When Sony designed the ps3 console, they designed it in such a way that you can make it stand up or if preferred, to lay it down flat. Now let me explain one thing, if you stand up a ps3 console it will make no difference on making the ps3 run more cooler, people say that it prevents the ps3 from overheating and getting the dreaded yellow light of death. But actually it makes no effect at all, overheating is always caused because of poor ventilation on a ps3 console, not the position it is placed at. So it doesnt matter which way position your ps3 console it placed at, it wont affect performance or reduce heat from hardware components.
But each position has downfalls and good points that you could argue about all day:
Standing a ps3 upright:
The good:
*Standing up a ps3 console in a vertical direction can make your ps3 console look more appealing and stand out or look better with your TV and TV stand, as people are more likely to spot a ps3 standing up, than a console that is lied down.
*It is easier to plug in and remove usb devices from the usb ports placed on the console because if you try to insert an usb memory stick into a free usb port on a ps3 that is laying down, it is very tricky to get it in, without scratching the plastic around the port.
*It makes the ps3 run quieter because when the disc drive reads the game disc, it causes vibrations to be heard when laying down the console, but they cant be heard when the console is standing up.
The bad:
*It can get knocked down easily by kids or people that are clumsy, if your console is standing up and is left in the middle of the floor. This can cause the ps3 to get damaged and can pull an cords that are attached to the console, damaging them also.
*The disc inside the console can get scratched if the ps3 is moved around in the standing up position.
Laying the ps3 flat:
The good:
*If a ps3 is laying down it is much secure and safe because people cant knock it down, therefore preventing the cords and the console to get pulled and damaged.
*It is very difficult to insert a usb device into the usb ports on the console, as they are hard to access when the console is flat, as they are placed at the bottom.
*The console will not cause scratches to appear on a game disc, if you move the console around when it is laying flat, because it prevents the disc to be moving around inside the disc drive.
The bad:
*The vibrations from the disc spinning in the disc drive can be heard and get annoying and lead you to increase the volume level on your television to eliminate it.
*The console doesnt look as sleek and cool, if compared to standing it up.
