10 Things You Need to Know About the PS3 Slim

ZAP_Tech

ZAP_Tech

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Source:
http://gizmodo.com/5341207/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-ps3-slim

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 $300—that's how much the new 120GB PS3 Slim will be in September. (The current 160GB PS3 has also been reduced, to $400.) And be on the look for bargains as retailers wind down stock: Today's Gadget Deals of the Day has an 80GB bundle that includes LittleBigPlanet and a Blu-ray copy of Wall-E for $299 (normally $400).

2. You'll Probably Want the Stand
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 $24, seems over priced. You also won't be able to pick one up until 2 days after the PS3 Slim first goes on sale. Expect to eventually see third-party alternatives in a Skittles-rainbow of colors.

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

4. PS3 3.0 Firmware Not Initially Pre-Installed
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.

6. No Linux for You!
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 2 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 and Blu-ray movies you throw at it! Plus, the new 45nm Cell chip helps it consume less power, and may potentially even be a little faster.
Click to expand...
 
All in all seems more like a downgrade. :eek:

They have taken so many features away just to make something that generally sits in one place its whole life thinner? Fail.
 
Grimspoon said:
All in all seems more like a downgrade. :eek:

They have taken so many features away just to make something that generally sits in one place its whole life thinner? Fail.
Click to expand...

Downgrade?
Only thing removed was Linux support.
Other than that its just a change in aesthetics which no doubt contributed to the cheaper price.
 
no 11

Slim PS3 gets new Cell
WHEN SONY'S SLIM PS3 hits the shops next month it will come with the latest Cell chip.

The new, smaller gaming console will carry an upgraded version of the Cell microprocessor jointly developed by IBM, Sony and Toshiba.

According to Big Blue, it is fabbed using a 45nm manufacturing process. It will still use IBM's Power CPU architecture but will draw less power than earlier chips.

The earlier PS3 console carried a Cell processor manufactured using the 65nm process. Sadly IBM tells us that speed wise it will all be the same, but our power bills will be smaller.

The smaller chips cost less to produce, which contributed to Sony's decision to cut the console's price to $299. A Sony executive said the advanced manufacturing process was a factor in driving the console's price down.

Earlier consoles carried the RSX GPU developed jointly by Nvidia and Sony. The graphics core in the PS3 Slim has to be compatible with the RSX GPUs so existing games for the PS3 can run on the new console.

More details on the PS3 Slim are available
Click to expand...
 
Earlier consoles carried the RSX GPU developed jointly by Nvidia and Sony. The graphics core in the PS3 Slim has to be compatible with the RSX GPUs so existing games for the PS3 can run on the new console.
Click to expand...

I am a little confused as to why they chose to include this information.
 
Solidus said:
Downgrade?
Only thing removed was Linux support.
Other than that its just a change in aesthetics which no doubt contributed to the cheaper price.
Click to expand...

4. PS3 3.0 Firmware Not Initially Pre-Installed
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.

6. No Linux for You!
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 2 USB ports (and skip the media card reader).



There are a lot of no's in there :rolleyes:
 
Grimspoon said:
4. PS3 3.0 Firmware Not Initially Pre-Installed
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.

6. No Linux for You!
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 2 USB ports (and skip the media card reader).



There are a lot of no's in there :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

1. Firmware is easily obtainable, can even grab it from IS ftp server!

2. Recent models i.e 40/80/160 GB version can't play PS2 games
Same with card reader and USB Support

3. Linux install - Only thing removed

4. On/Off switch are just buttons and that is nothing but aesthetics its so I don't see it as a downgrade
 
It sounds decent enough. Keeping support for older PS2 games would be a plus. It can't be much for a console like the PS3 to be able to support those games. I have a great collection of old PS2 games that are unfortunately, untouched.
 
mcryan said:
It sounds decent enough. Keeping support for older PS2 games would be a plus. It can't be much for a console like the PS3 to be able to support those games. I have a great collection of old PS2 games that are unfortunately, untouched.
Click to expand...

Its basically the same as the 80GB model with a bigger HDD, same amount of ports, and extras. Its just smaller, and light and more power efficient. As for the linux thing, how much PS3 users bothered install another OS???

BTW linux took forever to boot the PS3 up, and thus was a disadvantage anyway, goodbye pirates.

As for PS2 support, dont worry sony patent the emulation software, so either they going to release it soon or working on it to work properly. I own a 60Gb model and i barely use it to play PS2 games, i just use the ps2 and a have a nice library too.
 
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All in all it is the same machine in a new case, with only the Other OS functionality removed. If you guys read the other things, it's not a removal of features, compared to the current gen of PS3's, but more like a modification of it's current features.
 
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