Sony PlayStation 3

Featuring an extensive upgrade from its predecessor, the PlayStation 2 (PS2), the PlayStation 3 (PS3) will see the introduction of pixel shaders, as well as an increase from 32MB of RAM to 256MB and an upgrade to a G5 CPU.

The system was designed to be backward compatible – the ability to play PlayStation or PS2 games – but due to some games manufacturers not complying with Sony’s Technical Requirement Checklist (TRC), the Australian release of PS3 will not be able to handle native PlayStation peripherals and a number of PS2 games.

The PS3, however, does support a range of media formats and file types from CD, DVD, SACD (Super Audio CD) to the new Blu-ray Disc technology. With a 20GB or 60GB hard drive, the PS3 provides a platform to adopt this high definition technology supported by more than 170 leading manufacturers and seven of the eight major film studios.

Enabling users to download music from CDs or direct from the internet, and arrange photos into slideshows, the PS3 supports Flash Memory and USB Mass Storage devices, such as Compact Flash, SD Card, and Memory Stick.