Sony's PS3 will be the most powerful of all the next-gen systems without a doubt, however you will only be able to have this powerful gaming system at a price. To use all the gadgets and reach the PS3 to it's full potential will be a very expensive task:PS3 ($400-$500?), PSP ($250), PS3 Hard drive and/or memory sticks ($50-$150?), online router ($50-$70?), online gaming headsets ($20-$50?), etc. Plus, if you don't have an High Defenition TV than you should probably go out and buy that also ($600-$6,000). The Playstation 3 is shaping up to be a pretty expensive system. If Sony plans on keeping these potentially high prices for the launch in Spring, there probably won't be anybody able to afford it.
Here's a clipping from a Computer & Video Game article about the use of the PSP with the PS3:
Broadly speaking, the present invention fills these needs by providing a system, a method, and a portable game device.The method of the system and portable game devices enables execution of a video game at a base computing device and wirelessly communicates processed data to a portable game device.
So what we'd picture is an online-enabled PS3 providing a channel to the net, plus the raw grunt and processing power which it wirelessly communicates to the PSP where you'll play or enjoy the actual content. Fascinating stuff. So it looks like Sony envisages the PS3 and PSP working almost as one unit, to bring you the latest in games, movies, music and audio.
Both the PSP handheld and PS3 game console will incorporate an 802.11 wireless standard in their designs according to multiple sources. There is no doubt that Sony will be putting it's nex-gen hardware eggs in the highspeed wireless internet hotspot basket. We've seen the handheld hook-up to a system before with the GBA and Gamecube. For some reason, I don't think that Nintendo utilized this feature as much as they could and I'm looking foward to seeing what else Sony will do with this.
If you're planning on getting the PS3 at the launch in Spring, I would suggest that you start saving up your lemonade stand money now.
