PS3 sizes up 360

We've got a PS3 - and here it is rubbing shoulders with Xbox 360 for the first time ever!

Created by Sony as an accurately proportioned replica, the PS3 model may be made entirely from wood, but it takes more than a cursory glance to realise that it's not the genuine article and gave us a good impression of what the Sony powerhouse will look like nestling next to our TV.

The unit is certainly big, although not drastically bigger than an Xbox 360. Positioned vertically side-by-side, the PS3 stands about an inch taller than its rival, while laying the two down horizontally shows that - at its highest point - PS3's convex curve makes PS3 about an inch fatter.

It's not the most beautiful looking beast, either. The underside is "stacked" with a couple of different sized layers and the overhanging midriff gives the unit a slightly awkward, uncomfortable look. But, hey, PS2 was never going to win any beauty contests either.

So, it's no stunner, but that's never been an issue with consoles in the past. Hopefully, when PS3 finally arrives in November we'll be so blown away with killer games that we won't be concerned with the machines curves, lines and overall aesthetic merit.

August 11, 2006