Pro and Con of owning a PS4?

[thehotsung8701A]

I'm looking to buy a PS4 after the showing of Uncharted 4 at E3 2015. It look amazing and I definitely think it a system seller. However I read that unlike the Xbox 360, the PS3 and PS4 install the game into the hard drive instead of just reading the optical drive which work more like a PC then a console, and so this is really disappointing. I would need at least 2 TB to even entertain this thought off owning a PS4.

So for PS4 owner, what are the pro and con of owning a PS4?

 

[sze5003]

Both systems install to the hd. Installs on ps4 are faster because it doesn't install everything, I think some of the stuff is cached. Xbox one for most games installs the game and sometimes downloads the rest of the updates from the internet while it installs so it takes longer.

For my xb1 a game like forza horizon 2 took about 15-20 min. On the ps4 a similar size game installs in about 5-10 sometimes. Mlb 15 took forever to install since it had a lot of textures, same with gta v. Just my experience though. You really don't need 2tb of space unless you keep every single game on the system. I have about 12 disc games installed and I still have about 400+ GB left with maybe 3-4 games downloaded from the psn too also installed.

Both systems use the disc to read and validate some things.

As for pros and cons, at this point it only depends what games you prefer. If you prefer games like mlb, uncharted, bloodborne, infamous, go ps4. If you like halo, fable, forza, etc then xbox. I got the xbox 1 in the living room so I could stream media from my pc because at the time the ps4 could not do that.

Currently the ps4 got a media player so it can do the same thing now. For the xbox you need an external HD for extra space, for ps4, I replaced the internal hd with a 1tb drive.

It's really up to the type of games you prefer.

 

[Madia]

The PS4 does install the whole game onto the hard drive and the disc is mostly there as DRM. I swapped out the 500 GB hard drive for a 2TB but that's probably overkill. You can look for the new ones with 1TB which should be more than enough space and will be out well before Uncharted 4. Also, even if you did have to delete games to make more space I haven't experienced any games that take a long time to install from the disc so reinstalling shouldn't be any problem.

The main pro of the PS4 (assuming you don't own an Xbone or good gaming PC) is the ability to play next gen games. The second pro is the PS4 exclusives. I chose the PS4 over the Xbone for the exclusives and slightly better graphics. I chose it over the PC since I wasn't overly impressed by the graphics on a high end PC vs. the consoles and a PS4 and large screen Tv was better value for my money.

Although the PS4 does have slightly better graphics than the Xbone if you look on any thread that has "What console should I buy" the answer always comes down to the exclusives. Right now there's not a lot of exclusives on either console yet but looking at the PS3 and Xbox 360 library along with the upcoming games you'll get a sense of what exclusives to expect in the future.

So the main pro is the games. Also the dual shock 4 is a much better controller than the ds3 and the interface is also better than the PS4. You can also pause a game and put the console in rest mode and when you turn it back on you'll be right where you started.

The main con right now is there's not a ton of next gen games out yet and very few exclusives. There's a bunch of remasters (GTA V, Last of Us, Tomb Raider, etc.) and games released on all platforms (Dragon Age Inquisition, Shadow of Mordor, Assassin's Creed IV, etc.). There's some next gen only games (Dying Light, Assassin's Creed Unity, etc.) and a few console exclusives (Bloodborne, Infamous Second Son). Still, things look to pick up in Q4 and by 2016 there should be a good amount of next gen games.

The other con for me is the battery life - usually around 7 hours which makes buying a second controller mandatory. I would also prefer a 3rd USB port (I have the wireless headset which takes up one of the spots).

Overall I'm very satisfied with my PS4 and would highly recommend one. I would wait until the 1TB version comes out though.

 

[thehotsung8701A]

Both systems install to the hd. Installs on ps4 are faster because it doesn't install everything, I think some of the stuff is cached. Xbox one for most games installs the game and sometimes downloads the rest of the updates from the internet while it installs so it takes longer.

For my xb1 a game like forza horizon 2 took about 15-20 min. On the ps4 a similar size game installs in about 5-10 sometimes. Mlb 15 took forever to install since it had a lot of textures, same with gta v. Just my experience though. You really don't need 2tb of space unless you keep every single game on the system. I have about 12 disc games installed and I still have about 400+ GB left with maybe 3-4 games downloaded from the psn too also installed.

Both systems use the disc to read and validate some things.

As for pros and cons, at this point it only depends what games you prefer. If you prefer games like mlb, uncharted, bloodborne, infamous, go ps4. If you like halo, fable, forza, etc then xbox. I got the xbox 1 in the living room so I could stream media from my pc because at the time the ps4 could not do that.

Currently the ps4 got a media player so it can do the same thing now. For the xbox you need an external HD for extra space, for ps4, I replaced the internal hd with a 1tb drive.

It's really up to the type of games you prefer.

I only care about the multi-player online aspect of Halo, Gear, and Forza 6 as I can't stand any of those single player. On the other hand PS4 single player games and multiplayer games are pretty awesome. I don't think I will buy both console seeing that I am going to soon spend more money on building a new PC.

I don't like the fact that it now cost money for PS4 online.

Is there a reason why these console only let you install games instead of reading it off the disc so that it doesn't take away storage space like how the original ps2, xbox, gamecube, and 360 did it? Seem we are taking a step backward.

 

[sze5003]

I only care about the multi-player online aspect of Halo, Gear, and Forza 6 as I can't stand any of those single player. On the other hand PS4 single player games and multiplayer games are pretty awesome. I don't think I will buy both console seeing that I am going to soon spend more money on building a new PC.

I don't like the fact that it now cost money for PS4 online.

Is there a reason why these console only let you install games instead of reading it off the disc so that it doesn't take away storage space like how the original ps2, xbox, gamecube, and 360 did it? Seem we are taking a step backward.

Games are now much bigger. A mainstream game like gta v is about 40-50gb in total installed. Same with the PC, downloading a game from steam now takes up about 30+ GB. The new graphics, physics, audio, take up a lot of space.

As for paying for online, I've never had an issue in ps3 when it was free but the network needs to expand now with a lot of games becoming multiplayer only at times like Destiny, star wars battlefront. Many times around the holiday season you can get a one year membership for $40 instead of $60. They usually go on sale like this.

Sounds like you would enjoy the ps4 more. There will be a 1tb version coming out sometime soon so keep that in mind. A 1tb or 2tb hd that you can use to replace the original is not that much. I paid $70 for my 1tb hard drive and I still have the original somewhere in case I have to send the system in for repairs.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I only care about the multi-player online aspect of Halo, Gear, and Forza 6 as I can't stand any of those single player. On the other hand PS4 single player games and multiplayer games are pretty awesome. I don't think I will buy both console seeing that I am going to soon spend more money on building a new PC.

I don't like the fact that it now cost money for PS4 online.

Is there a reason why these console only let you install games instead of reading it off the disc so that it doesn't take away storage space like how the original ps2, xbox, gamecube, and 360 did it? Seem we are taking a step backward.

Games loading off the HDD are much faster than reading a disk. It's a big difference in read speeds. Plus you can have higher resolution assets in a lower compression format if you use the HDD because the Blu-Ray drive is too slow to stream them. Do you also complain that a PC doesn't just read from the disk and you need a HDD?

PSN+ is worth it. Every month they offer two games you can download for being a member. I have almost 40 games on PS4 that I didn't pay for because they were given as part of the PSN+ membership. It also helps keep their network going. They expanded the Playstation network before the launch of the PS4. That costs a lot of money and they had to recoup the costs of the upgrade and continual maintenance.

 

[Madia]

I only care about the multi-player online aspect of Halo, Gear, and Forza 6 as I can't stand any of those single player. On the other hand PS4 single player games and multiplayer games are pretty awesome. I don't think I will buy both console seeing that I am going to soon spend more money on building a new PC.

I don't like the fact that it now cost money for PS4 online.

Is there a reason why these console only let you install games instead of reading it off the disc so that it doesn't take away storage space like how the original ps2, xbox, gamecube, and 360 did it? Seem we are taking a step backward.

From what I've read the reason games are now installed on next gen systems is due to complaints from developers about having to wait to load in new levels of games. Having the entire game on the hard drive reduces the load times.

It does suck that it costs money to play online but you do get free monthly games with playstation plus and you can often find the year subscription on sale for $40.

 

[Tattoedsailor]

I'm getting ready to buy one of the systems.. Haven't made up my mind which one to go with yet. I'm leaning towards Xbox one mainly because of the controller and the price (love the shape of the Xbox controller). In terms of graphics I can barely tell the two apart especially when I'm sitting back in my recliner.

 

[Tweak155]

I wonder how much installing to the hard drive really improves the load times though? Wasn't there a game recently that was just terrible... like Bloodborne or Order 1886?

I pre-ordered FO4 on PC due to load times strictly (not a graphics / mod person myself)... but I'd much prefer it on my XB1 for convenience.

 

[thehotsung8701A]

Games loading off the HDD are much faster than reading a disk. It's a big difference in read speeds. Plus you can have higher resolution assets in a lower compression format if you use the HDD because the Blu-Ray drive is too slow to stream them. Do you also complain that a PC doesn't just read from the disk and you need a HDD?

PSN+ is worth it. Every month they offer two games you can download for being a member. I have almost 40 games on PS4 that I didn't pay for because they were given as part of the PSN+ membership. It also helps keep their network going. They expanded the Playstation network before the launch of the PS4. That costs a lot of money and they had to recoup the costs of the upgrade and continual maintenance.

Yes it something I been wondering about since forever. Back during the PC hayday and before DRM, Season Pass, Early Access, Kick-Starter, DLC, etc... it made no sense how the same game, you had to install on PC along with having the CD Key instead of inserting and reading it off the disc on console. The same exact game.

Also is it possible to install more than 2TB into a PS4? Like is there a limit on how much storage a PS4 can handle?

Is the game that you get for free with PS plus actual paid games or is it like Steam where there are hundred of free games?

 

[sze5003]

Yes it something I been wondering about since forever. Back during the PC hayday and before DRM, Season Pass, Early Access, Kick-Starter, DLC, etc... it made no sense how the same game, you had to install on PC along with having the CD Key instead of inserting and reading it off the disc on console. The same exact game.

Also is it possible to install more than 2TB into a PS4? Like is there a limit on how much storage a PS4 can handle?

Is the game that you get for free with PS plus actual paid games or is it like Steam where there are hundred of free games?

The free games are very good sometimes. For example child of light, transcoder , metal gear ground zeros, few other too.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Yes it something I been wondering about since forever. Back during the PC hayday and before DRM, Season Pass, Early Access, Kick-Starter, DLC, etc... it made no sense how the same game, you had to install on PC along with having the CD Key instead of inserting and reading it off the disc on console. The same exact game.

Also is it possible to install more than 2TB into a PS4? Like is there a limit on how much storage a PS4 can handle?

Is the game that you get for free with PS plus actual paid games or is it like Steam where there are hundred of free games?

The ps4 uses a laptop HDD so you need something that will fit there.

The games they offer for psn+ are games that are up for sale. Lots of indie titles though.

 

[gorcorps]

pro: you now own a PS4

con: you're now missing a PS4's worth of money in your bank account

My only regret is that I didn't upgrade the hard drive when I bought it. 500gigs turns out to not be much, and there's no way to back up game downloads. So I want to upgrade it but I also don't want to have to redownload and install all of my games and updates. Bah

 

[sze5003]

pro: you now own a PS4

con: you're now missing a PS4's worth of money in your bank account

My only regret is that I didn't upgrade the hard drive when I bought it. 500gigs turns out to not be much, and there's no way to back up game downloads. So I want to upgrade it but I also don't want to have to redownload and install all of my games and updates. Bah

I'm not sure about games you have not downloaded yet but purchased, but the last update was suppose to enable creating a backup of your hd so you can transfer to a new hd or just have a backup in general.

http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2015/03/guide_how_to_back_up_your_ps4_hdd_to_a_usb_drive

 

[Aikouka]

If you're worried about HDD space, the PS4's ability to upgrade the HDD is a nice aspect. Honestly, I just don't really want a HDD dangling off my console, and I especially don't want one if it has a separate power supply. However, that's the type you'd want as you'd probably want a 3.5" 7200 RPM drive vs. a 2.5" 5400 RPM drive, and the latter are what you find in the bus-powered external drives.

 

[sze5003]

If you're worried about HDD space, the PS4's ability to upgrade the HDD is a nice aspect. Honestly, I just don't really want a HDD dangling off my console, and I especially don't want one if it has a separate power supply. However, that's the type you'd want as you'd probably want a 3.5" 7200 RPM drive vs. a 2.5" 5400 RPM drive, and the latter are what you find in the bus-powered external drives.

I think you need a 2.5 for the ps4..or is it really a 3.5?

 

[gorcorps]

I'm not sure about games you have not downloaded yet but purchased, but the last update was suppose to enable creating a backup of your hd so you can transfer to a new hd or just have a backup in general.

http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2015/03/guide_how_to_back_up_your_ps4_hdd_to_a_usb_drive

Hmm, that's good to know. I must have missed that when I was looking at it last.

 

[JujuFish]

The main pro of the PS4 (assuming you don't own an Xbone or good gaming PC) is the ability to play next gen games. [...] The main con right now is there's not a ton of next gen games out yet and very few exclusives. [...] There's some next gen only games [...]. Still, things look to pick up in Q4 and by 2016 there should be a good amount of next gen games.

From what I've read the reason games are now installed on next gen systems is due to complaints from developers about having to wait to load in new levels of games.

The Xbox One and PS4 are current gen.

 

[mmntech]

I think you need a 2.5 for the ps4..or is it really a 3.5?

They're 5400rpm 2.5'' drives. Same as the PS3. Nyko does make an adapter for 3.5'' drives.
http://www.nyko.com/collections/playstation-4/products/playstation-4-data-bank

SSDs are the best course but even the cheapest 500GB ones still cost $200. If you buy a brand new PS4 plus an SSD, you're well within PC gaming territory.

 

[sze5003]

They're 5400rpm 2.5'' drives. Same as the PS3. Nyko does make an adapter for 3.5'' drives.
http://www.nyko.com/collections/playstation-4/products/playstation-4-data-bank

SSDs are the best course but even the cheapest 500GB ones still cost $200. If you buy a brand new PS4 plus an SSD, you're well within PC gaming territory.

Some have installed ssd drives in the ps4 and have said there doesn't seem to be much of a benefit over an sshd for example.

 

[gorcorps]

They're 5400rpm 2.5'' drives. Same as the PS3. Nyko does make an adapter for 3.5'' drives.
http://www.nyko.com/collections/playstation-4/products/playstation-4-data-bank

SSDs are the best course but even the cheapest 500GB ones still cost $200. If you buy a brand new PS4 plus an SSD, you're well within PC gaming territory.

From what I read getting an SSD isn't nearly as big of an improvement over just getting a decent 7200rpm drive. Cost to benefit ratio just isn't there

 

[Tweak155]

I think you need a 2.5 for the ps4..or is it really a 3.5?

I think he meant external that the 3.5" is preferable.

 

[Subyman]

Only con is that it doesn't have HBO Now yet!

 

[Lil Frier]

From what I read getting an SSD isn't nearly as big of an improvement over just getting a decent 7200rpm drive. Cost to benefit ratio just isn't there

I assume this is related to the consoles' SATA II interfaces, rather than going SATA III, right?

 

[mmntech]

Yeah, I take back what I said about SSDs. There's not much of a meaningful difference.

I assume this is related to the consoles' SATA II interfaces, rather than going SATA III, right?

I don't think it's that. SATA II should in theory allow SSDs to be up to 3x faster, especially with a lot of common ones today supporting 500MB/s sequential reads. I doubt they're using SATA 1.0 so maybe it's some kind of software limitation in the OS.