Today though, let’s discuss the PS3 Slim. 33% smaller than the launch model, 36% lighter and consuming around 40% less power, the slimmed down version of the console released way back in 2009.
It wasn’t a great surprise when it was announced by Sony – various rumours and spy shots had spoiled the effect a little and the PS1 and PS2 both had similar face lifts – but the new model still impressed with its distinctive lines.
Sadly, various features were removed. Linux for one, PS2 playback for another, and the number of USB ports dropped to two compared with the four on the launch machines. Such reductions were seen in later models of the first version, of course, but the Slim marked a distinctly cut-down PS3 even though it came with a few benefits of its own.
HDMI TV control was one, a big fat hard drive another, and of course the new model ran quieter and is generally considered to be more reliable than the so-called ‘phat’. I personally think that the fancy slick touch controls and more ample mid section of the original PS3 – in that lovely piano black – were great ideas, but I do like the smaller form factor of the Slim too.
TSA’s fancy TEST PS3 is a Slim model, it’s lovely, but when my Phat PS3 died a few months back and I swapped it for a regular Slim I couldn’t have been happier – even though I’d lost all my save games and about 100GB of downloads!
bmg_123
I love my ‘Phat’ PS3 too much to swap it for a slim. The lovely piano black, touch buttons, even the logo (which I still miss from the game startups). Hopefully it’ll last me many years to come, but being a 2008 model, then hopefully that will be true. Don’t think you can still beat the deal I got on it; funnily enough, it was from GAME for £300, with LittleBigPlanet, Fallout 3, Resistance 2, Call of Duty: World at war and LOST!
chall5
not used one as my 40GB phat is still going strong but the new form factor is nicer IMHO and a 40% reduction in power consumption is quite an achievement
Nickboss1
bought my fat ps3 80gig model 3 years ago and it’s still going strong. My bother on the other hand had to replace his slim twice due to hard drive issues.
cc_star
The slim is good, still not keen on the rough matt finish but at least it diesnt smear like the phat.
It desperately needs a USB around the back, terrible decision not to have one or two there as my carefully placed PSEye cable still ruins my setup.
Lower power consumption another big plus the length of time I used to play on it I’ve noticed the difference when I changed my phat for a slim & an older plasma for an LED LCD, now I’m on it far, far less it wouldn’t be a huge difference, but it was.
bunimomike
Agreed. Mind bogglingly stupid idea to not have USB ports on the back of the slim. Still, it’s a lovely size console and the power reduction makes me feel a lot better about gaming. Shame it doesn’t quite run as quietly as my 40GB phatty did. :-\
LTG Davey
Phat > Slim, no question.
KeRaSh
Piano black + touch buttons = win
I’m only jealous of the lower power consumption. Not even bothered by the size.
Amphlett
@LTG Davey
A sound and reasoned argument there.
Youles
To be fair most of the Fatties lost PS2 playback too.
Anyway I have a 60gb (now 500gb) launch Fatty and a 200gb (now 500gb) Slim and I couldn’t be happier. Best of both :D
I think my Slim looks better as it’s mat back, but the button panel and offical vertical stand are shinny black. Is it wrong that I think a console “looks good”?! Such a geek.
LTG Davey
“Is it wrong that I think a console “looks good”?!”
Lol, not at all. No point handing over a large sum of money for something ugly. I found that out the hard way once on holiday in Amsterdam ;)
Youles
Ha ha ;)
Amphlett
You and Wayne Rooney!
Kennykazey
I’m running a 3rd gen phat model, the last hardware revision before the slim came out. But I’ve fitted mine with a 500GB HDD. I like the slims smaller size, but prefer the design and touch controls of the phats. USB ports also seem easier to put stuff in for some reason.
What most people don’t know is that the phat models went through hardware improvements leading up to the slim in terms of nanometer tech used for the Cell. This reduces power consumption and should reduce the chance of overheating.
90nm (launch model) -> 65nm (3rd gen phat, 2008) -> 45nm (slim)
Origami Killer
I have a 60GB Phat PS3 (my third one after YLOD’s), the first was bought at launch. But they feel like they are going to break every time you use it so I opted to go for the 320GB Slim when Move came out, so september 2010. Great decision. Very much quieter meaning I can watch films and play games without trying to battle over the fan sounds to hear whats happening.
Another thing missing in the slim was the card slots for SD, micro SD and pro sticks. having only 2 slots is a bit annoying too. 4 would be nice. Phat comes in handy for them. Design is not as nice. Still the memory and quieter sounds makes up for it.
JBoo
I wouldn’t mind at E3 SONY bringing out a even slimmer/smaller PS3 :P
+ I do miss PS2 playback tho :-(
nofi
;)
cam the man
The only time I’ve used a PS2 game in my (now dead) phat PS3 was to see what the up-scaling looked like, wasn’t impressed. So haven’t missed it in my slim one.
matthangzhou
Well they’ve just announced a new psp and nofi’s wink are all the confirmation I need!
Taylor Made
When the slim came out my Xbox never saw daylight again. I’m glad they released the slim cause the phat ps3 was priced redicilous it made me buy an Xbox.
I don’t think I slept for a week playing don’t even know what game I was playing but was super excited