PS3 is a computer - Kutaragi

PS3 News | Upgrades and built-to-order systems on the way?

In a claim we're sure we've heard before somewhere, Sony Computer Entertainment head Ken Kutaragi has described the PlayStation 3 as "clearly a computer," before suggesting that hardware upgrades could be made available for the PS3, and that built-to-order systems were also on the cards.

Speaking to Japanese site PC Watch, Kutaragi was adamant that Sony's latest platform was not a games console. "Speaking about the PS3, we never said we will release a game console," he said. "It's radically different from the previous PlayStation. It is clearly a computer. Indeed, with a game console, you need to take out any unnecessary elements inside the console in order to decrease its cost. This will of course apply to the PS3 as well."

Kutaragi also touched on the customisable nature of the machine, assuring would-be PS3 owners that Sony will "put up no restrictions. Because it is a computer, it can interact with anything, freely. If someone is familiar with PC building, he or she can easily upgrade PS3's HDD." And it's not just because it has a HDD that Kutaragi considers the PS3 to be a little different from your common or garden games console. "Everything has been planned and designed so it will become a computer," he insisted. "The previous PlayStation had a memory slot as its unique interface. In contrast, the PS3 features PC standard interfaces. Because they are standard, they are open."

The Big Cheese of SCEI was even confident that the PS3 could achieve what no other console has previously managed, by keeping up-to-date with the specs of the latest PCs: "In the PC world, specifications rarely last more than two years. You need to update them. I believe the PC is always evolving. I think that the time may come that the 60GB HDD would become too small or the RAM to low. Such issues are numerous."

The PlayStation 3 games console/computer/multimedia hub launches globally this November. By which time we may all just be a little clearer on what the hell it is.

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32 Comments

Infested Jibbs

5 years ago

HOOOOO

Upgrades and built to order systems?

MMMMM-Smell that??

That's the rank odour of incompatabilities and fixes and patches stinking out the joint.

Because it is a computer, it can interact with anything, freely. If someone is familiar with PC building, he or she can easily upgrade PS3's HDD."

And that's all there is to pc modding and upgrading?Swapping out the hdd?.......lol........cmon

Xamerkapsy

5 years ago

Clearly an attempt to avoid taxes in certain regions by classing it as a PC.

ZNMS

5 years ago

Systems that are built to order? Chances are, these systems will be more expensive than the two base models.

dc0079

5 years ago

customisable console didn't work in history... good luck with that PS3.

Jellyfish

5 years ago

All I can see is: To play game x you require x. Kind of like the expandable RAM for N64.

Spanca

5 years ago

Did they not see all the problems Microsoft had with people doing this crap to the Xbox? I mean Microsoft are the "PC people" of the games industry, and they went to great lengths to stop it with the 360 by even making the bloody case hard to take apart! What are Sony thinking??

Qbert

5 years ago

I got into console gaming in the first place becuase I liked the simplicity of it when compared to PC gaming. Like many others, I just want a games console.

David

5 years ago

Don't take anything Ken '4D' 'Jack into the Matrix with the PS2' Kurtagi says seriously. He's not in charge anymore, doesn't seem to speak for Sony, and is clearly a loon.

He's always good for an amusing news article though!

~DESTROY~

5 years ago

PS3 is a Computer? My Dog is a Cat? Damn industry fooled me again.

So what is a PS3???? A PC or Media Centre??

*How do they expect they are going to sell it as a Media centre? MS have the rights to Media Player, So I cant see the PS3 ever interacting with your home PC in anyway. Gonna have to store ALL your media on that 60gb drive. I cant see that being an easy task.

So if all fails for PS3, Who does the finger get pointed at?

themak

5 years ago

So was the PS2, a computer is less taxable than a video games console.

camds

5 years ago

PS3 is a computer, eh? Wonder if I can claim that on my tax

Andronicus

5 years ago

Qbert wrote

I got into console gaming in the first place becuase I liked the simplicity of it when compared to PC gaming. Like many others, I just want a games console.

Exactly!

A console that plays games - that is all I want in a video game system - no bells, no whsitles - just a console that does its thing, a controller that does its thing, and a bunch of games that I want to play.

I am the consumer - don't confuse me, or I'll walk away - it's simple.

DarkYoshii

5 years ago

Well aye, in the end The Customer is Always Right. No real need for extra nicknacks to confuse the user.

Although I guess it paves the way for a more creative approach. We'll see what they do, I guess.

rodvcpetrie

5 years ago

I like the difference between a PC and a games console and would rather they stay more on the console end rather than the PC end.

I don't know what to think about the PS3. Its becoming more and more apparent that I'll be sitting out on sony's third console unless I'm shown otherwise. That would include having the price drop dramatically.

LeonJ

5 years ago

Really who wants to upgrade their console. Bloody stupid and Sony are going strength to strength with insanity. Personally, I hate PC gaming because it's like car shopping, soon as you buy a new 'component' it is worth nothing. I gave up on PC gaming a while ago because it does not make $$$ sesne. Console gaming is about having a nice happy machine, which pumps out near top end PC (near fanboys, I know how sexy 60fps at 1900x1200 is) graphics they are great without having to invest $$$ in upgrading. Shame on you Sony, shame.

Sounds like they are going the way of the PSP, and going all out and making it open ended and ending up with a pile of crap with people are selling in masses on ebay.

My dream, PS3 to be a killer console with killer graphics that is truely next gen. In reality, it's looking all a half baked console that doesn't know if it is a console or a Blue Ray DVD layer or Toaster with a wannabe online component.

Prove me wrong Sony, prove me wrong.

KickyFunkFresh

5 years ago

If its not a console, then why name it the same as your consoles?

Do Sony even know what they're doing anymore?

Matt Bassos

5 years ago

"You will work hard for your PS3 restaurant meal." When you are jacked into the matrix playing 4D, 120fps games on our PC, you will be glad you did."

KLoNe

5 years ago

Sony have no idea anymore.

themak

5 years ago

--alex-- wrote

So was the PS2, a computer is less taxable than a video games console.

Quoted so people can get a clue.

Calling the PS3, and indeed the PS2 means less tax to pay for EU import.

Frozencry

5 years ago

Beepos wrote

"You will work hard for your PS3 restaurant meal." When you are jacked into the matrix playing 4D, 120fps games on our PC, you will be glad you did."

Notice that he's cross-eyed.

Infested Jibbs

5 years ago

Notice the conan hairstyle.

admeister

5 years ago

I absolutely agree, Qbert. Here I was worried about Microsoft and the 360 destroying console gaming, and now this! Now is the time to panic!!
*takes a tablet of Nintendo goodness* Phew, I any case, not a good move for Sony at all, they're making even more of a mess out of the already nasty situation. The consumers have the final choice, and if they keep going like this, I may be put off the PS3 altogether.. Meh, the main reason I would buy one is for FFXIII anyway.

realitybites

5 years ago

If Sony lose market share this next gen they have only themselves to blame.

Price is wrong.

No compelling games at launch.

Techology (blu-ray) not even standardised.

Two models one not upgradeable to HDMI with blu ray playback.

Back flip on controller.

Back flip on dual HDMI.

Back flip and counter back flip on rumours no 2nd hand games will play on PS3 consoles.

Software compatibility now is out its going to have a PS2 chip for backwards compatibility. The hardware isn't even finalised.

No rumble feature. DUMBASS!!!!

Blatant rip off of motion sensor technology from a rival.

Now this ****.

It seems to me Sony can't get themselves out of teh PS2 market because it is its cash cow.

At least Nintendo and MS know what they want for goodness sakes.

admeister

5 years ago

I guess that's true, still Microsoft fired a bit of a blank with their "backwards compatability". In my opinion, the 360 was released too soon, a bit of a rushed job. They will come to regret it in later years, I think. PS3 had a very good chance to beat it easily, but it's been somewhat squandered. It's had a lot more development, and is meant to be more powerful, with a more advance storage media, but they keep making blunders.

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