Power to the player

The PS4’s hardware isn’t going to change any time soon. Like all console choices, we’re stuck with what we get. Luckily Sony’s packed in a impressively powerful hardware ecosystem that takes full advantage of unified memory to offload tasks from the CPU and GPU. Essentially this means that the system knows how to efficiently manage its 8GB of GDDR5 RAM memory, boosting performance without having to compromise on graphical fidelity.

The console is able to hit native resolutions of 1080p at 60 frames-per-second unlike the Xbox One, which is locked at 900p and forced to upscale to 1080p. In layman’s terms, the PlayStation 4 is a svelte rhombus-shaped powerhouse that’s capable of delivering low-latency high-performance gaming.

PS4 teardown

(Photo via: Electronic Design.com)

But the system also has its trade offs. Multimedia on the PS4 is quite lacking, and while Sony affirms DLNA playback (that is streaming video, pictures and music from network-connected devices onto the PS4) is coming, the feature is absent as of yet. New features are coming that will bridge this gap, but for now we have a genuine console based on gaming rather than the all-in-one capabilities of the Xbox One–or even the PS3, for that matter.

While the PS4 won’t hit those impressive benchmarks of a higher-tier PC, it is an affordable gaming solution for the price. It has a sleek form factor that comfortably sits in any shelf or location, and runs quietly to boot. There are some issues with the hardware itself–I myself have faced problems with its HDMI port, leading to the system resetting itself on a whim.

PS4 PlayStation 4

The time is right

Despite a few hiccups and missteps, Sony’s PS4 is a great pick as a next-gen console. The company isn’t up to par in terms with its execution of certain services, namely its online servers, and it does take on  more than it can handle, but it’s taking strides in the right direction.

The console is designed for gaming in mind, and brings truly immersive next-gen visuals to the gaming sphere. We have a huge offering of holiday greats that ensure the time is right for next-gen, and the smattering of unique features buffer the PS4 quite a bit.

With Share Play gamers can basically demo their friends’ games at any time in an unlimited capacity, provided they have PlayStation Plus. Sharing your favorite moments is easier than ever, letting gamers have a more socially-defined experience that engages them with online friends.

Be sure to check out our picks for the Top Five Games of the Holiday Season to see our favorites. A gaming system is only as good as its games, after all.