One of our members, halo14, commented on one of our articles where I stated that the PS3 was a "glorified PC" - it meets the specifications of a PC and Game Box, no?
I understand where halo14 is coming from, the PlayStatin 3 is a next-generation gaming console that has big plans to take over the industry and own it like its father console. Right?
A gaming console and a personal computer are merging very closely by todays standards. Look at the interfaces that are being used on new consoles: WiFi, USB connections, bluetooth, hard disks, flash readers, DVD/BluRay/HD-DVD readers, and high-definition output.
So, if someone was to say to you "I just got this piece of hardware that comes pre-installed with Linux, has a BluRay drive, WiFi and a number of USB 2.0 ports" would you think "PlayStation 3" or "Dell"?
The lines are blurry with todays standards. Why? Probably because PC components are cheap given the market is saturated with people and their personal computers. Manufacturers are shipping almost every system with a DVD writer now (or CDROM writer), higher end video cards, massive 550W power supplies, multiple processors and other components all for under $1,000. Why should console developers re-invent the wheel and design new specifications when USB is standardized and WiFi is more wide-spread?
To top this off, Sony claims the PlayStation 3 will ship pre-installed with Linux! Linux has never been known as a core gaming platform so why bother installing it at all? Just to prevent enthusiasts from hacking them and installing Linux? Well, now they'll just update it to RedHat, Fedora, SuSe, or something just to be different. Because that's how Linux junkies are! If they can install Linux on a watch they will do it.
So, really, is a PlayStation 3 that much off from a true PC? The Xbox 360 accepts USB keyboards (I've done this for Final Fantasy's MMO) and it worked great - very PC-like. Computer monitors have been "high definition" for years and consoles are now making their way into High Def (besides Nintendo of course).
So, is it really bashing to say that a PlayStation 3 might as well be considered a PC with lots of games? Maybe today it's a clear line for some but I'm guessing the 8th and 9th generation consoles will be more like a traditional PC than consoles being produced today.
The big differences seem to be the restriction of access to the core operating system. Wrap a front-end user interface and stop the user from doing stupid things and you have a game console. Very similar to how Microsoft Windows is designed (with more security flaws of course).
Thanks to Halo14 for making me think deeper about the "glorified PC" comment in my last PlayStation 3 update. As I probe deeper and look at the console specifications it reminds me more of a DELL/Alienware gamer PC than a traditional console. And with the massive network integration for Sony's online plan, it seems more and more like a "media center" box than a gamer console. I guess its really a matter of opinion.
Something to think about.... what do you guys and gals think?
I understand where halo14 is coming from, the PlayStatin 3 is a next-generation gaming console that has big plans to take over the industry and own it like its father console. Right?
A gaming console and a personal computer are merging very closely by todays standards. Look at the interfaces that are being used on new consoles: WiFi, USB connections, bluetooth, hard disks, flash readers, DVD/BluRay/HD-DVD readers, and high-definition output.
So, if someone was to say to you "I just got this piece of hardware that comes pre-installed with Linux, has a BluRay drive, WiFi and a number of USB 2.0 ports" would you think "PlayStation 3" or "Dell"?
The lines are blurry with todays standards. Why? Probably because PC components are cheap given the market is saturated with people and their personal computers. Manufacturers are shipping almost every system with a DVD writer now (or CDROM writer), higher end video cards, massive 550W power supplies, multiple processors and other components all for under $1,000. Why should console developers re-invent the wheel and design new specifications when USB is standardized and WiFi is more wide-spread?
To top this off, Sony claims the PlayStation 3 will ship pre-installed with Linux! Linux has never been known as a core gaming platform so why bother installing it at all? Just to prevent enthusiasts from hacking them and installing Linux? Well, now they'll just update it to RedHat, Fedora, SuSe, or something just to be different. Because that's how Linux junkies are! If they can install Linux on a watch they will do it.
So, really, is a PlayStation 3 that much off from a true PC? The Xbox 360 accepts USB keyboards (I've done this for Final Fantasy's MMO) and it worked great - very PC-like. Computer monitors have been "high definition" for years and consoles are now making their way into High Def (besides Nintendo of course).
So, is it really bashing to say that a PlayStation 3 might as well be considered a PC with lots of games? Maybe today it's a clear line for some but I'm guessing the 8th and 9th generation consoles will be more like a traditional PC than consoles being produced today.
The big differences seem to be the restriction of access to the core operating system. Wrap a front-end user interface and stop the user from doing stupid things and you have a game console. Very similar to how Microsoft Windows is designed (with more security flaws of course).
Thanks to Halo14 for making me think deeper about the "glorified PC" comment in my last PlayStation 3 update. As I probe deeper and look at the console specifications it reminds me more of a DELL/Alienware gamer PC than a traditional console. And with the massive network integration for Sony's online plan, it seems more and more like a "media center" box than a gamer console. I guess its really a matter of opinion.
Something to think about.... what do you guys and gals think?
