How canyou tell the first gen 80 from the second?

[zombie boy 2000]

I believe the 2nd gen has 4 USB ports, while the 3rd gen has two.

[Sami]

I'd go with the Slim. If you do however want the original 60GB version, let me know, I might be interested trading mine for a slim. It's already configured for dualbooting Linux so you CAN copy Blurays with it to external or network drive if you want to play your movies from a HTPC.

[wutadumsn23]

I believe the 2nd gen has 4 USB ports, while the 3rd gen has two.


That would be the easiest way, yes. The "good" 80 has 4 USB ports in the front.

-Jeff

[mutelight]

I have the OG 60GB PS3 with all the memory card readers, SACD playback, and (almost) full BC and it is a great console and I still use it all the time, the only problem is that is has become loud. In my bedroom I purchased a Slim just a couple weeks ago and it is very quiet and works beautifully as a BD player. I actually sold my stand alone BD player and replaced it with the Slim for the extra functionality. The Slim is an absolutely superb system and if you are not concerned with SACD playback or backwards compatibility then I can easily say, go for it by all means. Now, it has only been out a brief period of time so it is too soon for people to report back with any reliability issues, so I can only speak from personal experience but hopefully it gives you an idea.

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Thanks for all the help guys. I got caught up in wanting one of the older systems, but for what I need the Slim looks fine, so I'm gonna go that route.

Thanks for the offer on the swap Sami, but I'm gonna take your advice along with others here and just grab a Slim.

[dvran]

Sent one in to get rehabed ($175)
-Jeff

You mean refurbed? lol

[dvran]

Personally, I would go with one of the older models, or “pre-slim”. Yes, they are larger but they have a nice piano black finish and are built to last. You can get a nice bundle deal on older models now at places like Walmart, Bestbuy and Amazon. Simply because they want to get rid of them for the new “slim” model. Right now, for 299 you score the slim and that’s it. If you like the older models, you can get a PS3, extra controller and a game for less than 299.

If your not dying to get one right away, wait till Black Friday, lots of deals to be had that day.

[zombie boy 2000]

I have a second gen 40GB and it is dead quiet.

[wutadumsn23]

You mean refurbed? lol

LOL, yeah, but rehabed sounds better.