I have recently sold my 60GB PS3 'Phat' and replaced it with a 250GB Slim model and so far I couldn't be happier with it.
~~~ Games ~~~
For 99% of people this will be the key area that the console has to perform in - and it does. I've played a wide variety of games on it since I bought ... Read review
The package includes: New PlayStation 3 Slim console, 120GB version SIXAXIS Bluetooth ... more
controller Power cable AV cable USB cable (USB ports: 2) User manual The new streamlined PlayStation 3 Slim is 32% smaller than the original and consumes 34% less pow...
Postage & Packaging: Free Availability: Stock On Order
Earn 498 Nectar points with this purchase. Those who missed the phenomenal success of ... more
Sony's PlayStation 3 the first time round have not only another chance to get on board, but even to get one up on their mates - by nabbing this slimline model that va...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: Out of stock
I have recently sold my 60GB PS3 'Phat' and replaced it with a 250GB Slim model and so far I couldn't be happier with it.
== ~~~ Games ~~~ ==
For 99% of people this will be the key area that the console has to perform in - and it does. I've played a wide variety of games on it since I bought it including FIFA, Call of Duty, Assassins Creed 2 and various demos. All of these play very smoothly and the graphics are of ... ...can see no difference between the performance of the original 'Phat' models and the 'Slim' model.
== ~~~ Blu-Ray Player ~~~ ==
So far the only Blu-Ray movie I have watched on the 'Slim' is Transformers 2. I have watched parts of it on both a stand-alone Blu-Ray player and on the original PS3 and again I can see no difference.
The picture quality is very bright and crisp, with a very clear improvement ... more
I have recently sold my 60GB PS3 'Phat' and replaced it with a 250GB Slim model and so far I couldn't be happier with it.
~~~ Games ~~~
For 99% of people this will be the key area that the console has to perform in - and it does. I've played a wide variety of games on it since I bought it including FIFA, Call of Duty, Assassins Creed 2 and various demos. All of these play very smoothly and the graphics are of a very good high-definition quality.
I can see no difference between the performance of the original 'Phat' models and the 'Slim' model.
~~~ Blu-Ray Player ~~~
So far the only Blu-Ray movie I have watched on the 'Slim' is Transformers 2. I have watched parts of it on both a stand-alone Blu-Ray player and on the original PS3 and again I can see no difference.
The picture quality is very bright and crisp, with a very clear improvement on normal DVDs. However, I think that the picture quality you get from Sky HD is better than you get from Blu-Ray movies, I just feel you get more detail in the picture.
~~~ DVD Player ~~~
I don't use my PS3 as a DVD player, but I have tested it out to see how it compares to a stand-alone player and I would have to say the DVD up scaling that the PS3 performs definitely works. The picture is clearly better through the PS3.
~~~ CD Player ~~~
Again, I don't use it for this function, but have tried it out anyway. I generally can't tell the difference between anything playing music and this is no exception. Good quality CD player that I can have no complaints about.
~~~ Features ~~~
The PS3 also has numerous other features, which include:
Wireless Connectivity - built-in wireless allows you to immediately access the internet without the use of cables or needing to buy a wireless adapter. No complaints here. It's a very rare occasion when the connection drops out, usually due to bad weather conditions.
Bluetooth Connectivity - this is also built in and allows you to connect various accessories. I use it for my headset and it works clearly without interruption.
HDD Upgradeable - the PS3 has been made so it is very easy to increase the size of storage space. I have upgraded mine from a 250GB to a 320GB and it was all very easy. Remove some screws, swap the HDD and with the 'Slim' you have to download an update onto the HDD, but this is easy aswell.
Photo Album - you can store all you photos on the PS3 and arrange and do basic editing whichever way you want. I've never actually put any photos into it, so I can't say much more.
Media Server - easy connection to your PC or laptop, allowing you to share your media files such as photos, music and video to your PS3. All you need to do is download a media player application (Vuze/TVersity,WMP) to your computer and away you go.
Internet Browser - you can also surf the internet via your PS3. It is used in the same way as you would do on a PC, but it is a little more awkward. Pages take a little longer to load than usual, but all in all it gets the job done if you can't get to a PC. You can also use YouTube and various other similar sites.
BBC iPlayer - access to iPlayer from the main menu is quite handy and I regularly use this. Picture quality is good, but not quite TV standard.
~~~ Appearance ~~~
At first I wasn't sure about getting a 'Slim' because I didn't think it looked as good as the original. Eventually I opted for the 'Slim' because if I was going to be buying something brand-new then I didn't want the exact same thing I just got rid of.
I'm very happy that I did buy the 'Slim'. The pictures on the internet or in catalogues don't do it justice. It is much better looking in the flesh. The new smaller size makes it look very sleek and I now think the 'Slim' looks better than the 'Phat'.
The new matte finish doesn't show dust as much and the lighting around the new physical buttons, makes it all look very casual and impressive.
~~~ Power / Noise ~~~
I have no way of proving myself if it uses 1/3 less power than the original, but I can say it is quieter.
The old model (60GB) could be heard without listening for it and if it weren't hoovered regularly then it would sound like a hairdryer after a while. The Slim's fans can only be heard if you're listening for them and overall is clearly quieter.
The back of the console does get quite warm though.
~~~ Menu Navigation ~~~
The PS3 uses an XMB (Cross Media Bar) menu system. All the main categories are run horizontally and the various sub-menus are the vertical to that. I might be making it sound a little complicated, but it isn't.
It's all very easy to use and find what you want. Everything is well labelled and common sense will generally lead you to what you want.
~~~ PlayStation Network ~~~
One of the PS3 big pulling points is that it allows free online gaming. It also provides you with access to all your friends with PS3's so you can have voice chat, text chat and send private messages to them.
You can also access the PS Store. With this you get access to free demos and other downloadable content which you have to pay for, such as map packs and costumes for characters. You can also buy games from the store; these vary in price from £2.50 for small mini-games to £19.99 for games you can buy on the high street such as Gran Turismo Prologue. It also has a video store where you can either rent or buy movies (in SD or HD).
On top of that you can also access PS HOME. This is a virtual world where you can design your won flat and customize your character. It costs money to buy almost everything, but you don't have to pay to access the virtual world itself. In HOME you can play friends at various games such as chess, checkers, bowling and pool.
The final aspect of the PSN is the 'Life with PlayStation' feature. This allows you to contribute the power of your PS3 to help understand diseases. You can just leave your PS3 to get on with breaking down molecules or you can browse world news stories.
~~~ Game Exclusives ~~~
Another important aspect when choosing which console to buy are the exclusive games you can get for it. The PS3 has a number of big-name exclusives, which include:
Metal Gear Solid Uncharted Gran Turismo Little Big Planet
== ~~~ Overall ~~~ ==
For me this is the best console you can get. Its main competitor is the Xbox 360, but I'm firmly in team PlayStation. It has so many uses and you won't regret buying it if you choose to do so. Worth every penny.
Advantages: Blu-ray, free online, nice extras like vidzone & iplayer. Almost silent operation Disadvantages: Rubbish controller, still expensive, online nowhere near as good as xbox live
...into Bill Gates' pocket. Maybe Sony are just spreading their budget for on-line too thinly in order to be the machine that offers everything but not quite managing to! Reliability-this one will have to go to the playstation, every console I've owned still works(Mega-Drive, Sega Saturn, Dreamcast{It's still a fantastic system}, Xbox, Wii, Xbox360 & now the PS3), ( Altho the dreamcast did need a very minor repair which I did myself after watching how ... ...same extent, lets face it Sony tend to over engineer their tech & I can only assume that they have improved on the original when they built the slim(Not under the same rush to get a system to the marketplace). One other thing, the system is almost completely silent, not something the gaming world has been familiar with in recent years!! :) Personally, if I was in a burning building & could only rescue one of my consoles, it would need to be the 360 ...
andyamn 27.10.2009
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Sony PlayStation 3 Slim (PS3)
Advantages: good graphics, easy to use, cheaper then original Disadvantages: can be slow on occasions, some games freeze on occasions
After buying the slimline PS3 shortly after its launch I have found it to be very good value for money as graphics are excellent especially when connected using the HDMI cable. This is an accessory that i needed to buy along with a bluetooth headset which has now broken through no fault of my own. In terms of the console though it is slightly smaller then the original and is significantly quieter. Its online gaming is very good and easy to use with ... ...not had many problems with it but on occasions some games have failed to work properly and have frozen but have then worked at a later time. Apart from this the console has been working fine therefore i have had no need for manufacture assisstance but with my 2 year warranty i am not worried about this. I feel that this product is excellent value for money as it is cheaper then the original but games and accessories to cost a fair amount. ...
andyl1990 09.02.2010
· Read full review
Review of Sony PlayStation 3 Slim (PS3)
Advantages: more practical and efficient Disadvantages: untested durability
...that IBM has collaborated with Sony and Toshiba. Processors that will be immersed in the PS3 Slim has a 45nm fabrication production is less than the PS3 is still using 65nm. Unfortunately, from the IBM and Sony are still reluctant to disclose how much speed to be carried by the dual core processors with this. With the microchip fabrication of these smaller, the user is expected to benefit both in the performance and energy efficiency If the PS3 Slim ...
EkaPw 10.02.2010
· Read full review
Review of Sony PlayStation 3 Slim (PS3)
Advantages: Amazing games console and entertainment system - much lighter and versatile than the original PS3 Disadvantages: Still slightly more expensive than the Xbox 360. For a non-biased comparison click on my name.
...sceptical when I heard that Sony were releasing a slimline PS3 and my first though was - what features will they get rid of? Well the answer is: not much. In fact, if our relatively new to the PS3 field as a whole, virtually nothing from the3rd generation PS3 is lost in this 4th generation slimline. The 2 USB ports are still there, as well as the wifi and a fairly large harddrive (even 120 GB is large let alone 250GB). Now for the appearance. Sony ... ...the change in size (as sony said it would be) and as a player of both the old larger model and this smaller slimline model, the only new differences are good ones.With the decrease in size also comes a decrease in price. One can now buy a 120 GB PS3 with one game for just £270. Although the xbox 360 is just cheaper, I do genuinely believe having played on both consoles that the PS3 is the one to go for (read my review of the original PS3 or click ...
toajope 07.02.2010
· Read full review
Review of Sony PlayStation 3 Slim (PS3)