Sony's fourth PlayStation console is fast, sleek and powerful. Its new DualShock gamepad is the best Sony's ever made. And the console is just getting started. The DualShock 4 is everything gamers wanted from Sony's next gamepad.

Fast; Powerful; Great gamepad; Beautiful design; Dramatic improvement over PS3 gamepad; Clickable touchpad; The best triggers on any gamepad

Short gamepad battery life; Weak game lineup at launch; Terrible battery life; Analog stick coating isn't grippy enough

Sleeker, faster and more flexible than ever, Sony's PlayStation 4 turns out to be a formidable force in the living room.

Powerful hardware hasn't even reached its full potential; Much-improved DualShock 4 controller; Multitasking allows background downloads; music over games and more; Sharing content is simple; Justifies owning a Vita

Many features still on the way; like Gaikai streaming games; Baffling lack of DLNA and MP3 support

The PS4 Slim (given the technical title of CUH-2000) represents the new standard PlayStation 4 console. It's a hardware revamp that incorporates a makeover of both console and controller.

Incredibly quiet; Much more energy efficient; Looks lovely; Easier to expand HDD space

Controller analogue sticks still not durable enough; The PS4 Pro makes this a tough sell to dedicated fans

If you're looking to jump into the new generation of consoles and want the highest possible performance without spending a small fortune, look no further than the PlayStation 4. Pound-for-pound compared to the Xbox One and Wii U, the PS4 reigns as the most powerful "next-gen" console in 2014.

Perfect controller; more powerful specs than Xbox One; higher resolution multiplatform games; only $399; compact form factor; runs quiet

Lacks some functionality that even the PS3 has; not much of a game library yet

Is the PS4 better than the Xbox One? Tough call –– both are very good consoles. Here's our verdict on the AWESOME PS4

Next generation graphics; cheaper than competitors; slick user interface; excellent controller

Lack of A-list titles; camera not included

One year after its initial release, and to cap off two decades of PlayStation, the Sony PlayStation 4 finds itself in an esteemed position at the tail-end of 2014. The PS4 seems to be winning the new-generation console race against the Xbox One - at least, in terms of sales - and its growing library...

Fast user interface; powerful for producing graphical gaming marvels; holds masses of future potential; Remote Play via PS Vita is fun; strengthening games lineup

Still no media streaming; 500GB storage insufficient; Store download prices are often absurdly high

The like most new electronics, the PS4 does have some software issues right out of the box but it's nothing that cant be patched. The fact is the PS4 is a powerhouse that will eventually let us do things that would never think was possible as gamers.

The PS4 console delivers on all counts for PlayStation gamers with superior hardware and a list of games that will grow over time. While it lacks some of the multimedia features of the Xbox One, the PlayStation 4 can still hold its own as a family entertainment device.

Sony has created a powerhouse with the Playstation brand and loyal followers have come to expect unrivaled versatility and performance from any device bearing the brand name. The Playstation 4 is heralded as one of the most advanced gaming consoles on the market today with elevated capabilities...

True gamers have always been early adopters, but I believe the next-generation of gaming is still a year or more away when it comes to game design and making the most out of the amazing system Sony has delivered.

Positives Great new design; incredible controller; integrated sharing and streaming; cool remote and second screen features

Negatives Online now requires PS Plus subscription; limited export capabilities; no Bluetooth/IR support for headsets or remotes; poor library management; weak launch lineup; no MP3 or DNLA support