Sony PS3 Slim Review

£250Sep 2009

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Stuff says

The price is right, and so is the size, hard drive and Blu-ray playback. Time for late adopters to buy a PS3

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Stuff magazine Wed, Sep 9 2009, 5:00AM

The Sony PS3 Slim is the liposuctioned reboot of its multimedia powerhouse console, here to see off its rival – Microsoft’s Xbox 360.

It’s around 33 per cent smaller, lighter and more power efficient than its predecessor. But Sony hasn't stripped out any important stuff – the PS3 Slim is pretty much the same machine, with a bigger hard drive, at a better price.

Minor upgrade
If you already own a Sony PS3, that does mean there's little reason to pony up for the new model – unless the sheer size of your old PS3 is driving you to distraction, or you've run out of space on your hard drive (they used to range from a mere 20GB).

Even then, you'd be smarter simply upgrading the drive in your existing machine. But for those yet to buy a Sony PS3, now's the time.

Plastic surgery
The Sony PS3 Slim is beautiful: slightly more plasticky than the old PS3s, but so much more compact. In squeezing the kit down, there's been two significant losses: you can't run Linux on it any more and CD audio playback is very slightly worse.

Unless you're a geek, the former won't matter; unless you're an audiophile (who wouldn't play CDs on a PS3 anyway) the latter won't be too noticeable either.

No backwards compatibility
Backwards compatibility with PS2 games is also missing, but has been since early Sony PS3 models anyway.

Discounting minor subtractions, you get one bonus (if you're a home cinema nut): the Sony PS3 Slim now throughputs flashy formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD direct to your home cinema amp via HDMI.

Blu-ray bonanza
One of the Sony PS3's major strengths remains in home cinema. Blu-ray high-def movie discs are the biggest single advantage the PS3 Slim has over the Microsoft Xbox 360. 1080p Full HD movies look jaw-droppingly good and sound teeth-crunchingly great too.

There's lots of other multimedia power carried over from the old Sony PS3 too: RSS feeds, Home (the Second Life-a-like PS3 virtual online space), web browsing and BBC iPlayer compatibility, for example. And, of course, links to other Sony gaming hardware, such as the PSP and HD Eye.

These all-round capabilities go a long way from covering up the Sony PS3's one remaining weak spot: the games. Simply put, Microsoft's Xbox 360 still trounces the Sony PS3 in terms of gaming online and single-player – with more key exclusives, for now.

That's not to say the Sony PS3 Slim is a gaming slouch. It's not, and it's good to see it now comes with a rumbling DualShock 3 controller as standard. But for pure hardcore games action, the Microsoft Xbox 360 remains ahead.

For multimedia power in a small package though, the Sony PS3 Slim can't be beat.

The Alternatives

Comments

Jessica81

4 days ago

We sold our PS3 to a young woman who had cancer and she spends all her time playing.

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1 week ago

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Jessica81

2 weeks ago

Our son, Mittelschmerz, just got a new PS3 and he really loves it. It keeps him occupied.

MikeHenry

3 weeks ago

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

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Jessica81

3 weeks ago

Have you been to storage auctions before? You can find many ps3's in these units.

Jessica81

3 weeks ago

My friend has lymes disease and he cannot hold the controller in his hand.

l.hauri

4 weeks ago

it is the state of the art in this domain. I am sure that they will upgrade it in the near future! yacht charter Croatia

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serenamarcs

10 weeks ago

I'm thrilled with the PS3. I'm looking forward to getting my music and other media files loaded onto it and finally beginning the world of blu-ray movies and advanced gaming. While I do wish I could load files to it from a device formatted to something other than FAT, it's certainly not a deal-breaker. The PS3 works as it should, set-up is simple, has free online, great exclusive games, and so much more. Whether or not it's the right choice for you is up for you to decide. The Xbox is also a great system, but I'm happy with my final decision. christmas toys 2011

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11 weeks ago

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vickychao

14 weeks ago

A brand new Play Station 3 will be bought by the console game players. The promotion has been done from a several week ago. They will curious about this console game. content unlocking

jasonhowie

15 weeks ago

I denne region, som forståelsen af væsentlige forretningsmæssige det også indeholder den forstand, især på det økonomiske område. Hvem har den viden, skal han have magt over virksomheden.
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petermarco

17 weeks ago

I hope I can have this gadget someday. Feeling want to buy this one right away, but shame I don't have the money.
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terryxion

18 weeks ago

Actually I really preferred the computing device. Regardless that, I used to be no longer very preferred to play games. But, routinely I play too. outdoor lounge

JeffryJordan

18 weeks ago

After creating the new type, they also make out the new shape of PS3. It's so slim and easy to be taken.
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keithwhite

18 weeks ago

As a large brand, they always keep inventing they new style of their stuff. It makes gamers will always buy their products.
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erickpurple

24 weeks ago

Connect with alumni quite pleasant in my opinion. Firstly in terms of the social. At least we can add friends. Second. In terms of experience. At least we can learn something from them. arc flash

edie rafaiel

25 weeks ago

I want it

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26 weeks ago

In my eyes, education is like a mirror that will tell us what the actual state of our true self. discount memory foam mattress

impulsefootball

36 weeks ago

The Ps3 is great because it offer gaming and blu-ray player.

impulsefootball

36 weeks ago

The Ps3 is great because it offer gaming and blu-ray player.

can't afford it

36 weeks ago

i purchased £25 PSN card to buy wipeout fury. the next day PSN goes down because of hackers. Sony bring it back on-line and offer some games to say sorry and in the list is......wipeout fury. if i'd waited one day i could have had it free. arse !

meggymay

37 weeks ago

another game unit i did not have time to play on, i have had the x box wii and this, all in the hope of getting that addictive game feeling back. but they all just gathered dust so sold them,I play more on angry birds rio on my android tablet.

molly57

38 weeks ago

Had one as a prize and sold it. Should have kept it.

moorey

39 weeks ago

i'm an addict!

pootsf

39 weeks ago

I probably should have got this instead of the Wii

aharris19

39 weeks ago

Love it

geko480

48 weeks ago

most expensive paper weight i have bought so far, sony after sales, what a joke when you are just out of warranty,they just want to exchane it for a second hand model for £150. seriously thinking of going to the other side.

lovellj102

49 weeks ago

I use my PS3 daily but not for the games, I use it for blueray, music streaming and all the on demand services inc Lovefilm. its way more than just a games console but it does do that very well too!! shame Sony didnt come up with the Kinect first as it would then be perfect!

johnandsusan13

49 weeks ago

It's the Blu-ray that does it for me

andy01

49 weeks ago

I had one but i prefer the xbox

diddlysquit

2 years ago

Lighter, slimmer, sleaker but above all quieter.

A console you can use to watch blu-ray without the whirring noise spoiling your viewing.

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freegift4all

2 years ago

I think it looks better than the old ps3, its less weight and not as bulky plus a bigger hard drive so overall much better will definately be getting one in the new year!

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Crazy Kid

2 years ago

What can I say? It is ugly.

freebieconsoles

2 years ago

The PS3 offers such good value now. Blu ray and Wireless built in makes the Xbox 360 much less appealing. £50 for a 360 wi-fi adaptor! No thank you. Sony have a good first party lineup this winter/spring as well. Can't wait to get mine. If I was buying again now I would choose the PS3 over the 360, though I have been more than happy with the 360.

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