PS3 or Dell Computer w/Bluray

[slikfz6]

I'd like to get some opinions from everyone as to what system to buy. My two options are a PS3 160g or a Dell Slim with a Bluray drive. I mostly use my current vintage computer for picture viewing and music only, I got it plugged in to my LCD HDTV and my Home Theater. I'd look to upgrade to a system with similar use, but with a Bluray player and with capability for gaming. I know that the PS3 could play music as well as view pictures and also use as a web browser.

S who here owns a PS3?? I will be buying directly from DELL, we have a nice company discount from them. Thanks!!

 

[DaveOTZ]

It all depends on what you really want out of the entertainment unit...
The PS3 has a nice interface and gives you some great gaming options...
The bluray is gravy

The dell so long as it has an HDMI out and discrete video card will deliver great picture and let you stream via HULU and Itunes... I do suggest downloading Boxee great client...

Of course unless you have an HD set that is both 1080P capable and delivers a great picture the point is moot and your better off with a VUDU and good DVD player...

Or the XBOX 360 also can be modded to use boxee and has the HDMI out

 

[SovietRobot]

I have both a PS3 and an xbox 360, and all I really use my PS3 for is media(dvds, blurays, streaming videos from my media server)

Honestly if you plan on just watching movies in your living room, I would get it.

I'd never buy a dell though.

 

[nimzotech]

By working in I.T. for about 10 years now, I have the following advice for you. Whenever suggesting a system to anyone, the first thing I ask is:
What do you intend the system to do for you? Or what is the majority of your typical tasks on a computer?

Anyway, I would not substitute a gaming platform (PS3, XBOX 360, Wii) for a computer system. Yes those have Internet capabilities, storage mediums, and CPUs, but they were not fully designed to replace a computer. That is why they are gaming/entertainment systems.

On the other hand, if you want to get a device for pure entertainment, blue-ray watching, occasional web browsing go with the PS3.

That still leaves you without a computer; the PS3 operating system does not compare with the likes of Windows, OS X. While I have installed Linux on my PS3 it's simply not the same experience as running it on a computer.

Hope this helps. =)

 

[Fz6Sa]

One additional thing to consider is the fact that the PS3 makes allot of noise, - (At least it does in the European versions). The vent sounds like something off a bike or a cage, - and IMO that's NOT an option for movie watching.

 

[SovietRobot]

If you watch TV with no sound and no other ambient noise in the room, then yes you can hear the PS3. But if you watch TV with sound like a normal person you don't hear it.

My only problem with the PS3 is how much heat it produces. It puts out the same amount of heat as my gaming PC(750W psu, 2 graphics cards, high end cpu, multiple drives), and when I have both of them on in my bedroom, it is deadly hot.

I would take a PC over the PS3 anyday, especially since you can get a bluray burner for $200 for a computer, but the PS3 is definitely a good deal if you're looking for a media machine and a gaming machine.

 

[FZ6 Tas]

Who watches Blu-ray with the sound down? If you can hear the PS3 over the movie trying moving the Ps3 away from your ear. Never had a problem with sound on mine, and mine is a 80gb PAL version original. Agree with the heat thing though, had to move it so it had room to breath which solved that issue. They certainly are worth the money and I am sure we prob pay double what you do in the states.

 

[FZ6 Tas]

Sorry Mexico! My bad

 

[slikfz6]

Thanks for all of your replies!! Heres the deal, with our company discount I could get a 160g PS3 shipped for $455, the dell that I was looking at is roughly $1k, fully loaded memory and Bluray etc. Currently my computer is part of my Home Theater, I don't use it much for other things cause it's an outdated system, Windows ME. I don't have internet at home, I surf here at work or go to a local Cafe Internet in TJ. So what I need is Bluray, gaming, picture viewing and music playing (MP3). You guys think the PS3 is a good deal $$ ?

Also, the DELL has HDMI and Toslink outputs as well.

 

[jtarkany]

If you like to tinker, then why not gut your current computer and build a Home Theater PC (HTPC)?

How to: http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/step-1-materials-required/

The following System will do Games, Blu-Rays, DVD's, CD's with a good degree of quality. You can buy it a piece at a time, and you can always upgrade Graphics, Audio, Internet Capabilities, etc... as time and money permit.

- Motherboard ($85): ASUS M3N78-VM, comes with nVidia 8200 Graphics card onboard, HDMI Out, 1080p, 8-channel HD Audio over HDMI.

- CPU ($65): AMD Athlon Dual-Core 5000+

- CPU Cooling Fan ($20)

- RAM ($70): 4 GB DDR2

- Hardrive ($100): Seagate 1TB

- Blu-Ray Drive ($80): Sony Blu-Ray, CD, DVD Read Write

- Operating System ($250): Windows Vista Home Premium

Total Cost: $670