Released in Japan on November 11, 2006, and follow by the rest of the regions, the PlayStation 3 is the successor to the PlayStation 2. Also known as PS3. It is part of 7th generation video game consoles.
While the hardware is powerful, its has a complex CPU architecture, making it very difficult for developers to develops games on PS3. This is one of the reasons why Sony choose X86-64 for its successor, the PlayStation 4.
The first few models of PS3s are expensive and Sony is selling consoles at loss in the first few years and did not makes profits until 2011 where later models were cheaper.
Features
- It is powered by a Power-Architecture-based multi-core CPU known as 'Cell' that is co-developed by Sony and IBM.
- Its graphics is powered by the RSX 'Reality Synthesizer' GPU (Based on Nvidia's G70 GPU) that is co-developed by Sony and Nvidia.
- it has 256 MB of system memory. However, there's cases where the console freezing up because of such small system memory.
- It has a Blu-Ray Disc (BD) drive that can also Blu-Ray Disc video playbacks.
- It supports internet connectivity. While it also has a web browser, it doesn't support plugins.
- It can connects Sony Entertainment Network (formerly PlayStation Network) online service to do online multiplayer, purchases game titles, downloadable contents as well as downloads game demos.
- During release the wireless controller known as 'Sixaxis', has motion-sensing function and wireless connection to the PS3, but it lacks vibration capability (Due to the lawsuit Sony have back in 2004). Sony would later replaces it with DualShock 3 controller in 2008, which includes the vibration capability in addition of Sixaxis's functions.
- It has Remote Play function, which uses PlayStation Portable and PlayStation Vita as controller and second screen device.
- Later models were cheaper and more energy efficient, but removes the PS2 game compatibility in order to reduce cost.
- While the controllers (Sixaxis and DualShock 3) supports is connected to the console via USB or Bluetooth, it can be only connected to the PC via USB.
