Let us not forget that PS3 does compute and that Cell is a pretty good looking beast. So, technically speaking PS3 is a "computer".

But what PS3 is not, although Sony exec disagrees, is as a credible PC contender. Point 1 being that linux has never truly taken over as a Windows replacement. Also, the PS3 looks too flimsy as an office desktop replacement and is certainly not mobile enough to be carried around.

I do however think that the PS3 would make a nice entry level linux server and as Cell's linux development platform. But they have to contend with millions of obsolete PC hardwares running free open-source linux.

If history were to taught us something it is that developers dislike change and love compatibility. Itanium didn't take off because people are comfortable with the original Intel Architecture and wants their legacy codes to just work. AMD64 fills that need in a huge way, prompting Intel to rethinks its strategy, bringing forward EM64T and the compatible XEON platform. Sony should learn a few thing from Intel's blunder.

Code shops are already busy porting PPC codes to support Mac's Intel platform natively, I sincerely doubt that they would welcome Sony dubious forray into general purpose computing.