PlayStation Lounge

[hayn_girl]

What is the difference? Is it worth buying the PS3 160GB or waitiing for the 250GB?

[CaseyTheVA]

Original PS3 (60GB model) lets you play PS2 games via hardware emulation, as well as have four USB slots and the memory stick panels in the flap. There's also Linux support. None of that in the slim, unfortunately.

From http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10313110-1.html :

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.

Personally, I'd go for the original PS3 since theres just more features for your mony, and the console just looks a bit sleeker. But that's just my personal opinion

Message Edited by CaseyTheVA on 11-03-2009 07:42 AM

[Hawkfan267]

I'm not completly suprised to see this question again. Since I have both, I did a thread early last month telling people what the differeances were, but as usual it got lost.

Here's a re-post:

Major differance: Size: PS3 slim is, well slimmer. And smaller. It's shorter in front but longer in the back. Meaning you have more shelve space for it.

Other differances:

• The finishing of the case isn't as glossy. Therefore, no more smudges.
• Obviously the PS3 logo on top was changed. But anyone that updated to firmware 3.0 even on their standard PS3 knew that. 
• Only 2 USB ports as oppossed to 4 in my launch PS3. Less USB ports only mean less accessories to attach. So, it depends on how many you have to attach.
• No memory card slot  for the PSP or USB camera memory sticks. So, if you want to connect your PSP mem stick to the PS3, you'll have to do it via the USB port and the PSP's USB connection.
• No power switch in back. Like with the PS2 slim, there is not a power switch. So, the system stays on standby mode until you turn it on and switches back when you turn it off.
• Runs quieter than the PS3 standard. PS3 slim uses less engergy and generally runs quieter than the standard PS3. It also seems not to run as hot.
• The quality of the Blu-ray player maybe less in the PS3 slim. I say that because of the sound it makes while loading in a game disc. It sounds rough and it makes me wonder how sturdy the blu-ray drive is. This can only be answered in time, though.
• Front buttons are no longer touch-sensitive. They are actual buttons.

What's the same:

• There's still no Backwards compatibility. Nor any plans by Sony to include it right now. But, that's less of an issue now IMO, because most standard PS3's now don't have BC. Besides with new PS3 releases like Uncharted 2, I think BC is less used even by those that have it (like me)
• PS3 slim still has built in WIFI and Blu-ray/DVD playback. PSN is still free and it can play all your PS3 games and blu-ray movies. That's obvious information, but it bares repeating for those that still may not know.
• The HDD can still be upgraded. It comes with a 120gb HDD (with only about 90gb's of space free in actuality), but the HDD can be upgraded just like the PS3 standard. However, the PS3 slim's HDD design is a bit different, therefore older notebook serial ata HDD's may not work. So, just be aware of that.

That's pretty much it.

So my Reccomendation?

I can honestly reccomend this to new PS3 owners or people that have been waiting to get a PS3. The PS3 slim is a perfect first system and $299 is an excellant price to pay for it. I can also reccomend the PS3 slim for anyone that wants a back-up PS3. Or for people that have a family PS3, but would like a personal PS3 that they can play in another room of their home or at work (assuming your allowed to).

Now, the 250gb system will be out this week. If you need the extra HDD space then go for it. But keep in mind that you can also buy larger capacity notebook HDD's and install them yourself. So you can get the new 250GB PS3 slim, but you can also buy a regular PS3 slim and upgrade the HDD to at least 500gb. As a 1st time PS3 buyer, it's your choice.

[RyJ32]

You cannot install another OS

[hayn_girl]

well thanks for that. When this week does the PS3 250GB come out?

[CaseyTheVA]

Oh wow, Hawkfan267 is still around... I remember talking to you during the THUG 1 days Glad to see you're sticking here.

Hawkfan made some good points... if you really son't mind not having backwards compatibility, and not being able to install a version of the Linux operating system, then the slimline model might be best for you. Let us know what you do!

[king4eternity]

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CaseyTheVA wrote:

Oh wow, Hawkfan267 is still around... I remember talking to you during the THUG 1 days Glad to see you're sticking here.

Hawkfan made some good points... if you really son't mind not having backwards compatibility, and not being able to install a version of the Linux operating system, then the slimline model might be best for you. Let us know what you do!

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Lol, THUG 1 days.

[hayn_girl]

Ok. I guess.