the original fatboys in 20gb and 60gb only - you could sideload an OS and there was a specific linux distro i think. I want to say it was originally pumped up because it allowed the cell cpu architecture to run folding@home
pretty sure literally the first revision (the 40gb? was there also a 100gb model too?) removed the feature to install OS because they immediately realised it would allow piracy and homebrew lol (with me thinking that homebrew development was the entire point but idk)
Yellow dog Linux and anyone could run Folding (no Linux required).
The reason was likely a tax dodge to get the device taxed as a computer and not toy similar to why the PS2 also had this functionality for that same tax dodge.
Secondary reason was probably the US military PS3 supercomputer back in the day.
I think there is a holy grail MGS4 PS3 special edition that retained hardware backwards compatibility (all models after went to software) and was 80gb of storage if I’m remembering correctly.
Secondary reason was probably the US military PS3 supercomputer back in the day.
In my headcanon they did that because of the ”Saddam is buying PS2s to turn into a supercomputer” thing.
