Sony PlayStation 3 MotorStorm Limited Edition 80 GB Piano Black Console (NTSC)

First, I must disclose that my experience is with the 60GB model and not the 80GB. I also think you should strongly consider purchasing the 60GB model if you are buying used. I say this because this model had all the hardware bells and whistles that were taken out of subsequent generations. For those who backwards compatibility is really important for, the 60GB model contains the Emotion Engine hardware of the PS2 thereby making it fully backwards compatible. The subsequent 80GB model used software emulation to play PS2 games, which as I understand it makes some PS2 games incompatible. It also has flash memory card readers and 4 USB ports. Models released after 2007 had the flash card readers removed, the USB ports were reduced from 4 to 2, and backwards compatibility was eliminated. So, if any of these things are important to you, a 60GB model is your best bet. If the size of the hard drive is of concern, it can be easily upgraded by the user with any 2.5 inch SATA hard drive. My 60GB model now has a 500GB hard drive in it, which is bigger than any stock PS3 HDD.
With the hardware alterations aside, the user experience is pretty much the same from model to model. I also own an Xbox 360 so I will make some comparisons to it for anyone on the fence with these systems. Sony has done a good job of evolving the operating system which originally had some glaring inadequacies when compared to the XBox OS. Xbox social features are still better developed in my opinion and offers a better online gaming experience. If online gaming is important to you, Sony's Playstation Network is good enough but Xbox Live is a bit more robust in my view.

The graphics are phenomenal no matter what you're using it for. With this generation of consoles taking advantage of High Definition TV technology, games can look photorealistic at times. The PS3 also supports DVD upscaling to help your DVDs look their best and of course, the PS3 doubles as a Blu Ray player as well, which also works flawlessly. If graphics are a big concern for you, neither system really bests the other. You can often find online comparisons of games released on both the 360 and PS3 only to find the writers straining to find the tiniest flaws in either version. On 99% of games, the difference in quality is so insignificant that you probably won't be able to tell the difference. The Blu Ray drive doesn't really give the PS3 an edge in graphics or anything else (besides the obvious advantage of Blu Ray playback). Yes, it allows to store far more data on a single disc, but since disc costs virtually nothing to produce 360 games can simply ship with two or more DVDs if necessary.
The PS3 also works quite well as a Media Center. It's easy to set it up to stream content from your computer or to load your photos, video, audio or other data on to the PS3 hard drive to view on your TV. Additionally, the Playstation store allows you to download game demos, full games, previews, and rent or buy movies with a few clicks on your controller.

Conclusion: While the PS3 used to be prohibitively expensive and lacked a strong game library when compared to the Xbox 360, the PS3 has done away with both of these problems and the consumer can expect to be quite satisfied with either purchase. IF you are really in to online gaming though, the Xbox 360 may be a better fit. Other than that, the systems are pretty evenly matched in my book and you can't go wrong either way.

PROS: Very pleased with the PS3. It upscales normal DVDs so they look better on your HDTV, it plays Blue-ray discs very well, and offers extra functions that 'normal' players don't have. You can game with it of course, and the graphics are phenomenal. You can also surf the web, browse content from YouTube, Facebook, and others. With built-in wireless and Bluetooth, you have the same connectivity options as a laptop or media center PC. If you run a free media server app on another PC on your home network, the PS3 becomes a 'Swiss army knife' of a media player, able to play audio, video, and view pictures. (and arrange them into albums) Of course you can connect a USB flash or hard drive (only FAT32 format I believe) and play content from there, or copy content to the PS3's hard drive if you wish.

CONS:

-There appears to be a firmware bug such that when you wake it from standby with the controller or power button, it shuts down and must be turned off and on. (at least mine does)
-Sony, being the money-grubbing control freaks that they are have released an update that makes it very difficult to install Linux as a second OS like you used to be able to do. Not a big deal for the average user, but I like to tinker, and what harm was it doing Sony to leave this? What was Sony getting from this feature other than even more acclaim for an excellent device? It would be a true media-center PC if they'd open up a little.
-The wireless (on my model anyway) doesn't support any better encryption than WEP.

My speculation: if Sony were to sell an "unlocked" version of this device for maybe a little more, I'd buy it. I know that Sony makes money on content and almost gives away the console, like printer manufacturers do by selling cheap printers and then making money on the ink, but if the PS3 were more open to tinkering, it would go from having a large fan base to a cult following.

I received my PS3 last year as a graduation gift for passing my GED, and it has not failed me yet.
I love that i am able to watch Blu-ray, and while the quality is slightly better when you use a blu-ray player i think it is satisfactory to just use my ps3. Playing dvds on it is also easy, i got the remote with my packaged set, and i find it much easier to skip the trailers when using the ps3 instead of a standard dvd player.
Gaming is fun, the controller is easy to handle, for me at least, and can be charged instead of using batteries so thats great. I dont really use PShome, i find it pointless and boring, but i do often browse through the playstation store. Some good finds in there if you are looking for a demo, or just buy a game right there, often times you can put it on your psp if you have one.
It IS a dust magnet though, so it would be good to keep a duster (I use a swiffer) on hand nearby to make sure it does not clog anything up. I also do the cleaning thing where it runs the fan super fast, once in a while to prevent any buildup inside that can lead to overheating etc. Its not in the manual,but you completely turn off the ps3, then while your are turning it back on (in the back) you keep your finger on the power button on the front, and keep holding it there it should beep, and start the fan very fast to help get rid of the dust inside. it takes maybe a minute or two, and i have never had trouble with it. I learned this trick from a game store manager, who repairs these machines often.

Overall, prefer ps3 to XBOX360, grew up with ps2 so i am used to it.i think it's easier to navigate, the xbox sometimes still confuses me, but many people prefer the 360 over this.

Likes; universal, region-free, useful, plays dvd/blu-ray, stunning graphics, menu is easy to navigate, good sound

Dislikes; Dust magnet, slow updates and installs(game), less variety for games

This Model of the PS3 is pure awesomeness. (Model CECHE01) What makes it so impressive is that it has an 80 GB HDD, & it still has all 4 USB ports as well as the Multi card reader built in.

But were not done yet, this Version is also a great buy because it can play your old collection of PS2 & PSX games. And whats really nice about the backwards compatibility is that it up-converts the game onto your HD TV (720p, 1080i, 1080p). Granted the Graphics are still pretty much the same, but the clarity is great now (I can play my old PSX games & they've never looked better).

Also this unit has the ability to have a 2nd operating system installed on it. Simply use the default OS & choose install another OS in your settings & follow the on screen instructions (It Partitions the HDD so that you can run & Install the 2nd OS with Ease). *A Note to this is that you will need to know a bit more about Computer function to fully enjoy this feature.

Now aside from the Newer Model PS3 having a larger HDD (120GB to 250GB) There is nothing else that is able to perform better. The New PS3 is unable to Play PS2 Games (& most PSX Games), Has only 2 USB ports, no Multi card reader, can't install 2nd OS, Etc...

& One last note, the newer Model PS3's have 2 main issues that are still being worked on by Sony. 1st. Overheating - The new units are prone to overheating & shutting down (Especuly when playing a Graphically intense Game), and getting the dreaded "Yellow Light Of Doom" (AKA: YLOD). Once you receive this Yellow light you have no choice but to send your PS3 back to Sony for repairs, or a replacement. 2nd. Freezing - The new units are prone to freezing mid game, or even in a game movie scene. Again Sony is still working on the issues & I hope they are solved. (*It should be said that the New model PS3's will very rarely freeze while playing a Blue-Ray)

But for now I will Enjoy my Superior Model PS3 (CECHE01)

The only PS3 (besides the 20GB) that has backwards compatibility with PS2 and PS1 games without the hiccups, dropoffs and freezing that you get on some of the 80GB PS3 systems. The 80GB uses software for emulation which makes is glitchy and unreliable with some PS2 games. Even if they bring back PS2 emulation to all PS3 systems including the new slim models, it will not compare and will be hit and miss with PS2 software. The 60GB has the PS2 emotion engine (EE) that makes it 100 percent compatible with all PS2 and PS1 games. So if you have a lot of PS2 software that you love and cannot seem to part with this is the system for you. I played some Socom 2 and was suprised to see people are still online, probably those who are holding out on buying a PS3 since they dont have emulation right now. You also get the card readers which is always a plus since you dont have to buy it if you have a slim. You can use the USB ports on the slim but even that has been cut down to two instead of four on the 60GB, which is another plus. The difference between 60GB and 20GB is the wireless capability, which for some people is a must unless you have a house that is wired for CAT 5 cabling (newer houses have this as an option which is very convenient when it comes to hooking up to a wired house). So if your in the market for a used PS3 why not get the best one before they slimmed it and cut it down to what it was envisioned to be.

PS
The unit is a power hog and runs hot which is why you see a lot of them suffering from YLOD and being sold on Ebay. If you are going to get a 60GB system make sure you get the Nyko Temperature Sensing cooling fan to exhaust hot air in the back and the CTA dual centrifugal cooling fan to force cool air in the front. This should almost eliminate the YLOD that plagues this system. Both cooling fans are hard to find so Good Luck on you purchase. Why do you think Sony made the slim, because they know its a common occurence on the older units and its also a marketing strategy (newer, slimmer eco friendly PS3) that is working wonders for them. So pick the right system for you.