PlayStation 3 320GB System

by Sony

• New slimmer, lighter PS3 system, Wireless controller
• 320GB HDD for storing games, music, videos, and photos
• Streams thousands of movies and TV shows instantly from Netflix
• Built-in Blu-ray player with 3D capabilities. HDMI output for 1080p resolution.
• Free PlayStation Network membership

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B003VUO6LU
• Product Dimensions: 16 x 6 x 18 inches ; 9.5 pounds
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: October 28, 2010
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (196 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #816 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #6 in Video Games > PlayStation 3 > Consoles
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com

The fourth generation of hardware released for the PlayStation 3 entertainment platform, the PlayStation 3 320GB system is the next stage in the evolution of Sony's console gaming powerhouse. Loaded with a mix of multimedia features and functions available on earlier PlayStation 3 models, as well as a series of new advancements and refinements, the PlayStation 3 320GB system is destined to push the envelope in the realm of Next-Generation entertainment. What's Under the Hood As with previous models, the PlayStation 3 320GB system features an IBM "Cell" processor and a co-developed NVIDIA graphics processor that together allow the system to perform two trillion calculations per second. Yet the 320GB system manages to improve on this with its 45nm version of the processor, which although running at the same 60+nm speed as previous PS3 versions, uses less energy. This makes the unit's smaller size and quieter fan possible. Along with the traditional AV and composite connections, the 320GB system also boasts an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port, which delivers uncompressed, unconverted digital picture and sound to compatible high-definition TVs and projectors (the system is capable of 128-bit pixel precision and 1080p resolution for a full HD experience). This console also provides for an extreme sound experience by supporting Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, as well as Linear PCM 7.1. Finally, it features cross connectivity with your PC network and PlayStation Portable (PSP) and its pre-installed, 320GB hard disc drive allows you to save games as well as download content from the internet. Unlike other models of the PlayStation 3, The 320GB system does not offer backwards compatibility. The same functionality now in a smaller, more quiet and energy efficient package View larger. Space saving when placed upright... View larger. As well as when horizontal View larger. A textured, no fingerprint finish View larger. Blu-ray, PlayStation Network Downloads and Beyond PlayStation 3 utilizes Blu-ray disc media format, which gives you the best high-definition viewing experience on your television, by way of the format's ability to hold six times as much data as traditional DVDs. This tremendous capacity, combined with the awesome power of the system's processor and graphics card, promises an endless stream of mind-blowing games, and other multimedia content. However, this does not mean that the PS3 is limited to Blu-ray discs - it also supports CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R formats. In addition, PlayStation 3 system software includes BD Live support that allows you to play discs that support Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.0 (BD-LIVE). This means that you can also connect to the internet while playing discs that support this format to obtain additional features. Of course, PS3 owners also receive free access to the PlayStation Network (PSN), where through the PlayStation Store and PlayStation Home, they can download games, game demos, movies, and other content, as well as chat with friends, play mini-games, compete in tournaments and explore dedicated game spaces. Sensational Controller The Dualshock 3 wireless controller included with the PlayStation 3 320GB system provides the most intuitive gameplay experience, with pressure sensors in each action button and the inclusion of the highly sensitive Sixaxis motion sensing technology. Each hit, crash and explosion is more realistic when the user feels the rumble right in the palm of their hand. It can even detect natural movements for real-time and high-precision interactive play, acting as a natural extension of the user’s body. Dualshock 3 utilizes Bluetooth technology for wireless gameplay and the controller’s detachable USB cable to seamlessly and automatically charge the controller when connected to the PlayStation 3. By integrating all of these features into the popular PlayStation controller design, the Dualshock 3 further enhances the advanced gameplay experience that can only be found on the PlayStation 3 system. Synch with Your Other Sony HDMI Devices The PlayStation 3 320GB system features HDMI + Bravia Synch functionality. Bravia Synch allows connectivity between Sony HDMI products, without having to utilize multiple remote controls. This means that with the push of a button, users can control compliant Sony devices connected to your PS3 via HDMI cable. What's in The Box: New slimmer and lighter PS3 system with a 320 GB HDD, Internet-ready built-in Wi-Fi, 2 USB ports and HDMI + Bravia Synch output for 1080p resolution and connectivity between other Sony HDMI products. Dualshock 3 wireless controller. AC power cord, AV cable and USB cable. Free PlayStation Network membership. System Specifications: CPU Cell Broadband Engine (Cell/B.E.) GPU RSX Sound LPCM 7.1ch, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTs, DTS-HD, AAC Memory 256MB XDR Main RAM, 256MB GDDR3 VRAM HDD 2.5" Serial ATA 320GB Networking Ethernet X1 (10BASE-T,100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T) IEEE 802.11 b/g Included Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR) Included Controller Dualshock 3 wireless controller included AV Output Resolution 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i (for PAL 576p, 576i) HDMI OUT + Bravia Synch 1 AV MULTI OUT 1 DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL) 1 BD/DVD/CD Drive (Read Only) Maximum Read Speed BD 2x (BD-ROM) DVD 8x (DVD-ROM) CD 24x (CD-ROM) USB Ports 2 Backwards Compatibility No Dimensions 13.385"(w) x 13.385"(h) x 6.299"(d) Weight Approx. 7.05 lb.

Product Description

The PS3 system is now slimmer and lighter than ever before. While the form factor may have changed, the PS3 system still comes with free access to the PlayStation Network, built-in Wi-Fi, and hard disk drive storage for games, music, videos, and photos. Plus, the PS3 system is the only gaming console with a Blu-ray player to give you the best high-definition viewing experience on your television. With five times the capacity of standard DVDs, Blu-ray discs gives you more realistic and immersive gameplay that can only be possible on the PS3 system with games such as Gran Turismo 5, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Game of the Year, and MAG. All PlayStation 3 systems are already equipped with everything you need to play stereoscopic 3D games.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

341 of 350 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars PS3 Slim, large disk, no Move November 8, 2010

By A. Dent #1 HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Amazon Verified Purchase

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

UPDATE: Aug. 16, 2011

Only wanted to note that the PS3 keeps adding value to itself. Granted, the competition are not sitting on their hands either. The latest system update added Hulu Plus, MLB.TV and Vudu HD Movies to Netflix as 'video' services and Qriocity for 'music'.

As for its versatility, I recently paired a Bluetooth keyboard that Logitech claims it's for iPad only with our PS3. It took about 10 seconds.

And, yes, I am probably going to get the next generation when it's released but, until then I am very happy with our 2 PS3s. One of which is the original 60GB console, still as good as new.

____________________________________________

PS3 VS. OTHERS :)

Ever since the launch of Slim, the PS3 has been undertaking a quiet revolution or... could it be the console's midlife rebound? :) Here's what happened recently - and I will only note the more important developments going 12 months back (writing this in Oct., 2010):

- NetFLIX streaming, now disc-less, 1080p, 5.1 surround sound
- Much larger disk (this one is triple the size of the original Slim)
- Move
- 3D gaming
- Blu-ray 3D

This is a lot of new 'stuff' for a 4 year old console. I am not going to go into bean-counting mode and compare the PS3 improvements with what we see at the other guys but, clearly there is a lot of life in the PS3 and, with the 320GB models, the PS3 continues to maintain the largest disk advantage over the competition, is the only Blu-ray console and, when you consider the services and the array of Sony-made and third party peripherals built around it, the PS3 is a well built, well rounded entertainment hub....

THE 320GB MODEL

Over the past year or so, Sony added to the original 120GB 'Slim' model, itself a greatly optimized and streamlined PS3, several submodels sporting larger disks: 160GB, 250GB and, with the Move launch, the 360GB version. You can view this model as the original Slim with a three times larger disk or, if you want to take a more recent point of reference, the PS3 Move bundle without the Move.

DECIDING WHICH MODEL TO BUY

I happen to own the PlayStation 3 320GB System with PlayStation Move Bundle model myself in addition to an upgraded 60GB 'classic' model - our current Blu-ray/DVD player and overall media center - and the Move bundle. We also owned the original 120GB Slim at one time and, before each purchase the main decision wasn't whether to buy a PS3 but rather which model was best suited to our needs.

At the time I'm writing this (November 2010) there are 4 basic models to choose from but, since the 250GB sells for the same price as the 320GB, it's safe not to discuss it so the 3 basic options are:

A - 160GB model: the original Slim with a slightly larger disk, lowest price, same as the original launch Slim
B - 320GB model: sells for $50 more than the 160GB, offers double the storage (this model)
C - 320GB Move bundle: for an extra $50 it adds the basic Move peripherals, plus a Move game, same large disk

Depending on what your needs are, one of the 3 should make more sense than the other.

OPTION A

If 'price' is an issue go for this one. The good thing about the PS3 is that it's possible to upgrade the initial disk to a larger one later. I'm not going to go into detailed accounting but, if you can reuse or maybe sell the original 160GB disk, upgrading this model to 500GB can be done at very little cost. Some basic technical skills will be needed.

This is the choice for anyone who absolutely NEEDS 500GB (rather than 320GB).

OPTION B

Those who can use the extra storage - intense gamers or anyone planning to keep thousands of songs and photos on their PS3, are okay with 320GB and therefore don't want to go through the disk upgrade process should go with THIS MODEL. $50 for double the disk capacity is a fair deal in my view.

This model makes a lot of sense if you don't care about the Move.

OPTION C

This is the model I picked because we wanted to have the Move option. It's the best way to enter the Move world at this time. The extra $50 will buy you:

* Move motion controller, of course
* PlayStation Eye camera (must have one for the Move to work)
* Sports Champions (Ping Pong is simply awesome, some of the games play much better with a second controller)
* A demo disc so you can see what Move can do for you (most of the demos can be downloaded from the PSN)

Given that the price difference over the 'plain vanilla' 320GB model is the price you pay for the Move controller, you basically get the PS3 Eye camera and the Sports Champions game for free - and you can sell the camera if you already have one and the shrink-wrapped game if you have no use for it.

In fairness and based on my own experience, you will almost certainly end up buying a second Move motion controller. You may also want a separate charger so keep these in mind when budgeting. But, regardless, this is still the best Move starter.

DOES DISK SIZE STILL MATTER?

Probably not as much as it used to. In my view, 320GB is probably enough storage to last till the PS4 comes around - and I'm one who did upgrade his original PS3 to 500GB.

You can store an enormous amount of photos, songs, demo games, home videos and game installations on 320GB. Two years ago I thought that 500GB were making a lot of sense because movies needed so much space but, since then, the pressure to having huge disks installed on a PS3 lessened a little due to the advent of technologies such as NAS (network attached storage) and Home Servers that allow you to have thousands of GB worth of 'media' stored safely off your PS3 and streamed in when needed. And, of course, Netflix streaming eliminates the need to save many thousands of movies if the somewhat lesser quality is not a big issue. Not everyone may agree but I have no plans to replace the 320GB disk with a larger one at this time.

WHAT ELSE YOU MAY WANT/NEED

Depending on how you are planning to use the PS3, this is what you don't get but may end up buying eventually:

- HDMI cable for HD output (a component cable should work too but you can get a decent HDMI for $3-5 or so)
- One or more extra USB wires same as above, don't pay more than $2-3 for one
- One more Move Controller if you buy the Move bundle (some games will either require two controllers or will play better with two)
- One or two Navigation Controllers (no big pressure because you can use the DualShock in your left hand but it feels weird)
- Dedicated charger, especially if you have more than one Move controller or you also have a Navigation controller
- PS3 TV remote controller to use when watching movies

MY RATING

I just love the PS3. I've been a PS3 owner ever since the 60GB classic became available and I've been impressed with the PS3's reliability, versatility and its sheer power - and I've owned both 'classic' and 'slim' models, upgraded most, gave away a couple. In the end it's a matter of personal taste but the PS3 is increasingly the most popular 'gaming' or 'entertainment' implement in our household. And we DO own an Xbox too.

I will not go through the long list of PS3's features. It would be an exaggeration to say that it does 'everything' but it does a lot and it's doing it increasingly well. Agreed, features and capabilities do not come for free and sometimes they don't even come cheap (see my list of possible add-ons above) but I can't say that I have the feeling of being constantly nickeled and dimed when I upgrade my PS3 or I buy a Sony-made or a third-party add-on. I have no choice at this time but to order the extra Move and Motion controller from Sony but the charger, the larger disks I used to upgrade my old classic, all of the cables, the headset and so on came or will come from third party vendors and even for the old SixAxis and the remote controller there were alternatives at the time I decided to buy the Sony-made ones. In addition, the 'basic' PS3 console can take you pretty far as it is and you can have a lot of fun without having to spend one extra penny.

To conclude, any of the 3 options get 5 stars because the PS3 continues to be being the most feature-rich, well-balanced console you can get these days

--
>> Brush your teeth, it's the law! << Read more ›

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Confessions of a reformed Xbot. January 4, 2012

By Akash VINE™ VOICE

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

I bought an Xbox 360 at launch in 2005 and haven't had much experience with a PS3 since. However it's gotten to the point where the PS3 1st party library could no longer be ignored and I caved. Coming from Xbox, I've been really impressed by some things and really disappointed by a few. Here's a simple list of things you might want to know if you're coming from Xbox-land:

Positives:
- Silky smooth graphics: The PS3 has a pure horsepower advantage over the Xbox 360 and when developers choose to take advantage of it (usually SCEA titles) it really shows. Uncharted, Killzone, Resistance all look really amazing and there's never a hint of any slowdown or hiccups, which is more than I can say for Xbox. When it comes to 3rd party titles, they're on par with one another but 1st party really shines on PS3.

- XMB is a revelation: Particularly as compared to the latest iteration of the Xbox dashboard (or as I like to call it, ad-palooza). The XMB is elegant, smooth and intuitive and the ads are very, very few and unobtrusive. When I play my PS3 I feel like I own it, when I play my Xbox I feel like Microsoft does and they're just letting me borrow it.

- Free online features: What makes me angriest is that I've dropped $250 bucks on the cost of Xbox Live over the past few years and having used both XBL and PSN, I really regret spending that money. How Microsoft convinced me that I need to pay THEM to watch Netflix and YouTube, I'll never understand. Break the chains.

- 1st party games: Sony really has done amazing things with it's 1st party studios over the course of this generation. Resistance, Killzone, Uncharted, Little Big Planet, Infamous, Heavy Rain, God of War, and the list goes on.... While Microsoft was doing interesting things the first few years of Xbox 360, it has since devolved into year after year of Gears or Halo.

- Media player: It's kind of ironic, but my PS3 is much better at interfacing with my Windows 7 PC than my Xbox is. Actually, it's not even the interfacing part, it's that the PS3 will play anything I throw at it, whereas the Xbox refuses to play even M4A audio files. Also, the entire PS3 media player interface is much more pleasant form selecting a file to the music visualizations, PS3 wins.

Negatives:

- Game installs and updates: Good god, on average it takes about 10-20 minutes of installs and updates before I can play a game on PS3. It really is ridiculous and there's no way around it. I can't understand why Sony thinks the update system they have in place is acceptable, it really isn't. Espcesially as compared to the quick, seamless updates on Xbox.

- PSN store: Ugly, unintuitive, and a mess. That's all I have to say. Granted, the latest version of the Xbox store isn't great but it's better than this mess.

- 802.11G: Even my iPod has 802.11N. Get with the times, Sony.

- Controller: This may be a matter of personal preference but after a few weeks of PS3 only gaming, going back to the 360 controller was an incredible feeling. The Xbox controller is so much bigger and more substantial and the buttons feel great. Now if we could only do something about that D-pad...

- Controller charging: A pain in the butt. The cord they give you is about 3 feet long and your PS3 MUST be on to charge the controllers. And if you have a Move controller, nav controller, and DS3 it's a mess.

Hope that helps as you make your decision. Love my PS3 so far! Read more ›

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great all-in-one system December 28, 2010

By A. Tan

Amazon Verified Purchase

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

A lot of people like to use the excuse of getting a Blu-ray player to justify their purchase of PlayStation3, it's a very good justification.
Like advertised, it does everything a modern entertainment center would. High Definition movies and gaming, online surfing capability, movie streaming from Netflix for the subscribers, and plays music pretty well as well. Now with the bumped-up hard-disk drive, you could store most of your games data, downloaded movies, or music files without having to worry for a few more years. Especially games that requires 4GB of space like Heavy Rain, my brother-in-law simply had to get a new 500GB Hard Disk Drive for $80 to replace his old 40GB system, that was just about 3 years ago. So with the 320GB, you probably won't need to worry about anything until they come out with PlayStation4.
I bought it for Christmas for our new apartment, and it came in much earlier than I thought. Amazon did an amazing job with the packaging as always, no complaints at all and yes I ALWAYS shop at Amazon before I shop elsewhere. I don't think I need to be recommending this to anyone since they probably already know that it would be a great buy. For those who don't download movies as much, the 160GB version would be a cheaper and more practical alternative.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars ps3: What's good, what could be better... January 18, 2012

By Tom

Amazon Verified Purchase

Fun: 4.0 out of 5 stars   

I recently bought a new TV and needed a new DVD/Blu-ray player to complement it. I chose the ps3 ($249 from Amazon with a $50 credit/rebate)for its ability to play both DVDs and Blu-Ray disks, as well as games. Works great, and I love being able to download ALL my music and photos onto the ps3 hard drive for playback on my TV. Although I'm not a gamer, thought I'd give it a try and bought Gran Turismo 5,Madden NFL 10, and NHL 10 used for $20 at local Game Stop store. Games have come a long way since Mario, and require MUCH practice to become proficient. Since ps3 came with only one controller, needed to buy a second one ($45 from Amazon). When downloading music to hard drive, titles and tracks did not show up. Could be my fault though, because I didn't take the time to read all of the pages and pages and pages of directions available on-line for the ps3 system. You can add titles to playlists and tracks manually via the controller, but if you are smart you will buy add on qwerty keyboard for your controller (another $20 from Amazon). Overall I'm am very pleased with the ps3 320GB system that I bought. Great movie and game clarity using HDMI cable, 3-D capable, on-line gaming and communications. I connect to Comcast with wireless router; set-up was fairly simple. It will take you awhile to get used to the controller and all of it's functions, but a remote is available (for another $20 from Amazon).