Sony announces PlayStation 3 Slim

Posted on 19 Aug 2009 at 11:18

Sony has fired the next salvo in its continuing console war with Microsoft and Nintendo. It's just announced the new PlayStation Slim, a smaller version of its current PlayStation 3 console (PS3). It measures just 65x290x290mm, which is around two-thirds of the size of the 98x325x274mm original. The new design will be launched on the 1st of September in the UK at a recommended price of £249 inc VAT.

It has a 120GB hard disk, larger than the current 80GB model. Sony claim that power consumption has been reduced, along with the amounts of heat generated, resulting in less fan noise than the present model. The Slim still has all the inputs and outputs you're likely to need, with exactly the same AV and networking capabilities. It only has two USB ports, down from four on the original model, though this is still sufficient for most users.

The Slim's Blu-ray drive has the same 2x read speed as earlier models, so load times of games won't be improved. A disappointment given that the PS3 is often slower to load and install games than its main competitor, the Xbox 360.

The Slim includes Bravia Link, so those with Sony TVs will be able to control the console and TV from a single remote. However, the ability to install Linux has been removed, though we doubt that will bother many users.

Sony currently lags behind both Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii when it comes to console and software sales. We think this is due to the high price of its hardware, largely due to the inclusion of Blu-ray playback. We can't see the new PS3 Slim overturning this deficit, but it should certainly turn the heads of those looking for both a Blu-ray player and games console.

Author: Seth Barton

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