The Playstation 3 is the third video game console released by
Sony. Following hot on the heels of its previous generation machine, the Playstation 2(also the best-selling console of all time),
Sony hoped to duplicate success once again. The reality is that the PS3 has not lived up to expectations. When first released in 2006, the console was subject to a barrage of criticism over the price premium it commanded(over $500) and the lack of quality games at launch. Some even complained over the amount of heat the unit put out. In the two years since its introduction, the PS3 has sold nearly 17 million consoles worldwide, in contrast to its rival, the
Nintendo Wii which has sold over 40 million. Sales as of late have picked up due to price drops and a wider gaming selection.
In spite of its rough start, the PS3 is a powerful machine. The console’s CPU, dubbed the “Cell” microprocessor was developed by IBM,
Toshiba, and
Sony and possesses very advanced mathematical computing capabilities. The processor has been integrated into several supercomputer architectures and has even been taken advantage of by scientists eager to exploit its power through distributed computing software such as Folding@Home.
