For several reasons, I'm going to purchase a PS3 imminently.  My question is which sku should I choose.  I'd like to spend under $500 on the console, so I'm limited to two choices: PS3 40GB or PS3 60GB refurbished.  Here are the pros/cons of each version as I see it:
 
PS3 40GB
+ cheaper ($400)
+ comes with Spider Man 3 Blu-Ray (meh...)
+ cooler: 65nm Cell processor  
 
- doesn't play PS2 games
 
PS3 60GB
+ plays PS2 games
+ more HD capacity
 
- refurbished
- 30-day warranty only
 
Any advice one way or the other is appreciated.
 
I tend to think the 40GB version is the way to go.  However, I really want PS2 compatibility as I never had one (I had Xbox and PC) and there are a gazillion PS2 games I missed out on like Katumari, God of War, Metal Gear xx, Shadow of Colossus etc.  

Hmm that's interesting, as I was getting ready to buy that 40GB PlayStation 3 bundle to review games here at Tom's. But if it doesn't play my old PS3 games according to SCEA...
 

 
...then that's obviously not the model to buy. A guy at Babbage's told me to purchase the refurbished systems, as they feature hardware backwards compatibility rather than the current software version (to make the new models cheaper so he said) that requires a WiFi connection.
 
I'm not a big fan of refurbished hardware, as I've had problems with buying junk, defective PSPs from EBGames. But it looks like you either should buy the $500 80GB Motorstorm package or get a refurbished model with compatibility hardware.
 
Don't get me wrong...I like cheap, but like I discovered when buying the XB360 holiday bundle and then finding out the WiFi adapter was another $100, sometimes cheap just isnt worth it.
 
I totally didn't help you out, but there's my 2 cents worth.  

---------------
Kevin Parrish
Contributing Editor / Official Chicken Clucker Tester
Tom's Games

That's actually helpful: reinforces that I should get the 60GB or 80GB.

Well I never play ps2 games so it wasnt a big deal for me since it would still let me play the ps1 games that you can download like twisted metal 2. I would go with the 40gb for a few different reasons. 1.) it is new. 2.) it is a redesigned console with 65nm processors and since it doesnt have the ps2 built into it it uses less power and helps to run cooler.

If you want to play old ps2 games I would try and spring for the 80gb version. Since I dont that is why I didn't get the 80gb.

I actually just bought the 40gb and its heat output compared to my roommates 60gb is just night and day. The 60gb has burned my hand where as the 40gb I really have to feel around for the heat. Oh and if you need more hdd space you can upgrade it urself very easily without affecting your warrenty. I will probably put a 160gb in. Also, I just dont trust or like refurbished hardware. Just my reasons as to why I got one. Hope this helps.

Best,

3Ball

 
 
Dont think the 80gb ps3 plays ps2 games.

 
 
The PS3 80GB will play most (if not, almost all) PS2 games...it depends on the game.  My 80GB PS3 played almost every PS2 games I put in (approx: 16 games so far),  except Grand Tourismo4 is having problems reading the disk.  It's no big deal anyway,  unless the any PS2 game(s) can upscaling to 720p or 1080p which I haven't see yet.  Otherwise, I don't see any benefit playing on PS3 console with the HDTV.
 
As for the original post,  don't waste your money on refurbished console.  Here are my two options:
1) PS3 with 80GB + a free game + 5 free movies by mail..................................$499.00  
2) Buy a PS2 for games only and a PS3 40GB for game + movies......................$580.00
Good luck!
 

Just get the cheapest PS3.  I got the 80GB and once you start playing the PS3 games (Assassins Creed, COD4, PES 2008, Drake) I haven't touched any of my old PS2 games since.  It's not worth getting the support.  Save the money on games for the PS3.

Looks like the cheapest, safest way to go is to pick up the $400 Spider-Man 3 pack (40 GB) and ditch the backward compatibility. The newer models are cooler, plus you won't risk having to deal with faulty refurbished equipment. (shrugs)

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Kevin Parrish
Contributing Editor / Official Chicken Clucker Tester
Tom's Games

TUB, that image is a very good find...
 
My personal opinion, to perhaps be the devil's advocate here, would be to go for the 60GB refurb. I've apparently had better experiences with the stuff than other people here, and personally, I'd just favor it due to the fact that it has all the features. And since the PS3 has a pretty tiny library at the moment, without the ability to play PS2 games I think that it's liable to collect dust for a lot of the time.

wouldn't a newer, cooler console be better?

---------------
Kevin Parrish
Contributing Editor / Official Chicken Clucker Tester
Tom's Games

I would avoid the refeb one... only a 30 day warranty than if it breaks your down $400+ and left with now ps3.  
 
You can always play those ps2 games on your ps2 if you still have it.

Go with the 40GB model since they are eventually going to put the ps2 games on the PlayStationStore just like they are doing with ps1 games. Just wait and download them, get the cooler model, and get the good ps3 games that are out now ( COD4, DMC4, Warhawk, etc) and you will get your ps2 games at some point.

get the 60gb on ebay.  They still have some new ones, heck, they still have mint condition ones.  HARDWARE IS WORTH THE MONEY.

60 gig.  Definitely.  If I could remove my PS2 from the entertainment center that would be a definite improvement and certainly worth the small amount of money and effort to track it down.

Most of the people I've talked to say the games are too expensive anyways and they mostly use it to watch bluray movies.  So I guess I'd favor the 40gb one.  But then again, my kids already have a couple PS2s so they could still use those if they wanted to.

Get the 60 gig from a reliable seller. The backwards capability is worth it for you in my opinion since you missed out on some of the greatest games ever. The metal gear solid collection coming out comes to mind. Also, idk about others, but the 4 usb ports is very useful to me. (mic, keyboard, can charge more controllers, etc)

remember - PS2 slimline is pretty cheap (a little over $100 I think).
 
You could buy both the PS2 and the PS3 40 gig.

60gb ps3 is the only one as far as I know with hardware emulation for ps2 games i think the 80gb has some kind of software emu for that but the most compatability with ps2 games definitely comes from the 60gb which is why they are probably the most difficult ones to find now,