Video: PS3 hardware up-close and personal
by Blake Snow 
{ Nov 1st 2006 at 5:15PM }
In case you didn't know, the PS3 is shiny. Dang shiny. Really, really shiny. To prove it, gadget-loving sister site Engadget gets up close and personal with the PlayStation 3 at SCEA headquarters in Foster City, California. The video probes just about every nook and cranny a sane gamer needs to glimpse, touching and poking included. Hit the link for added descriptions and commentary, full video after the break.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
craig @ Nov 1st 2006 5:24PM
very nice
Ross @ Nov 1st 2006 5:24PM
If I didn't know that the first year of Sony products didn't completely suck (hardware and software wise), then I would be really intersted in waiting in line for one of these.
Unfortunately, every experience I have had with Sony has been bad. The first year or so of PS2s had serious problems, and there was really no software that interested me until a year or two later. Exact same thing with the PSP (mine came with some dead pixels and the back of system won't close all the way). And I am still not interested in many PSP games to this date.
I love my consoles, and I take complete care of them, so that's not an issue. I really believe it's part of Sony's faulty hardware after initial phases of launch.
But I have doubt that there will be some amazing games for it in the years to come, so I think I'll wait till the PSThree to see if I am still interested.
FuzzyPickles @ Nov 1st 2006 5:26PM
lol ps3 is hueg
Blake @ Nov 1st 2006 6:44PM
Coating a turd in a shiny coating don't make it stink less...
DWells55 @ Nov 1st 2006 5:30PM
Wow, that is shiny. Like, shiny shiny. Let's hope it doesn't fingerprint as easily as it loks like it will. Otherwise, it'll wind up looking like my Xbox 360's chrome faceplate, whihc I now use the controller to power on due to fingerprinting haha.
The touch sensitive buttons are really sleek, I like them a lot. However, the overall system design really leaves something to be desired for me. I'm holding off on the PS3 until I see a price drop and some games that really make it worth it. And hopefully someone comes out with a high quality 3rd party controller with the d-pad and analog stick switched, I could not stand the Dual Shock 2.
-D. Wells
Join me in boycotting EA's spyware and if you'd like, their games altogether: http://www.petitiononline.com/bf2142ad/petition.html
denney @ Nov 1st 2006 5:33PM
someone tell me what the 4 things on the front are ?
JUJUSTSHUTUP @ Nov 1st 2006 7:16PM
THIS THING IS BOSS
THE XBOX 360 LOOKS SO JUVENILE NEXT TO THIS.
Evan @ Nov 1st 2006 5:41PM
@5.
They are USB ports.
If they can put USB ports on the front, why can't they put PS2 controller ports there.
What really bugs me is, they have all those memory cards slots under the flap, but no PS2 memory card slot. I'm sure more gamers would use a PS2 memory card slot than the compact flash slot.
Ethan Thomas @ Nov 1st 2006 5:44PM
You know, my sole concern with the PS3 is: Does it fingerprint as easy as the PSP? I'm sort of a neat freak, and I had to get rid of my PSP because the thing smudged when I took it out of the box the first time. I know that people are attracted to shiny things, but there is a such thing as overkill (Perfect Dark Zero anyone?). Ah well. Eventually I'm sure I'll pick one up, but right now, the bank account and inevitable first-round bugs say no.
thirty3baboons @ Nov 1st 2006 5:44PM
Lovely.....stand it upright on the left side of a desk and get nothing but a face full of ventilation ports and rubber feet.....stylish. Maybe your friends can admire the securty screws eh?
joeskie @ Nov 1st 2006 5:52PM
The whole shiny feel looks awesome, and the touch sensitive buttons are a cool feature. But unfortunately the PS3's design leaves a lot to be desired. Stylish? I think not. Simply put it is big and ugly, and unfortunately I cannot get the 'George Foreman Grill' or 'Westinghouse fridge' descriptions out of my head. Hopefully Sony will have a smaller "PSThree" redesign in 3-4 years time when I decide to purchase one of these big mammas.
nea @ Nov 1st 2006 5:52PM
i just dont like the physical shape of the ps3, its hideious. especially that bit thats cut off for you to press butons and insert discs
Jonn @ Nov 1st 2006 5:57PM
Why doesn't anyone from a blog or website that does this kind of thing have a good TV voice?
It's also nice that it uses a standard power cable. Also, how long before someone figures out how to put WiiC games on the PS3 with the SD Card?
Chris Clark @ Nov 1st 2006 5:56PM
I like the design and all, but I find it frustrating how shiny it is. I would personally rather have it be a dull brushed metal design than a black shiny plastic. That thing is going to look nice for about 45 seconds as you pull it out of the box. After that, it's going to be scuffed with fingerprints, dust bunnies and the like.
Overall, the system is going to be great but I would have designed it to look better in a long-term sense. Oh, and I would do away with the Spiderman font too!
Optimus Prime @ Nov 1st 2006 5:57PM
"You know, my sole concern with the PS3 is: Does it fingerprint as easy as the PSP? I'm sort of a neat freak, and I had to get rid of my PSP because the thing smudged when I took it out of the box the first time. I know that people are attracted to shiny things, but there is a such thing as overkill (Perfect Dark Zero anyone?)"
The shininess is only a problem if you plan on fondling your PS3 incessantly; in that case you have other, perhaps more pertinent issues to deal with.
You could just hook it up and leave it alone; or just use some protection like latex gloves or something similar.
Goldrusher @ Nov 1st 2006 6:06PM
So...does it accept 110-230V or only 110V ?
prej @ Nov 1st 2006 6:03PM
I'm sorry. PS3 is just UGLY. "Very sleek, very stylish.." uhm, no thanks. All subjective...but still. The shape alone is ridiculous, and all that shine.. blah. pass.
KaneRobot @ Nov 1st 2006 6:00PM
Imagine it with about 3,000 fingerprints and smudges all over it, and you'll get an idea of what it'll look like in your home.
Splinter @ Nov 1st 2006 6:00PM
So how long till we can see someone attempt a scratch-out method on the PS3, similar to that of the black DS lite.
I'd lol.
Edge of Blade @ Nov 2nd 2006 10:27PM
You might need this product after a few weeks of showing it off to your friends. They will all want to key it.
http://www.asseenontv.com/prod-pages/gs27.htm
mykie @ Nov 1st 2006 6:04PM
Oh sure, it's nice and shiny, but the first time you grill a steak with it, you'll get grease splatters all over the damn thing.
ElementsUnknown @ Nov 1st 2006 6:10PM
Whatever happened to the white one? I would think that would help with the fingerprint problem! The white would look mighty fine next to my 360!
T-Bag @ Nov 1st 2006 6:07PM
Fuzzy Pickles - “lol ps3 is hueg”
I’m sorry, I didn’t know the mentally retarded were allowed internet access.
PaleGringo @ Nov 1st 2006 6:15PM
Has anybody seen any word of the allegedly removable and upgradable HDD for the PS3? I believe I saw something on the left side, when it's sitting horizontal.
ME @ Nov 3rd 2006 3:46PM
why doesnt anyone show the damn power supply is it a brick or isnt it?
SSpectre @ Nov 1st 2006 6:18PM
What is that on the bottom (31 seconds into the video)? Is that just part of the design or is that some sort of flap?
once!\\\ @ Nov 1st 2006 6:21PM
We are all entitled to our opinion. In my opinion Playstation 3 is huge, too shiny and ugly.
I'm looking forward to a 200$ price drop and a redesigned model. Playstation 3 will be around 10 years so why should I purchase one now?
Freddy @ Nov 1st 2006 6:26PM
Eww... I think it would look better in white.
sonofnone @ Nov 1st 2006 6:30PM
...And the original PS2 design was gorgeous? That thing was (and still is) about the fugliest thing the console world has ever laid eyes upon - I just about shudder every time I look at mine. I mean,k even the Virtual Boy was symmetrical. But when was the last time anyone bought a console solely for it's looks?
And what's with the complaints over it being shiny? You don't even have to touch the thing to turn it on and it's not like you're gonna be pawing the sucker all the time since it's not a hand held.
Honestly, you guys are the biggest buch of whiners...
sanchez @ Nov 1st 2006 6:38PM
"Imagine it with about 3,000 fingerprints and smudges all over it, and you'll get an idea of what it'll look like in your home."
Only if you regularly and repeatedly molest the device. Since it's not a hand held console, you may want to consider putting it down. Find a home for it, perhaps in your entertainment cabinet?
retrojunkie @ Nov 1st 2006 6:35PM
"I’m sorry, I didn’t know the mentally retarded were allowed internet access."
Sure they can, what do you think you call all of those people who are actually defending sony and buying the ps3 on launch?
"SMART"?
i don't think so
Pulse @ Nov 1st 2006 6:35PM
Ugly? If you call thatugly, I'd rather have the grill then the computer terminal lookalike.
I love the design, it couldn't be better, its not just another box, or a box with extra curves, or a box given the name box for that matter.
PPl never like change do they ...
Don't you like a shiny objects? That next to my tv will make me seem very rich indeed, well, not only for that reason, cos of the price as well, but still :P
I like cleaning, so my PS3 would look amazingly shiny. I'll see my face in it, if it gets scratched, oh well, to hell with it, ill make a rubber casing for it :)
Psaakyrn @ Nov 1st 2006 6:37PM
Actually, I've to agree with FuzzyPickles's statement..
When I saw that image I originally thought, when did the PS3 shrink in size. Then I noticed the table reflection is not part of the table.
Of cause, when you consider it, almost everything would look huge beside the Wii..
Scott E @ Nov 1st 2006 6:37PM
Looks good all shiny. What is every reviewer's obsession with that damn media flap??? and where are all the videos of startup, menus, functionality and gameplay??
Chris Clark @ Nov 1st 2006 6:39PM
Pale Gringo,
The removable hard drive will come out of a door or "flap" on the left side of the console as it's laying down horizontally. It's a standard hard drive that can be removed and replaced by any standard computer hard drive. It won't be proprietary like the 360.
Hope this helps.
Hinkmania @ Nov 1st 2006 6:42PM
Foster City is lucky, they get to do the FPQA on most of the better stuff. But the San Diego office did test God of War and killzone. But we were also stuck with such stinkers as Rise of the Kasai and the Baseball games. I think I still have the design docs from the PSP and the PS2 from when I used to work there.
Richard @ Nov 1st 2006 6:44PM
http://www.stfuajpg.com/
SHUT THE FUCK UP AND JUST PLAY GAMES
molester @ Nov 1st 2006 7:19PM
"Coating a turd in a shiny coating don't make it stink less..."
Actually, it probably would, but a lot. Depending on what the coating is made of. If it is plastic, then the crap would be sealed air tight, resulting in almost no smell.
harold urena @ Nov 1st 2006 8:40PM
heres something better than for those of you yet to see the ps3 up close and personnel and live in nyc just go to the toys r us in 42 since they already have demo systems up playing nba 07 and motorstom
T-Bag @ Nov 1st 2006 7:08PM
- retro junkie,
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to be an insightful customer. Choosing a console that boasts the most potential is the only logical choice.
PaleGringo @ Nov 1st 2006 7:15PM
Thanks for the clarification, Chris Clark. I figured that's what it was. Hooray for *EASILY-ACCESSIBLE* 2.5" HDD's I say.
One final thought for this thread:
In Japan, it can be considered "elegant"
But when Kutaragi says it, it comes out "arrogant."
Interesting thought, that...
joe smith @ Nov 1st 2006 7:28PM
37 -- BOSS?? What decade are we in again?
PSWii360 Fanbot @ Nov 1st 2006 7:36PM
Hideous. There is no striking element of design anywhere in this console. I just hope it can still play games.....
Could you imagine what the system would look like paired with the original "boomerang controller"?
No matter what language, japanese or not, that would look like shit...not "elegant"
Adam B.H. @ Nov 1st 2006 7:36PM
To chris clark,
The HDD is not standard it is a laptop HDD only Don't worry about it we all make mistakes.
Ethan Thomas @ Nov 1st 2006 7:51PM
- Optimus Prime, SDF
Nice. I bring up a general question, and you bring us all back to grade school with your response. Here's one for you, since you're such a genious: How do you plan to "levitate" it out of it's box? Using the force or what? I don't think that machine is going to look half as attractive when you have to put a post-it on the thing that says, "Do not touch!" so your friends won't smudge it up. I suppose I could use gloves..but are we performing surgery or playing a game system? All I'm saying is this system is going to look like crap if it gets thumbprints all over it. Case in point, it's been documented that the PS3 doesn't throw the disc far enough out to grab by the center hole when you press eject. So, you reach to grab your disc, inadvertently put your fingers on the system over the disc tray and wham, four prints right there. Now, you would probably never do that, since you're just way too used to having game systems that you can't frigging handle without gloves, but some of us aren't. If I want to pack it up and take it to a friends house, what then? Should I grab some gloves and treat the thing like nitro glycerine?
I could be wrong, I admit. But I would love to be able to fast forward a little bit and see the look on people's faces when they come to buy these things used at EB/Gamestop. Anyway, don't get so defensive next time Optimus. I was just airing a question ffs.
As a side note, I think anyone who can read my previous post and somehow have the words "fondling incessantly" brought to their mind has a few issues themselves. ;)
Me @ Nov 1st 2006 7:57PM
That is by far the best system ever made in every way imaginable !! 360 aint got shit !!!
RyanTV @ Nov 1st 2006 8:07PM
That thing looks like more of a fingerprint magnet than an iPod. And I just dont have room in my home theater area for a system of that size. Christ its HUGE.
cheese @ Nov 1st 2006 8:33PM
The 360 is like a kiddie Nokia phone, with it's plastic faceplates, while the PS3 is akin to the LG Chocolate.
iEnigma @ Nov 1st 2006 8:33PM
Say what you will, but I think Sony is going to attract a lot of wealthy people with this design. I imagine Sony's design team was thinking about the kind of person who buys a Rolls Royce -- a car loaded with chrome and useless features. (Coincidentally, only people that can afford expensive, gaudy cars will be able to afford a PS3).
Personally, I find the PS3 to be bloated and complicated. I wonder what the Japanese think? I would have imagined that the 360 would seem more appealing to them.
Of course, we must remember that what a console looks like has nothing to do with how good it is. But that's a different argument.
Martin @ Nov 1st 2006 8:50PM
ZOMG!!!! After months of bad news, I have something good to say about the P$3.... Sony actually sucked it up and added more than just memorystick support. They have a slot for not only compact flash, but SD (their main competitor!!!)
Now if Sony could play nice more often.