Everything you need to know about PS3 SlimThe PS3 Slim is now a reality. The review sample just arrived in the US office, and our hands-on evaluation will follow soon. We don't expect any real performance departures from the current console--the changes are more cosmetic than anything else. In the meantime, we've Brian Tong's hands-on video on the PS3 Slim (above), along with a quick mini-FAQ on the new PS3 (below). If you have a question that's not addressed here, put it in the comments, and we'll do our best to find an answer. When can I get the new PS3 Slim? It'll be widely available as of September 1 for US$299, 299 euros and 29,980 yen in the US, Europe and Japan, respectively. What are the major physical differences between the new PS3 Slim and the previous versions of the PS3? Sony has pretty much crammed the same hardware into a smaller form factor. The new chassis is thinner vertically and horizontally, but it is deeper than the previous PS3--it's almost a square. The front power and eject buttons are now actual, depressable keys (not touch-sensitive), and there's also no standby power switch on the console's rear panel. Are there any notable feature differences? The new model has a 120GB hard drive, up from the 80GB model on the previous entry-level model. Geeks will lament that Sony has removed the ability to install a second operating system, but that won't be missed by the vast majority of mainstream users. Does it play PS2 games? No dice. Like the recent PS3 models, the PS3 Slim does not offer backward compatibility with PS2 game discs. However, it can play older PS1 titles (on disc or via download from the PlayStation Store). Are there Flash card readers? Again, no. Ports for CompactFlash, Memory Stick, and SD cards existed on the earliest PS3 models, but they were dropped on more recent iterations. If you want to access digital media files, you'll need to put them on a USB drive, burn them to a disc, or access them over the network. Any change to media support? No differences that we can discern. The PS3 Slim still plays all manner of Blu-ray movies, DVDs, and CDs, and it doubles as an excellent media streamer from other PCs or DLNA-capable media servers. What's in the box? Just the basics: The console, a single Dual Shock 3 controller, USB cable (for charging the controller), AC power cord, and composite A/V cable. There are no bundled games in this version of the PS3. Tags: Sony PlayStation 2, PS3 Slim, Sony Corp., AC power, disc |
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Devlin says...
Does the reduction in size entail the inclusion of a powerbrick?
Aug 20, 2009 14:51
Does the reduction in size entail the inclusion of a powerbrick?
Aug 20, 2009 14:51
PhilipWong says...
Yup! The Slim still uses internal power supply.
Aug 20, 2009 18:46
Yup! The Slim still uses internal power supply.
Aug 20, 2009 18:46
HouseBum says...
It finally makes sense to buy a PS3, definitely getting one.
Aug 20, 2009 18:45
It finally makes sense to buy a PS3, definitely getting one.
Aug 20, 2009 18:45
Zagatos says...
Took them long enough to cut the price down. Its a great deal now to get a ps3 too bad I bought a chunky one but no regrets, definitely this will turn around the ps3 for the best.
Aug 21, 2009 12:26
Took them long enough to cut the price down. Its a great deal now to get a ps3 too bad I bought a chunky one but no regrets, definitely this will turn around the ps3 for the best.
Aug 21, 2009 12:26
darthmax says...
Can it bit-stream DTS-HD to AV receiver?
Aug 27, 2009 12:53
Can it bit-stream DTS-HD to AV receiver?
Aug 27, 2009 12:53
PhilipWong says...
Yup!! Dolby TrueHD bitstream via HDMI as well.
Aug 27, 2009 18:11
Yup!! Dolby TrueHD bitstream via HDMI as well.
Aug 27, 2009 18:11
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