Sony PlayStation 3 40 GB - Expert Reviews

Review summary: Still the best value Blu-ray player on the market, the PlayStation has had a hard-drive upgrade to 80GB -- plenty of space to store downloaded games, demos and media. With rapidly improving online services and exclusive games line-up, the PS3 is better th

Pros: Swanky design; quiet operation; all games in high-definition; user-friendly interface; plays Blu-ray movies; built-in Wi-Fi; 80GB hard drive; online play is free; HDMI output with 1080p support; no external power supply

Cons: Games lineup is improving, but still lacks killer app; HDMI cable not included; some PS2 games not supported

Verdict: Sony's PlayStation 3 may be the most expensive next-gen console, and its library of exclusive games isn't very impressive, but its swanky design and bevy of features, including a Blu-ray drive, make it hard to resist

Review summary: The cut-down PS3 costs the same as the Xbox Elite, has lost of its key features and still has that cracking Blu-ray player

Pros: Cracking Blu-ray player. Built-in Wi-Fi. Games catalogue catching up with Xbox 360

Cons: Still more games on Xbox 360. Online arena not as good as Xbox Live

Verdict: And the PS3 does, finally, have some big titles to unleash. The fantastic Haze is its riposte to Halo 3, and includes a great four-player co-op mode. Elsewhere, Indiana Jones-fest Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, petrol-head favourite Gran Turismo 5, Wipeout H

Review summary: Expensive for a game console, but a great bargain for a console plus a Blu-ray Disc player, the PS3 is worth the wait.

Review summary: The next-gen Sony PlayStation 3 is a graphical powerhouse and Blu-ray movie player with an impressive array of extra features.

Pros:  Swanky design; all games in HD; PSP-like user-friendly interface; plays Blu-ray and upscales DVDs to 1080p; built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth; 80GB hard drive; wireless and optional force feedback controllers; backward-compatible with PS2 and PS1 titles;

Cons:  A USB port on the back would've been nice; glossy black finish is a fingerprint magnet; runs hot and noisy; power guzzler.

Verdict:  The 80GB Sony PlayStation 3 is still the most expensive next-gen game console, but its swanky design and bevy of features make it great value even at S$799.