Is upgrading to a PS3 Slim really a downgrade?

SmellyPirate from Sarcastic Gamer: Last year, the hospital I work for announced a change in our benefits package. They “upgraded” our vacation days to PTO (paid time-off). This “upgrade” entailed fewer days off per year, less flexibility for extended medical leave, and stricter guidelines on requested vacations. From this, I could only deduce that Sony had assumed ownership of my workplace.

[deadreckoning666]

Well, u get two less USB ports and sacrifice backwards compatibility...so yea. The 60gb PS3 is most definetly the best in my eyes. I use the Memory Stick Pro duo slot very often to transfer files to my Sony Ericsson phone. I wuldn't buy a Slim unless my 60gb broke and it was beyond repair.

[PoSTedUP]

well, yes imo. it doesnt have 4 usb ports, mem stick slots, backwards compatibility, the shiny sexy sleek and chromed out look of the original 80gig etc.

the white slim in japan i have to say is the nicest looking console EVER tho.

[Shadow Flare]

It always did confuse me when i heard people wanting to sell their ps3 to get a slim. I really could not fathom why. This is one instance where buying a console on day 1 really paid off because the launch 60gb ps3's had everything. Full B/C, 4 USB slots, card readers, and in my opinion the looks. I really think the original ps3 looked awesome. Glad i still have mine

[dktxx2]

buying a ps3 is one time where being an early adopter really paid off.

[Lombax]

Because the Phats put out a LOT of heat can run loud and suck up more energy than a slim.

I just recently traded my 60gig in for a slim because I couldn't even play it durring the day. It gets too hot here in SoCal for me to run my old 60gig. =/

EDIT: A disagree? Uhh... What exactly are you disagreeing with? lol

[WhittO]

I have a launch 60GB and I use the Mem-card readers all the time for my Cam.
Use the USB Ports alot for Controllers but use it to charge other stuff like my cam or ipods now and again, especially when I have to charge Move controllers as well as my Dualshocks.

As for the B/C, can't say I have used it much, but it's nice to know it's there if I need it.

The Slim still has PS1 B/C though right? It's just the PS2 chip they decided to not include?

The ONLY plus I see in the Slim is more to do with it consuming less power and running cooler.
My PS3 is already quieter than the fan on my Surround Sound Speaker control unit lol.

[karl]

seriously considering to sell my fat 60gb ps3 and buy a new slim..
its a downgrade.. but it was all about the look for me...

i like it more... but even though i dont use the backward compatibility .. didnt have a ps2... i do use the sd memory slot.. so thats been holding me from selling it..

[Elwenil]

Well I don't have a lot of choice. RDR or maybe the last update finally did in my 80Gig backward compatible PS3, so I have to "upgrade" to a Slim now. I am sure I will miss the extra USB ports as I frequently have two of them filled with a charging controller, headset charging dock and a USB drive. Naturally I can charge my controllers from my PC or even from the USB slot on my TV, so I can adapt. One thing I will definitely miss is the sleek shiny look of the fat PS3. I really can't stand the textured look of the Slim and I'm seriously considering one of the various sticker packages to make it look gloss black like my old one even though they seem really cheap. So while the 250Gig HDD is an upgrade and the Slim should be more reliable, I will definitely miss my fat PS3 and it's glossy black styling. I'll be getting it fixed to use as a backup and a BluRay playing in another room though so I will still keep it around somewhere.

[BattleAxe]

I wouldn't replace my 60gig unit with a slim, but I love the way the Slim looks, and I don't really care about backwards compatibility anymore as I got rid of all my PS2 games. The only thing I don't like is that it only has 2 USB ports.

[IdleLeeSiuLung]

The only part of the slim that is an upgrade is really reduced power consumption due to the newer hardware, making the whole unit quieter.

Beyond that, the older phat (especially the 60GB) was i almost every way superior from craftsmanship to look. It looked more expensive, it felt more expensive, it had the nicer buttons (or lack thereof).... at one point it also had Other OS.

SO upgrading to a slim is like downgrading in my eyes, but hey you get the console for half the price that launch people paid. My brother paid I think $400-500 for it. Don't remember, but he got like 5 blu-ray movies for free with the machine. Slim is $300 and you get a 120GB hard drive that is larger as well. I guess to me, the BC feature isn't worth $200! However, $100 probably...

I just wished they made different skus that matter i.e. with BC, not a 130GB upgrade to the hard drive like they do now. There is nothing differentiating those machines at all when you can upgrade your own hard drive for significantly cheaper.

[SniperJDC]

I have the limited 160gb uncharted phat ps3 and have no problems with it getting too hot or too loud and I wouldn't trade it in for a slim cause I think its ugly IMO

[sikbeta]

BC PS3 Fats are The Most Complete of all the PS3 Models, I had Fat with no BC, didn't whine cos I put money on a Console to Play Games of this Gen, Now I have an Slim, I love it but I can't deny the fact that the BC PS3 Fats are the best, 10 Years of Gaming since Day One is Feature no other Console Have or ever had...

[cmrbe]

The slim is in my living room and fatty is with me in the bedroom.

It terms of capability yes the slim feels like a downgrade however i really love how much smaller, quite and less heat procude by the slim. In this regards the slim feels more of an advancement.

I really don't like the removal of the power switch at the back though. When my little nephwe comes around he always goes and press the power button. I hate having to constalntly turn off and on the power socket every time he is around.

Edit:Skibeta to be honest though i think most people that have 60gig like myself don't use BC often. Last time i used BC was to replay my MGS collection siince the Ps1 days getting ready for MGS4. I was going to do the same for GOW1 and GOW2 but i bought the Collection and played that instead. The next one is ICO and SOTC before TLG. So actual fact i have basically only used BC for 3 games only and i bought my PS3 in Jan 2007.

BC imo is really is an overated feature especially if you still have your PS2 and PS1.

[Projekt7tuning]

You know under a different story I had commented on my 60gigs Blu-ray drive dieing on me. I commented that I had to pay $150 for a "repair"(Given a Referb) from Sony, and that its a common problem on the older launch PS3s. People gave me disagrees as if it was some horrible lie and I called their mothers fat. Even though a quick Google search will show you that its a problem that Sony will not admit. So I kinda feel vindicated for this guys story. Its more proof that there is a problem with our launch units. My new "Referb" sounds like a 747 taking off. Im afraid every time I use it, a "please insert $150 and press start" logo is going to come up.LOL
I have had my 360 replaced 3 times for free Sony, this last time they gave me a choice to pay a little for a brand new Elite in the box. Do you here me Sony? Stop making us pay $150 on something we payed $600 for.

[BigPenguin]

Did you have your receipt? My 60g launch died at Christmas this year(7 months ago), a pretty obnoxious time for it to crap out honestly. I called up Sony and their first question to me was if I still had the receipt. I did(I keep all receipts and boxes for games and game systems, still have my launch n64 box), they said to send a copy of it in with my PS3, and I got it fixed for free. Mine was out of warranty for what? 2.5 years?

[smoothdude]

I just did the exact same thing as the writer of the blog. My PS3 phat was dying after about an hour and a half of gameplay, so I decided to get rid of it and go with the slim. I am very happy I did. The pictures of the slim don't do it justice, and I love the new colour and buttons on the front. I will miss the 4 usb ports, but considering that they don't charge anything when the system is off, I don't think it will be too bad.

The slim is so quiet. I love it, and the games load up way faster on this thing than they did with the phat. I guess it all depends on what is important to you, but for me, I love the slim.

[mboojigga]

Because it is slim. I just upgraded my Dec 05 360 to the new 360s and about to take my 80gig PS3 to Gamestop and get the $200 credit to go towards a slim. New warranty is one reason and I don't care about backwards compatibility. It plays BR movies as the previous games and it plays all the PSN and PS3 games I have purchased for it. Don't personally care about how many USB ports since I only used 2 at a time to charge my controllers anyway.

[PixlSheX]

I had to buy a slim because my 80Gb ps3 ylod'ed. I don't know what to do with it, i mean, i wish i could fix it.. can somebody tell me what can i do? I don't care if it's risk-y, i got this http://img64.imageshack.us/... (:

[IdleLeeSiuLung]

fix it with a quick fix and sell it off to gamestop?

[iamtehpwn]

If you have a nonBC 40gb like me, a Ps3 slim is definitely an upgrade just in terms of how much more quiet it runs.

Of course, I believe Sony is looking into the profitablity and consumer benefit of HD updated PS2 games and then releasing those on PSN before we see an emulator on the store. Granted, I'd much rather play them than upscale games.

[NewZealander]

well the slim has everything i need, i never bought the fat because i hate the way it attracts dust and scratches.

ive only ever used one usb port, so thats not a biggie, and ive played most of the big franchises on ps2 so backwards compatibility isnt an issue either, i never played god of war until the ps3 collection came out, and ive got to say sonys idea of making more collections like it is all good with me.

[tinybigman]

i've only used the memory stick like 2-3 times, and i only use 2 of the 4 usb ports on my 60 gig lol. the otherOS crap i pretty much don't give two good craps about.

[roguewarrior]

and SONY will send you a Refurbished 60GB. they tried to talk me into taking a slim for $120, i Laughed and said no thanx. Like I'm gonna give up 2 USB ports, Hardware BC, SACD support( Dark Side Of The Moon, 5.1 lossless.),and i like the touch power/eject instead of the buttons on the Slim.

[pixelsword]

I love how I can play all of my Resident Evil games that spans three PlayStations off of one PlayStation.

[Natsu X FairyTail]

Can u play PS2 games with a Slim? there you go.

[Folezicle]

Also you can't use Linux any more

[Hellsvacancy]

Can u play PS2 games on a 40gig PS3? well i cant, not that i care, so yeah, 4 me, buyin a Slim WOULD b an upgrade

[Spenok]

They took out the backwards compatability before the Slim came out.

[MysticStrummer]

I never used the BC on my old 60 gig. There you go.

[Valay]

Really depends on what matters to each person.

[Godmars290]

Yeah, depends on which phat model you have.

- Loose PS2 BC
- Loose 2 HDMI ports
- Loose media card slots
- Touch controls
- Chrome stripe

vs

+ Reliability
+ Lower heat/power consumption
+ "click-able" buttons?

[PixlSheX]

Loose 2 HDMI ports? Is there a phat model with 3 HDMI ports? o_O

[jjesso1993]

ps3 did not come out with 2 hdmi ports due to people complaing about it upping the price for feature that would never be used. so was 2 ethernets droped down to one 6 usb down to 4.

[mrv321]

- Loose PS2 BC ( Already lost some of it previously, you save $100 which is the price of a new PS2)
- Loose 2 HDMI ports ( You mean USB? Not that big of a problem. Buy a USB hub )
- Loose media card slots ( slight problem, the SD one was a good one )
- Touch controls ( This is a negative, I prefer click able buttons )
- Chrome stripe ( purely aesthetic, something you gain by having Matt black )

[Nike]

Any interesting articles?

[ReBurn]

I see that you're a contributor. Why not go find some yourself instead of complaining about what's been approved? If you're not up to it then remember, it takes less effort to not read what you're not interested in than it does to post about how uninterested you are.

[jay2]

Yep I would get a DG. I'd lose full backwards compatability. card reader, USB slots etc.

[dktxx2]

I have the original 60gb ps3 with full backwards compatibly. honestly, the only reason i really want to keep it is because the new ps3's just aren't as sexy as the old fat ones. lovely machines.

[webeblazing]

"Blacky is upgrading to ps3 slim a downgrade"

BLACKY: "HELL YEAH"

"Thanks Blacky. Next, can anybody be a journalist these days?"

[SuperStrokey1123]

has all the features I WANT, uses less power, runs cooler, amd makes less noise. For ME its a huge upgrade.

[Lombax]

I'm guessing the person who disagreed with you is the same one who disagreed with me.

[SuperStrokey1123]

lol i guess there are two possibilities, they disagree that it would be an upgrade for them which is totally fair as, like you pointed out, this is tailored to my preferences and needs and thats totally cool.

I also have a single follower (I could totally be wrong though) and magically everyone of my posts gets some type of negative disagree or negative bubbles tossed at it. Just another day at N4G lol no biggie

[Crusade]

My 80 gig bricked and i didn't have a ps3 for 6 months until a friend bought me a slim. It's definitely a downgrade other than the power used and how quiet it is.

[SuperStrokey1123]

how? i traded in my 80 gig for a slmi and i cant think of one thing that 80 gig does that my slim doesnt. Literally anything.

[Colonel-Killzone]

The problem is getting the yellow Light though. I'm happy with my slim though. To each is their own.

[SpaceFox]

I have an 80GB backwards compatible PS3. This week I'm selling it and buying a Slim.

Why? Because soon enough my PS3 is bound to die, and my warranty's expired. Lately this has been happing to almost all of my friends who had an original BC PS3, and they had to either pay a lot of money for repairs or just get a new one. I figure I can sell mine now while Gamestop is giving $200 for one and buy a 250GB Slim for 350, and get new warranty.

I dont care about the USB ports, I only have 2 things I frequently plug in anyways. And I dont care about backwards compatibility, I've replayed all my old PS2 games already. So it's no downgrade to me.

[OpenGL]

Obviously the 60GB is the best, but the Slim does have the ability to bitstream HD audio codecs like Dolby True HD and DTS Master Audio. It also has a much lower TDP which is an upgrade in some ways.

[Domer25]

Agreed, one of the reasons I might trade in my phatty. Have optical running to my yamaha soundbar, would love to bitstream dolby true hd on it.

[Dellis]

If you got a 40 gig/80gig(no BC) model....upgrade, slim is that again just shrinked down........

if you got a real PS3 that cost 599.99 or 499.99(60/80/20 gig)

do not get a slim, spending 150 bucks(sony) to get it fixed

or less in a local shop is better then a 299.99 SLIM.

[bunfighterii]

Who would 'upgrade' anyway? Your essentially buying the same machine in a different plastic casing.

I'm happy with my fat one. I think they look better too.

[nunley33]

I have an 80gb bc model w/4 usb's, memory card slots and i use them all the time. I've had mine since late 07 and have had no problems so no upgrade plans anytime soon, but the $200 trade-in for PS3'S are real enticing. MY PS3 THROWS ALOT OF HEAT BECAUSE IT'S A BEAST!

[Paradise Lost]

well i had the 80g with the two usb ports.
Getting my slim was not a downgrade i just dont like all the fingerprints on the fat model.

[jalen247]

Those that bought the 60 GB PS3 were the smartest. Especially if you bought it in 2007 at $500 after first price drop and before they were discontinued.

[jeremyadam]

Well I just upgraded, 30 minutes ago, from a 40gb model to a 250gb slim model with the new 40nm chipset(CECH 2101B). I consider this a full upgrade and i'm really happy about it. This article is completely subjective.

[MGRogue2017]

I consider it to be a upgrade.. 'cause I have a 250GB slim & it's really quiet, I love it so much.

My brother's 60GB PS3 does tend to get really loud especially in the summer.. like right now.

[SpaceSquirrel]

I still think the launch 60 GB Playstation 3 is the best.

[MetalFreakMike]

I traded in my 80 gig backwards compatible PS3 for a slim because the Blu-Ray drive was dying and I did not want to pay 150 to get it fixed. The slim plays all my games I brought and makes less heat. As for BC, I just play my PS2 games on my PS2 slim with component cables. So it was a upgrade for me because I got a new warrenty with a extension and a PS3 that makes less heat. To each, their own.

[-EvoAnubis-]

Jesus...where has this guy been? Did he seriously just figure this out? Welcome to two years ago.

[gamingisnotacrime]

with all the bells and whistles the Launch PS3 had, sell it for a $100 more and im buying it, i truly miss my fully loaded phatso, but YLOD is a btch

[SilverSlug]

It got YLOD and I was going to fix it (I did a re-flow for now) but after seeing my friends Slim. I decided that is the way to go.

Unlike most people here, I hardly play PS2 games on it anymore. There are just too many good PS3 games that I created a back log now.

The system runs cooler, silenter and believe it or not, the XMB runs a bit quicker.

After all is said, it comes with 1 year warranty that is upgradeable to 2 more years if you choose.

That alone is "NOT" a downgrade.

[ReBurn]

Well, considering a used BC-capable 60GB PS3 goes for $349 at Gamestop and still has a larger feature set than a new 120GB slim PS3, I'd say that trading it could be considered a downgrade if you use those additional features. But better still to sell it outright.

I use the PS2 backward compatibility on my 60GB model all the time, and using the 4 USB ports to charge various devices like iPods while I'm playing games is nice. So upgrading would be a downgrade for me. If I do get a Slim PS3 I'll probably just pack my 60GB unit back in it's box and store it away. I'd hate to let it go.

[Belasco]

As long as it plays Blu Ray and I get fantastic exclusive games, I could not care less.

[bjornbear]

any PS3 = WIN

[BussyPuster]

had an original 60 gig but got ylod. All good though cause I got it fixed and got a slim as well, so I'm set!!

[George Sears]

Pretty sure when the PS3 starts reaching the end of its lifecycle thanks to next gen competition and if production costs would be dirt cheap in that time, they could add all those extra USB ports, Memory stick ports and whatnot. They could even play it smart and add PS2 emulation on the PS3 to keep the PS4 production costs low.

That way it could give extra incentive to purchase the PS3 whilst at the same time buy software for it. With that said, Sony would xoncentrate on the PS4 while being more confident on the PS3s lifecycle.

[Tsar4ever01]

What a stupid question, Yeah, It's a DOWNGRADE if you happen to own the earlier TRUE 60/20Gb Ken Kutaragi version or the 80Gb U.S. version of the PAL version.

[Jamaicangmr]

It isn't unless you have the original 60GB PS3 with all the bells and whistles like me. If not no it's actually an upgrade. IMHO!

[labwarrior]

Xbox 360 costs 149$ and has Backward compatibility for all models

Also xbox 360 has the best RDR version by far

[insomnium]

I sold my fat for 250€ and bought a 250gb slim for 304€. I'm DLing stuff on my new slim as we speak.

My main reasons were that this new slim runs quieter and generates less heat. Also the warranty had run out and I didn't feel like paying 260€ for a new refurb fat any time soon. The summer here has been HOT and it keeps on getting hotter.

My fat already started shutting itself off during gaming when it's this hot. I'm not sure I think that was a problem with MY fat PS3 but since the thing was 1 month out of warranty I took the safe route and sold it. Last time the thing was 2 months out of warranty and I had to fork out 260€ for it.

I do miss the card readers but I do have a slim PS2 right next to my PS3 so the B/C is not a problem. I'm replaying Suikoden 2 on it as we speak :) (I could do this on my slim PS3 too though)

All in all I felt it was necessary for me to get a slim. I got it and I love it. I really would hate to have my fat PS3 broken during this hot season. With slim I don't think the heat will be a problem.

[tigertron]

Whilst I wish my slim had the features of my old 60GB, I'm glad I have the slim because its much quieter than my old phat 60GB.

[vampstreak]

I believe so, yes. I had a launch ps3 with all the goods but it ylod on me so i just got a slim and it is indeed a downgrade, except for my hdd

[0oAngeluso0]

They had to take out features to make it more affordable and then they can make even more money by releasing PS2 games in a new package as PS3 games in the process.
It's all a money making thing. All the companies are out to milk every last dollar, so of course in this day and age you pay more for less.

[jneul]

It was not a downgrade for me, backwards compatibility was never an issue for me as I still have my ps2, so I now have a quieter more reliable ps3, which I like more to be honest, plus there are the PS2 HD collections now which you basically get upgraded ps2 games playable on your ps3

[nevin1]

Is a Downgrade. BC>>>>>> ReMaster

[John Kratos]

I just like my 60 gig and 80 gig ps3s because they look so nice. I've never had heating issues with them either. And they're still quite also.

[s45gr32]

The slim is a downgrade end of story.

[clarkdef]

The slim uses a lot less power and runs at a higher clock speed because of the 45/40nm chip and soon to be 32nm chipset. The launch FAT has a 65/60nm chipset, but it does have 4 usbs and b/c. An upgrade to some a downgrade to others I guess.