PS3: what do I need the media card reader for?

The USB Ports Are Used For Connecting External Deivces Such As Hard Drives, Cameras And Printers. They Are Also Used To Charge The Controllers. The Memory Card Readers Allows you To View Photos, Listen To Music Or Watch Videos Which Are On A Memory stick Or Flash Drive.

You won't miss them.

The 40GB comes with two USB sockets, and USB is extensible - just plug in a USB hub and hey presto, as many USB sockets as you want, if two aren't enough.

One of the USB devices you could choose to plug in is - yes you guessed it - a media card reader! But if you want to transfer pictures off your camera it's just as easy to plug the camera in.

You'll also use USB for plugging in an external drive or USB key, which is the best way of moving media between your PS3 and PC, and don't forget that the USB ports are also the way you charge your PS3 controllers.

Basically, if you don't care about Backwards Compatibility and don't immediately need a huge hard disc, the 40GB is a good buy. You can always upgrade the hard disc later.

You will in the future,.. Media slots are for cameras, and video cameras so you can have your ps 3 play the video or for photos do slideshows on the big screen. It's alot easier then burning them to a disc then playing them in your ps3.

Your son can put his games saves on a media card and take it to a friends house etc... THe ps3 backward capability is import as well since you may get an hd tv in the future and the ps3 upscales ps2 games hd quality.

Usb is used for recharging controllers, hooking up keyboards for surfing the net to answer your email, usbs are also used for printers and a mouse.

It's a full service Entertainment computer center in one machine.

It's a good long term investment so think long term.

yo go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS3 or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS3#Differences it show a comparasion all the ps3. anywayz i think i has 2 less USB port than the 80 gb cuz the 60 was discontunied