Thanks to living in the wrong time zone, the press release on this has been sitting in my inbox for about 10 hours. But no matter, I still have to write something about it! If you’re like me, and just getting out of bed, you probably just learned that those pictures of the cheesy, cheap, toy-like PS3 slim actually turned out to be real. Yup, Sony has made it official – the current version of Playstation 3 is being replaced by Slim models. This will start with a 120 GB version for $299 USD, and eventually a 250 GB version will be available (presumably for $399 again).
Internally, it’s just about the same. The only software feature missing is the ability to install Linux. So if you ever wanted to do that, you better head to a store right now and pick up an 80GB for $299 while you can.
On the outside, they have gone from a futuristic-looking (albeit bulky) console to something that looks more like a toy. The cool touch-sensitive buttons have been replaced by actual buttons, and the piano-like glossy finish has been replaced by a dull, matte finish. But I guess looks are defined by individual taste.
From the 1Up unboxing video (embedded after the break), it looks to be extremely wobbly when positioned vertically – something that was probably intentionally done to get you to buy the vertical stand for $24 (!). I am also surprised (and pleased) that they were actually able to keep the size and weight down while keeping the power supply unit inside the system! They could have easily just given it an external power supply, and shrunk it just like that.
So while I applaud Sony for finally lowering the price on the PS3, and I appreciate the fact that the PS3 Slim is pretty much functionally identical to the most recent models, I personally think it’s… well, fugly.
Check out the unboxing video after the break:
I dunno, I prefer a matte finish, that way you don’t have to clean it as often.
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I have the 80 gig glossy finish one. I like the look of it much better than the slim. Looks very classy and distinguished. But let’s face it, who sits there and stares at their console? Looks don’t matter so much. What does is not getting the RRoD like I did on the 360, 3 times in a year and a half. I’ve had my ps3 for a year now. Not one problem with it. I actually use my ps3 more because the 360 got hot. I run Folding@Home on my ps3 for 6 hours every night, overnight, and I swear it doesn’t even get warm. I would never leave my 360 on even once for 6 hours. By the way, I don’t have a 360 anymore.
I think the recent model is better and look, I personaly love for my PS3 160 gig work for PS2 cause I have some games that I like to play old school.