Older Firmware Options Makes This Worth the Effort!

Please keep in mind the ratings for ease of use and game selection relate to the fact I'm not using this online, or with newer games, as it will not work with them, having older firmware. I bought this particular used playstation because it had the original firmware 2.70 on it. If you don't play online, having older original firmware, pre-3.15 or 3.30 (I think, don't remember the specific update that removed the OtherOS option) means you can install a linux, mac osx, or even windows operating system on the playstation, and use it as a computer. Sony has made a contingency of using their Playstation Network, that you must update your firmware. In their updates, they have eliminated this option to install other operating systems. This console, with its older firmware represents innovation and respect for consumer choices and flexibility. Sony's new approach is most similar to their betamax fiasco - they try to dictate all terms in an autocratic function between them and us, the consumers. It's disrespectful, insulting, and design to bilge us of our money, their device become a money siphon, rather than entertainment system. Which is why I refuse to use the newer playstation firmware, and refuse to participate in their online gaming community. A device like this is for aficionados and open source fans, as well as hackers and inquisitive minds. It is not for the people who want to get the latest releases, and the bling-bling of the latest re-texturing of the unreal engine, the newest rendition of PvP online gaming complete with moderators and 12 year old cursing poorly, but fluently, and other trite garbage. If you want to use your playstation as a testing ground for homebrew or coding, or as a linux box, or for a media server without DRM and so forth, this is the right choice for you. Compared to the newer playstation slims, this thing is a beast. The four USB slots I think a better design than the 2 USB slots, but that's just nitpicking. Swapping hard drives remains easy, as is accessing the system restore mode, critical for when mistakes are made in modifying the system. The one I bought was potentially dead in the water. All I can say is, your mileage may vary, but unless the hardware was really abused, most PS3 problems are fixable without replacing hardware or soldering the board.Read full review