CNET: The PS3 Slim is now a reality. The compact console will be available on September 1 for $299. Our review sample just arrived, and our hands-on evaluation will follow soon. We don't expect any real performance departures from the current console--the changes are more cosmetic than anything else. In the meantime, we've got Brian Tong's hands-on video on the PS3 Slim (above), along with a quick mini-FAQ on the new PS3 (below). If you have a question that's not addressed here, put it in the comments, and we'll do our best to find an answer.
Microsoft is pushing for no "red line" for what games could come to PlayStation, and it all revolves around Satya Nadella and CFO Amy Hood's plans to increase every department's margins.
"The plan to move Xbox games to other platforms is codenamed "Latitude" internally, and I know there's debate and unease at Microsoft about whether or not this is a good idea. More upcoming Microsoft-owned games slated for PlayStation are already being developed. At least for now, they're potentially obvious games you'd most likely expect. And yes, while it's true Microsoft is a prolific publisher on PlayStation already, it has typically revolved around specific franchises like Minecraft. From what I've heard, Microsoft is pushing for no "red line" for what games could come to PlayStation, and it all revolves around Satya Nadella and CFO Amy Hood's mandate to increase every department's margins. "
Yeah, they are going to kill Xbox hardware.
"Yeah, they are going to kill Xbox hardware."
It's for the best.
Quit stringing along xbox fans and screwing over PlayStation owners.
An Xbox game on a Playstation. Never in my years of gaming did i ever thought this was gonna happen.
No way can they get rid of the hardware as probably 90% of game pass subscribers are hardware users.
Highly doubtful those users will move to PC or Cloud to subscribe there and the competition (Sony and Nin) will never have gamepass on their system.
If they want to keep the current subscribers, they need to keep releasing new hardware.
i think it will kill off the xbox brand. windows will be fine.
but there is and would be a chance that xbox might be killed off in the future. if they fail to make the money they put in. imo.
They wont kill it, but they will go fully PC while keeping xbox as a brand, and go multiplatform for the most part. They will also work tirelessly to diminish console gaming’s importance.
It would be best if Xbox goes the way of Sega, just make and publish games. I know I myself will not support them at all with buying games from them, you all can. 🙃
The Xbox brand will live for the games. I don’t expect Microsoft to entirely drop out of gaming hardware. They make Surface tablets and laptops. They’ll make Xbox branded hardware for those that want it.
"Microsoft is pushing for no "red line" for what games could come to PlayStation"
Forza and Starfield next?
Starfield would be no surprise and there's the rumor that it will come to Playstation after the Shattered Space DLC, Forza (along with Halo and Gears of War) I find less likely but I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually end up on PlayStation too, especially if Xbox give up on hardware and go the Sega route.
Not to worried about forza. I'd rather see others like what inxile and obsidian are working on. Starfield sounds like it needs more time in the oven so let it cook first imo. If starfield and it's a small if does release on ps it'll be in the fall around the time for dlc or right at the dlc and come packaged with it.
In the words of Phil Spencer when he was talking about Nintendo last year
“It's just taking a long time for Microsoft to see that their future exists off of their own hardware"
100%!!
I wonder what happened to that dude that was always here posting those court articles with cartoons about MS spending all those billions in studios. He suddenly disappeared, I guess he doesn't like bad news when the green brand is in trouble. No new articles from him as of late...
Replies(7)
Here's our guide to the best GPUs for V Rising in 2024, now that the game is out of early access - the best from Nvidia, AMD, and even Intel.
MSI celebrates the 20th anniversary of Monster Hunter with this unique bundle that features a matching RTX 4060 Ti and game controller.
They got one. Can't believe I'm actually going to quote Jim Sterling here (I'm not a "professional" journalist though, so it's not that bad :P):
"Now they need to STFU."
It doesn't have extra USB ports or card readers, CNET says. I do hope that the articles about the stripped down (non HD ready, HDMI-less, extra optical out-less) new 360 "elites" (Pros with bigger hard-drives, really) start appearing all over the web soon.
I doubt it though. I don't know what the fascination is with wingeing over the PS3. It's almost like it's a sport.
Edit. This is my favorite: "Did Sony finally add an IR port, so I can use my universal remote control?" Seriously? Because that's the feature that all gamers have been clamouring for. No matter how you look at it, dollar for dollar, the PS3 now offers the most value. These articles are nothing but a blind stab at mythical features that the PS3 'should' have in an attempt at obfuscating the value that it DOES have.
$299 for the PS3 was the nightmare announcement they prayed would never come.
*BUT*
you know me guys; I see a weak article, I post it to steal their hits.
The PS3 Slim is now a reality. The compact console will be available on September 1 for $299. Our review sample just arrived, and our hands-on evaluation will follow soon. We don't expect any real performance departures from the current console--the changes are more cosmetic than anything else. In the meantime, we've got Brian Tong's hands-on video on the PS3 Slim (above), along with a quick mini-FAQ on the new PS3 (below). If you have a question that's not addressed here, put it in the comments, and we'll do our best to find an answer.
When can I get the new PS3 Slim?
It'll be widely available as of September 1 for $299.
What are the major physical differences between the new PS3 Slim and the previous versions of the PS3?
Sony has pretty much crammed the same hardware into a smaller form factor. The new chassis is thinner vertically and horizontally, but it is deeper than the previous PS3--it's almost a square. The front power and eject buttons are now actual, depressable keys (not touch-sensitive), and there's also no standby power switch on the console's rear panel.
Are there any notable feature differences?
The new model has a 120GB hard drive, up from the 80GB model on the previous entry-level model. Geeks will lament that Sony has removed the ability to install a second operating system, but that won't be missed by the vast majority of mainstream users.
Does it play PS2 games?
No dice. Like the recent PS3 models, the PS3 Slim does not offer backward compatibility with PS2 game discs. However, it can play older PS1 titles (on disc or via download from the PlayStation Store.)
Are there flash card readers?Again, no. Ports for Compact Flash, Memory Stick, and SD cards existed on the earliest PS3 models, but they were dropped on more recent iterations. If you want to access digital media files, you'll need to put them on a USB drive, burn them to a disc, or access them over the network.
Any change to media support?
No differences that we can discern. The PS3 Slim still plays all manner of Blu-ray movies, DVDs, and CDs, and it doubles as an excellent media streamer from other PCs or DLNA-capable media servers.
What's in the box?
Just the basics: the console, a single Dual Shock 3 controller, USB cable (for charging the controller), AC power cord, and composite AV cable. There are no bundled games in this version of the PS3.
PlayStation 3 Slim unboxing -- photos
Did Sony finally add an IR port, so I can use my universal remote control?
In a word: nope. That's our biggest gripe with the new model. Owners of Logitech Harmony remotes, however, can still use the $60 adapter that will translate IR commands to Bluetooth.
Is the hard drive still user-upgradeable?
Yes--you can still do a DIY upgrade with a standard 2.5-inch laptop hard drive. We'll update our How-To video to give you a step-by-step guide for the PS3 Slim soon.
Can I stand the PS3 Slim vertically?
Out of the box, the answer is no. Ironically, it's so skinny, it'll tip over too easily. However, Sony is pledging to sell a stand separately--in other words, you'll be paying $24 for a hunk of plastic.
Is it really cheap-looking?
Opinions in the office are divided on this one. Some folks are really chafing at the textured matte finish, saying it makes the unit look cheap and plasticky--like a toy. Others (like me) prefer that to the shiny piano black finish of earlier PS3s, which was a magnet for fingerprints. Editor Jeff Bakalar, meanwhile, likens the square-ish design of the Slim to that of a record player.
PlayStation 3 Slim -- photos
Is it true that a 250GB PS3 Slim is coming soon?
Apparently so. Sony's made no official comment, but a more capacious PS3 Slim will certainly hit store shelves at some point--likely at the $399 price point.
Should I wait for the Slim, or buy one of the existing "PS3 Fat" consoles, now that they've also been cut to $299?
Unless you're particularly averse to the new design, it's definitely worth waiting a couple of weeks.
Got any other questions? Ready to make the jump to the PS3? Or is the Slim a letdown? Let us know in the comments below.
Sigh.
Anti-Xbox 360 Article: Up in a flash.
Anti-PS3 Article: Reported lame a million times.
If only the droids had something better to do than dictate a website.
PS3 fanboys whining is the best form of entertainment.
(Another) tilted CNET ps3 slim article "PS3 Slim:Everything you need to know"
Apologies for breaking the rules so badly when I submitted this. It was late and the article seemed silly...