Was there a good model I should have brought? in Off Topic

ID:38377
 
Jan 21 2008, 4:13 am
Seriously, this is what I'd expect from the bottom end model.
40GB HDD is the best feature on it. Apart from that it's got no backwards compatibility, at all. Not just poor backwards compatibility, you get a message saying 'this console is not compatible with PS2 format games' when you try to play them.
It uses leftover PS1/2 AV cables instead of coming packaged with any sort of HD cables. The charger cable for the controller is clearly something they've taken off a USB HDD designed to be used on a desktop PC. It's about 30cm long so you can't use it while playing.
It doesn't even come with an ethernet cable*. The controller feels like it's a cheap knock-off of the PS2 Dual Shock 2 controllers. At first I thought that was just the missing rumble components effecting the weight, but then I got out a PS2 controller and compared them directly. The SIXAXIS just feels worse in my hands.


I can understand being desperate to cut costs back on these things, but damn, I spent around $80 on cables. It would only have cost them a few dollars per unit to include them.

Overall I actually feel bad that I've given money to the people who are responsible for this thing.


On the plus side, Ratchet and Clank is a pretty good game. =P


*Although this is a good thing, it made me dig up my XBOX 360 box and realize that the one packaged in with my XBOX 360 is freaking huge.
#1 Jan 21 2008, 5:38 am
They stopped selling the "good" version of console in order to save money. They stripped a lot of features away and what not from the original launch model.

I also don't believe any of the models ever included any of the HD cables. I remember there being some upset people over that.
#2 Jan 21 2008, 12:38 pm
I thought the 60GB model came with composite, and the 80GB as well. I could be wrong.

As for the control weight: I like the light control. It has a great battery life (around 24 hours idle but on, about 10 hours of gaming), the light weight means my arms don't get tired, and despite it's weight, it can take a beating.

Mine came with a cat5 cable, and I'm fairly sure my friend's 40GB did, but I could be wrong. Point is, however, you should be using WiFi, cat5 is so 2006(unless you have a gigabit network).

And why would you play the PS3 with the control wired? As long as you remember to charge it(or have two and cycle like I do), the wireless works great. Also, it is a standard USB cable, so you can buy a longer one for pretty cheap, I'd call that a plus. You can also charge it on any computer, so if you don't want to leave your PS3 on, you don't have to.
#3 Jan 21 2008, 5:45 pm
The 80GB model has software based backwards compatibility. (Is it $450 now? Might be $500)

You can get a great HDMI cable for about $7...dunno why you spent $80 =|

But I agree the charger cable is too small.

DualShock 3 is to be released in the USA in the upcoming months, and I hear not only is it supporting rumble, but it's also sporting a improved design that feels a lot better in your hands.
#4 Jan 22 2008, 12:47 pm
Cheetoz wrote:
You can get a great HDMI cable for about $7...dunno why you spent $80 =|

There was more than just the HDMI cable to buy (although it was more expensive because I was buying it from a store that only stocked the cable because they sold PS3s). The other thing is that we're talking AUD.

DualShock 3 is to be released in the USA in the upcoming months, and I hear not only is it supporting rumble, but it's also sporting a improved design that feels a lot better in your hands.

If they put into place a 'send us your old controller we'll send you a new one' policy I'd be ok with it. I still wouldn't be happy but I'd be willing to live with it.
As it is, I'll just be buying something I should have got from the beginning.

Danial.Beta wrote:
As for the control weight: I like the light control.

I thought it was the weight to begin with, but then I picked up a Dual Shock 2 controller and there's more to it. I don't know if it's the slight differences in design (taller sticks, triggers) or if they've gone with a different type of plastic but there's definitely a difference I don't enjoy.

Point is, however, you should be using WiFi, cat5 is so 2006(unless you have a gigabit network).

No dice. If it can have a wired connection it gets a wired connection. WiFi is a pain in the butt.


The reason I like to be able to play with controller while it's on the charger is simple, I don't want to buy an extra controller yet and I don't want to interrupt my gaming session to charge.

Also, it is a standard USB cable, so you can buy a longer one for pretty cheap, I'd call that a plus.

I'd consider it a plus if the cable that came packaged with it was an acceptable length. I was fine with buying chargeable batteries for my Wii/360. It bugs me here because I've just brought one and I have to go out straight away and buy another.
Also there's the fact that they're not saving money by cutting back here. As far as production costs go there's no real difference between a 40cm cord and a 200cm cord.

You're 100% dead on about the USB charging though. That rocks. While the 360 charger cable can reach the XBOX 360 from anywhere I would ever want to play it, the PC is the better option when I'm on the sofa as it doesn't run across the floor.
It also opens up the wide world of USB accessories. If I needed to I could setup a USB charging station with enough ports to cover all my controllers, headsets, etc with standard USB equipment.