Sony released its PlayStation 2 console in 2000, and four years after that the company came out with a much slimmer version of the console, with many features amiss when compared to the original. So when there were rumors about a slimmer, trimmer version of Sony’s PlayStation 3 console, everybody perked up their ears in anticipation of what Sony would be bringing out of the cauldron next. Now the PS3 Slim, as it is known colloquially, has made it to store shelves and seems to be very popular among Sony fans the world over.
Slimmer doesn’t always mean less though. In fact, the PS3 Slim has a 2.5 inch Serial ATA hard drive with 120 GB of storage space, and Sony is apparently prepping a 250 GB PS3 Slim to touch down soon. The high-definition Blu-ray player is ideal for either gaming or for watching your favorite Blu-ray movies, and it plays CDs and DVDs with ease. The PS3 Slim also features built-in Wi-Fi over the first PlayStation 3 model, making it internet ready. The console comes with an AC power chord, an AV cable and a USB cable as well as a DualShock 3 Wireless Controller. It also obviously features HDMI output which makes it capable of outputting video at the crystal clear 1080p resolution.
The PS3 Slim is a lot quieter than its predecessors. In fact, it is about thirty-three percent quieter and also consumes about 33 percent less power. The characteristic whirring is hardly heard when watching a Blu-ray movie or while playing through even the more silent sections of a video game. And the lower power consumption means that the Slim will also be lighter on your electricity bills. Weighing in at 3.2 kg, compared to its fatter, 5 kg older brother, it fits really nicely into the modern living room setting, and will go perfectly with the LCD flat-screen TV monitor. A stand is also available which makes the Slim sit upright comfortably. It must be purchased separately though and may make popping in discs without knocking the console about, a little tricky. But it does make the console “stand” out and break away from the norm.
All that good being said about the PS3 Slim must be balanced out with the few, seemingly less significant drawbacks of the console, which does have a few features missing. First of all, the PS2 compatibility that everyone so much craves is not featured. With the colossal number of PS2 titles, Sony doesn’t come off looking good at all by leaving out this feature, although PS2 compatibility has been missing in the previous iteration of the console as well. Smaller size also means less space available, for USB ports that is! And unlike the first PS3 and just as the previous iteration of the PS3 did, the Slim carries only 2 USB ports. Another drawback is the fact that an HDMI output cable is not provided and must be purchased separately, just like the stand, which increases the final price of the Slim. One feature that the average gamer might not miss is the inability to install a third party OS.
The PS3 Slim comes in a matte black finish, a far cry from the smooth glossy surface of the original PlayStation 3 console. And we like it! The touch sensitive panels for the power and disc eject have made way for physical, matte-styled buttons on a super glossy surface. That having been said, the new look goes really well for the latest PS3, and we give looks a good 8.5 out of 10.
The Final Word: The increased storage space, easy connectivity to the internet, in-built web browser and free online gaming service give the PS3 Slim something that few other consoles out there today can boast about. And the ability to play Blu-ray discs in high-def just adds to the console’s appeal. A sturdy console which is well worth its price, we think.
Looks: 8.5/10.
Functionality: 9.2/10.
Overall (not an average): 9.0/10.