AU: The PS3 Slim will be released here in Australia on September 3.
I actually plan to buy a PS3 Slim myself. I like that the new matte finish is more scratch and fingerprint resistant, even if it comes over as a little retro Chinese knock-off. In the same vein, these 10 considerations may not affect how you plan to use the Slim—but knowing is half the battle, right?
1. Available September 1, Prices Already Dropped (North America)
If you prefer your PS3 fat and glossy, the existing 80GB model has now dropped to $US300—that’s how much the new 120GB PS3 Slim will be in September. (The current 160GB PS3 has also been reduced, to $US400.) And be on the look for bargains as retailers wind down stock.
As Jason said in his hands on, the Slim isn’t really stable enough to balance vertically without its stand. Problem is, the stand is sold separately, and at $US24, seems over priced. You also won’t be able to pick one up until two days after the PS3 Slim first goes on sale. Expect to eventually see third-party alternatives in a Skittles-rainbow of colours.
3. Hard Drive Upgrades
As we’ve mentioned, FCC records indicate that Sony may also have plans for 150GB and 250GB versions of the 120GB PS3 Slim. Either way, it only takes two screws (now located on the front instead of the side) to swap in your own SATA laptop hard disk
That’s because it’s released on September 1, the same day the Slim goes on sale. So to get the 3.0 Firmware goodness, you’ll need to sit through a software update out of the box. Sony says it’ll preinstall 3.x in later units. Sounds fair to me.
5. It Won’t Play Your Old PlayStation 2 Games
Likely not a big deal unless you’ve got a massive collection of PS2 titles that you don’t want to part with. If so, the launch PS3s with hardware PS2 Emotion Engine are your best bet (for greater compatibility), but the second-generation 60- and 80GB models will also play PS2 games using software emulation.
In its infinite wisdom, Sony has removed the “Install Other OS” feature (Settings -> System Settings -> Install Other OS) and official Linux support along with it. The current 80- and 160GB PS3s support Linux, but Sony’s cut the cord on the Slim because it wants to “standardize” the OS. Counting down to open-source hack in 3, 2…
7. No On-Off Switch
The Slim has no on-off switch at the back, so now relies on the standby power button at the front. Both the power and eject buttons are no longer touch-style; they’ve been changed to physical buttons.
8. No Media Card Reader
No surprise here: PS3s haven’t had media card slots for ages. Why not just stream photos from your laptop to the PS3 wirelessly, or copy them to a USB drive? Speaking of which…
9. Two USB Ports, Not Four
Not what we had hoped for, but again, not surprising. Not only is this a slimmed-down model, but all third-generation PS3s have only two USB ports (and skip the media card reader).
10. Bravia Sync
Connect the PS3 Slim to a Bravia Sync-capable Sony HDTV (via HDMI) and you’ll be able to control the XMB interface with your TV remote. The TV will even automatically power down the PS3 when it gets turned off.
11. It Plays The Same PS3 Games!
Slim or not, it’s still a freakin’ PS3 and will play the same PS3 games you throw at it!
Steve McQuarrie
August 20, 2009 at 11:36 AM
I’d love Sony to release an update for current PS3′s to enable Bravia Sync…
Report Permalinkmatt
August 20, 2009 at 12:10 PM
yeah, sadly I think it might be a hardware thing..
I wish they would just give it an IR port so we could use universal remotes… with On/Off support of course.
actually, lack of an IR port seems like a really big omission for a device i use more as a media player than for games…
Report PermalinkMick
August 20, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Boring – It looks cheap and nasty.Im so glad I have my 60 GB original shiny one. Im sticking with it I prefer to have the PS3 as it was originally intended to be, not some modified dummed down console.
Report Permalinkproductred
August 20, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Why is it in the 494AUD to 499AUD pre-order price range from the local Victoria shops?
299USD is currently only around 360AUD.
We are still being robbed.
Report PermalinkRichard
August 20, 2009 at 1:30 PM
@productred
You get a $200 price cut and you still complain.
Bloody ingrates.
Report PermalinkChris
August 20, 2009 at 8:02 PM
I believe US prices seldom include all taxes — they vary from state to state so it’s easier to just quote the ex-tax price.
Report PermalinkI could be wrong, but I think I’m right.
Grayda
August 20, 2009 at 1:23 PM
I wonder why they removed the “Install other OS” feature? Perhaps people were getting dangerously close to breaking the hypervisor and pirating games?
Either way, I agree with productred. We’re being robbed. I’m going to strut in to my local Harvey Norman, put one on order and tell them $400. No more. According to a guy at my local HN, HN buy the console at a loss, then Sony reimburses them for that loss. So it’s not like they’re out of pocket or anything.
But they REALLY need to bring back PS2 support. More money in their pocket for not a whole lot of cost, plus I want to play MGS 1, 2 and 3 before I unwrap 4 to play it.
Report PermalinkCaptain Obvious
August 20, 2009 at 2:33 PM
No offense Grayda, but “your guy” at the local Harvey Norman is on drugs.
Harvey Norman like all other retailers, purchase the console for a price that normally makes them next to nothing. the way I understand it is that Sony sells to retailers at a higher cost in Asia Pacific due to shipping etc, EB & HN sell it for what ever they buy it for, most of the time I don’t think either of them make money on teh console.
Harvey Norman though do have a great presell offer, I just went in and put money down on one at HN Albury, they gave me a choice of a Bonus game with my preorder.. WIN!! “my guy” at HN told me the pre-order offer was national, might be worth checking out if you want one.
Report PermalinkHold on
August 20, 2009 at 8:57 PM
No completely correct here.
They will purchase them at f-all margin (usually around 6-7%) to sell. Sony will then offer retailers bundle pricing at different times during the year, retailer pays sony full price for console + whatever is included in bundle. Say the total cost to the retailer for these items comes to $700 and sony set the srp at $699, they (sony) will pay the retailer back a “reimbursement” or industry term is “scan rebate” for the difference between the 6% the retailer should have made and the $699 price point. in this case were cost paid to sony comes to $700 the retailer will be paid back $41.99 by sony.
Report PermalinkAlex
August 20, 2009 at 2:29 PM
I have original 60GB and i am not planing on getting the slim because i like playing favorite PS1 PS2 and of course PS3 games. I Don’t Understand Why Sony Does Not Make All PS3′s Backwards Compatible.
Report Permalinkkaleb
August 25, 2009 at 12:24 AM
i think id rather the good old fashioned PS3 it sounds better..jus coz the new one has gone on a diet it doesnt mean its any better…and id rather the old coz the new one is way to ugly to even show to your firends…wii/PS3 i dont think so :( sadly its doin nothin for me
Report Permalinkkaleb
August 25, 2009 at 12:27 AM
that last comment didnt really make much sense….the old PS3 looks better. but i reckon sony would make aheap more money if they jus made em all backwards compatible..i mean i have all the FF games on PS2 and i dont plan on gettin rid of them at all.
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