PS3 + U3 = mac mini beater?

The Running Man · 14 Oct 2007 at 11:52

hi guys, i have been thinking about the PS3 as a word processor, browsing machine. effectively a replacement box for all those thinking of a mac mini etc for their rooms.

well, ive thought if you gte a 2-4GB USB drive with U3 software and Launchpad on it; http://www.everythingusb.com/u3.html and a ISB Keyboard/Mouse, effecttively you could have a wifi enabled basic word processor with msn, firefox all the nicetis of windows in a removable transferable format?

what do you reck?

fail at the internets · 14 Oct 2007 at 11:59

Kubuntu on ps3 is still rather slow, but yes it would do what your wanting it to.

Margaret · 14 Oct 2007 at 12:09

Why don't you just build a mini PC for £250 odd quid? Heck probably cheaper, the rig I saw for that price had a decent graphics card.

It's easily doable and will run Linux (or Windows) better than the PS3 could due to the low ram.

Just noticed I've talked about these 'mini PC's' twice now within 5 minutes.

barnettgs · 14 Oct 2007 at 12:19

Try OpenSuse: http://en.opensuse.org/Playstation

I have played with various Linux (countless of hours!) including Slackware, Kubuntu, Ubuntu on my old 1Ghz PC and I found Suse easily the most stable Linux OS - mouse cursor doesn't freeze during the bootup unlike the others and very smooth operation. Great GUI interface too.

Though I don't own PS3, I would give it a try.

Inoshishi · 14 Oct 2007 at 13:04

Linux on the PS3 works, but as mentioned its slow, this is due to the PS3 only allowing Linux to use a small amount of the available CPU\Mem.

If you want to watch movies (in particular HD Movies) on Linux on a PS3 then don't bother, if you just want it for a bit of web browsing\word processing then it will do that fine.

rp2000 · 14 Oct 2007 at 14:04

Nickg said:
hi guys, i have been thinking about the PS3 as a word processor, browsing machine. effectively a replacement box for all those thinking of a mac mini etc for their rooms.

well, ive thought if you gte a 2-4GB USB drive with U3 software and Launchpad on it; http://www.everythingusb.com/u3.html and a ISB Keyboard/Mouse, effecttively you could have a wifi enabled basic word processor with msn, firefox all the nicetis of windows in a removable transferable format?

what do you reck?

Erm.. I bought 2 of these U3 USB sticks last week (Sandisk 4gb & 8gb versions). The U3 just offers you a nice menu, in essence it is just a load of portable apps on a stick with a GUI.

Also it only works on Windows I believe (I can't check as within 24 hours I removed the U3 rubbish from both sticks). I assume you we suggesting installing Linux on your PS3 and then plugging in the U3 stick?

I have a mac mini as well. I think PS3 linux has a long way to go (from what I read) before it would be even close to a mac mini in terms of functions.

rp200