Buying a PS3 as a PC

[PowerFullMac]

I was going to post this on a PS3 forum but it would let me make a new thread after a registered and done a few posts so I gave up and thought there must be someone who can help me on MacRumors!

So, seeing as my iBook has suffered from a dead hard drive, and im using my old Windows computer now (aka: im living in hell) I want to get a replacement machine thats affordable but still good. And most of all it CANT RUN WINDOWS! Now, I realize I cant run OS X on the PS3, but I can run Linux, plus when I decide to go HD I know the PS3 will be able to handle it, plus its a games console and a media center, plus its a computer. It has a 3.2GHz CPU so it sounds decent, I realize there is a lack of RAM but im used to it (384MB and 900MHz on my iBook) so I dont really mind. I also used Linux before (Ubuntu) so im used to it and I like it. The best part? Its only £300!

But I want to ask the PS3 wielding people of these forums, is that practical? Will it work well? What is your experience with it?

Also, can I use it with a non-HD computer monitor?

Thanks in advance!

 

[twoodcc]

what about a mac mini?

anyways, i think you'll have to have a monitor with a DVI connection.

 

[0098386]

Bad idea. The PS3 was built for games, not Linux. It runs very badly.
The ram is split in half; 256mb for system, 256mb for video. The CPU isn't optimised so you can scrap all them cores. It isn't a 3.2ghz as you'd expect, say a 3.2ghz C2D to be. It's much slower than that.

You're also limited by video connections. It doesn't have DVI or VGA output. But it does have HDMI, if your monitor has a port for that.

 

[twoodcc]

Bad idea. The PS3 was built for games, not Linux. It runs very badly.
The ram is split in half; 256mb for system, 256mb for video. The CPU isn't optimised so you can scrap all them cores. It isn't a 3.2ghz as you'd expect, say a 3.2ghz C2D to be. It's much slower than that.

You're also limited by video connections. It doesn't have DVI or VGA output. But it does have HDMI, if your monitor has a port for that.

isn't there cables with DVI on one end, and HDMI on the other?

 

[adroit]

If you really want the PS3 just buy the PS3, but just install linux in your old computer and use that as your main computer.

Like, raggedjimmi said, the PS3 won't preform well as a computer. It is not designed for regular computer usage.

 

[maestro55]

Why spend the £300 on a PS3 when you could just get a new Hard Drive for your iBook and be back on a system you enjoy using without having to worry about how well your new £300 PS3 will run an OS?

 

[PowerFullMac]

Why spend the £300 on a PS3 when you could just get a new Hard Drive for your iBook and be back on a system you enjoy using without having to worry about how well your new £300 PS3 will run an OS?

Because I have been meaning to get a new computer anyway.

Thanks for your help everyone I will just settle for a Mac Mini.

 

[pseudobrit]

Because I have been meaning to get a new computer anyway.

Thanks for your help everyone I will just settle for a Mac Mini.

I put YDL on my PS3 (100GB HD). It sucked balls. Good call.

 

[twoodcc]

Because I have been meaning to get a new computer anyway.

Thanks for your help everyone I will just settle for a Mac Mini.

yeah a mini would probably be best for you.

I put YDL on my PS3 (100GB HD). It sucked balls. Good call.

lol

 

[PowerFullMac]

One more question though, which is the best (and by best I mean cheapest but not crap) monitor to use for the Mini?

Also, can I install Ubuntu and Vista (I know I said I didnt want it to run Windows is my first post but I need it to run some programs) with boot camp?

Technically that was 2 questions but whatever...