Ok... I've worked for GameStop World HQ Warehouse... Get a USED 60gig but make sure it has the 4 USB ports on the front. The newer PS3's(including the newer 60gigs) only have 2 ports, don't have the backward compatability, and don't have the misc. memory card slots like the older 60 gigs. Only problem with the older 60 gigs... the backwards compatibility limits the life of your laser for your blu-ray player ability. I have an older 60 gig, got it the first year they came out and have yet to have any problems with mine. And the 4 USB ports come in real handy versus only 2. >.> And.. if you are wanting more memory.. well, it's only a laptop memory and you can buy a bigger one and swap it out. =P How easy is that to go from 60gigs to 120 or more without really messing anything up and you get all the extras they took out.

I am not sure about the 60gig versus the 80gig emulator thing, I'll ask my mate who was a refurbisher for the same warehouse I worked at. =) Maybe he can help you a bit more.

I hope what I had said helped you some.

Yes, I saw that the 60GB models also had more USB ports, and I get why they removed them to lower production cost, but do I need more of them? Is that how the controllers are plugged in, via USB? And you said that the 60 also has a limited lifespan for its blu-ray laser... do you know how long it lasts, or why?

Thank you so much, this helped a great deal! I worked at Game Stop as well, but at a store, so all I knew was that my coworkers told me that the 60GB is more backwards compatible.

I'll have to look up exactly WHY the backwards compatibility kills the lifespan of the blu-ray and get back t you on it. But the estimate on its lifespan was 3300 hours or something like that. =/ But we've not had an issue with ours and we've had it since the first year 60gigs were sold.And yes, the contollers are wireless but when the battery is dying you have to plug it in the USB to charge AND anything like RockBand2 and things like that use up your ports too.

Very helpful information to have, thanks! I was unsure how the controllers worked... I'm being spoiled by the wireless XBox controllers, and it's annoying how many models the PS3 has. Ack on the blu-ray lifespan! Knowing me, I'll be using this thing mostly to play movies, so I dunno what I'll do if it dies on me! :/

Anyhow, again, than you sooo much for the info!

Well, as I've said, we bought ours NEW the first year the 60gig models came out(2-3 years ago?) and have CONSTANTLY played movies/blu-rays/games(ps2 and ps3) on it and have yet to have a problem and the controllers ARE wireless, you just have to plug them in when the battery is getting low. =)

ok, well, i have a 60 gig ps3 and that is probably the best with the ps2 backward compatibility, that chip is basically a ps2 inside of a ps3...

the 80 gig can play "most" of the ps2 games, but some can't, check this link out to see what games can work with the 80 gig, http://www.us.playstation.com/Suppo.....mpatibleStatus

well, I say, go with the 60 gig model. If you need help finding one, let me know, and i can search around for ya.

I figured that it would read more PS2 discs better because of the engine it said it has to read them in the 60GB models. I can find a good amount on craigslist, I just have to sit and wait for the right one to come along, as people on eBay seem to know how much the 60GB models are worth. xD Thank you so much!

you're welcome