The PS3 80GB was a sensational release back in 2007. The third version of the famous Sony PlayStation console gained much anticipation in the gaming world before it was released for sale. The release was a success even though the console was introduced after its main competitors: Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Nintendo’s Wii. Gamers were so eager to get their hands on this fantastic console and be the first people to give it a try, and compare it with its predecessors and competitors. Japan was the first country to have the privilege to enjoy the PlayStation 3, in late 2006. At the time there were only two versions: the standard PS3 20GB and premium PS3 60GB. The PS3 80GB was released later, in 2007.

As most of you already know, PS3 stands for PlayStation 3. The GB part of the name stands for the capacity of the hard drive. The PS3 80GB is part of a series of consoles that includes the PS3 20GB, PS3 40GB, PS3 60GB, and PS3 160GB. These consoles are the only consoles on the market that have Blu-Ray technology, which really makes them great value for money. They all have the components that make the graphics look so good on a high definition television. This console is considered by many as the very best console in the world when it comes to graphics. The PS3 80GB comes with Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) technology. The 20GB and 60GB models don’t. This allows PS3 80GB owners to use their console to watch live streaming internet television.

The PS3 80GB is built with a powerful Cell microprocessor. The PlayStation is the only commercial device using that processor, which unifies the power of conventional desktop processors and more advanced graphics processors. This processor actually has a wide range of technological applications including military and medical applications. All PS3 models use 256MB of XDR DRAM as main memory and an additional 256 MB of GDDR3 for video memory.

The PS3 80GB allows you to play and install applications from BD-ROM, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM. Again, this is the only console that allows you to watch Blu-Ray movies. The PS3 also features Bluetooth technology and IEEE 802.11 WiFi technology. The PS3 80GB has a maximum resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels and comes with a wireless gamepad that can be charged through the USB port of the unit. The console has several connectors including 4xUSB, 1xNetwork, 1xHDMI output, 1xPlayStation3 AV output, and 1xSPDIF output (TOSLINK). The PS3 80GB also has slots for memory sticks, including SD Memory Card and CompactFlash Card.

Even though the launch of the PlayStation 3 was a real success, Sony had to face cristicism after a few glitches were found with the very first versions of the console. Since then, Sony has continually improved their product. The PS3 80GB is actually the conclusion of major improvements, along with the PS3 160GB. Among these major improvements, there is the DualShock 3 controller. This new controller was released after a few users experienced problems with the previous versions (lack of rumble).

The PS3 80GB is great for multiplayer gaming. With the Bluetooth technology, you can have as many as seven controllers connected to the system. We are talking of wireless connectivity here! Another great advantage is that you can fill your PS3 80GB with movies and watch them all without having to plug anything else. The 80GB hard drive might not be enough but all PS3 hard drives are replaceable with 2.5″ size hard drives.

It is true that the PlayStation 3 once faced a certain lack of games. However, this is no longer a problem. There are plenty of games that you can enjoy including popular titles such as Grand Theft Auto IV, Rock Band, Call of Duty 4, BioShock… but also a few exclusive games such as Metal Gear, Uncharted, Resistance 2, Killzone 2… and many more to come!

Sony has recently released slimmer versions of the PlayStation 3 (PS3 Slim series). The PS3 120GB is one of them, and according to Sony, not only this console is much slimmer than other versions but is also quieter. Sony has redesigned the PlayStation 3 to distinguish the new versions from the previous ones. The boot screen has also been updated, with for example the removal of the game start splash screens. If you own an old model but want to give it a modern touch you should consider skins.

There is always room for improvement, but Sony has truly reached a very high level of technical development, and there are even more improvements on the way… Sony continually improves the PlayStation 3 to keep up with the demands of gamers. Even though the slimmer versions of the PlayStation 3 are now the bestselling models, the PS3 80GB is still going strong because slightly less expensive and offering a very similar gaming experience.