The first PS3's that got shipped also had dysfunctional problems, the original ones in paticular had faulty fans that didn't work so the PS3 got overheated and would eventually shut off or freeze on its own. Thankfully Sony actually cares about their product and they will fix it unlike Microsoft, but since they replace your systems I guess it wouldn't matter..
Your new PS3 should work, you won't half to go through 3 360's like some of these other guys lol..