Sony licenses 'official' PS3 external HDDs, doesn't fully comprehend concept of interoperability

Hey there, why so glum? You've overfilled your PS3's internal storage with mission-critical data and don't have anywhere else to stash your incoming Best of Miley Cyrus compilation? Fear not, Sony's got you covered with a pair of officially licensed external HDDs built by Buffalo. They look remarkably similar to standard issue USB portable drives -- so much so in fact that one of them is a rebadged unit that Buffalo already retails in the US -- but let's not nitpick here. The two drives on offer come with a generous 500GB of storage and their prices aren't too bad with the rebadge setting you back around $130 while the more stylish HD-AV500U2 above will cost around $168. You could of course ignore Sony, buy any drive you like and jack it into your PS3; it's just that these aren't too terrible as far as unnecessarily licensed peripherals go. Both drives will be hitting Japan in March to coincide with the Torne DVR adapter release.

[HektikLyfe Posted Feb 4th 2010 12:02PM]

I'm looking to upgrade my 60GB model. It's full of demo's and things I don't want to get rid of.

I know this may be slightly unrelated but I'm searching for a NEW/UPDATED article about compatible hard drive upgrades for the PS3. All of the ones I've found online are grossly outdated. Anyone know which ones I can use. I heard not all work especially well.

Suggestions?

[barCODE Posted Feb 4th 2010 11:52PM]

@HektikLyfe

Your ps3 comes with a back up and restore utility. Sony designed the PS3's internal hard drive to be user upgradeable. I suggest back up your existing 60gb drive, then you buy a 7200 rpm 2.5" laptop drive, replace the 60gb, then restore the data to your new Internal drive.

[HektikLyfe Posted Feb 18th 2010 1:43PM]

@barCODE Yes thank you. What I was looking for though was a compatibility list. I remember some larger SATA drives weren't being read by the PS3. I didn't want to buy/open a hard drive only to not have it work and be stuck with a hard drive I can't use.