well from what i gather the PS3 is really the way to go.
from hardware compatibility (get the smallest HDD then upgrade it yourself) to the option to run Linux on it (i mean that is sweet, you have an OS on it, completely functional ect ect) to the fact that it won't die on you when you treat it right (keep it dustfree) the hardware is still far from being maxed out...
i mean if i had the cash i would def get me a 1080p beamer and a ps3. anything below that is just wasting money:)