Did you hear about the PS3 Slim that fell off the back of the assembly line in Taiwan? Well, actually, the box took the fall, and then the console worked its way free of its cardboard confines, limped out the backdoor unseen, swam a short 700 miles or so south to the Philippines, toweled off, enjoyed a few bottles of lambanog, and promptly passed out under the stall of a electronics vendor. Phew! Guess it was the peddler's lucky day, eh? Unfortunately, our salesman was unable to hustle this miraculous merchandise into the hands of a wary shopper; who did, however, walk away with a brilliantly befuddled cell phone video of the rarity (posted after the break).
Of course, there's an alternate version of the story, too, as an alleged translation of the vendor's pitch puts it: "You won't see this [PS3 Slim] elsewhere because it's still new -- we just got it in. It's not yet available in other countries." The end.
We asked Sony to take a look, and according to a representative, it was the first time she'd seen the video, and then, predictably, she issued the standard company line: "We don't comment on rumor and speculation." So, it's your call. But let us at least advise you against booking a ticket to the Philippines and heading straight for the black market. For anything.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Reader Comments (123)
Posted: Jul 13th 2009 6:36PM (Unverified) said
Jakka,
Actually, a slim model would make perfect sense from a manufacturing stand point. If Sony's able to introduce a model that requires fewer components (there was a 50% reduction in maindboard components between the 60 GB and first 80 GB SKU alone), a smaller case (for what's in them, there's no real justification in keeping the "old" design for the current SKUs as there's too much wasted space), and they're able to move both CELL and the RSX to a smaller manufacturing process (the 45 nm node is, at this point in time, mature enough to warrant the move from 65 nm), why shouldn't they introduce a slim model? They'll be breaking even at worst and, from a manufacturing stand point once more, that's still an improvement over what they have in the current SKUs (which still cost slightly more to make than what they retail for).
The only major hardware differences I could see between the current PS3 SKUs and the future slim editions would be externalizing the PSU as a brick ala PS2 slim and a slightly smaller or lower profile case fan (as the PSU will no longer be bleeding a fair amount of heat in the case). From the production stills we've seen, they still seem to have the same number of USB ports, the same connectivity options, and (most likely) are still using non-proprietary 2.5" HDDs.
Actually, a slim model would make perfect sense from a manufacturing stand point. If Sony's able to introduce a model that requires fewer components (there was a 50% reduction in maindboard components between the 60 GB and first 80 GB SKU alone), a smaller case (for what's in them, there's no real justification in keeping the "old" design for the current SKUs as there's too much wasted space), and they're able to move both CELL and the RSX to a smaller manufacturing process (the 45 nm node is, at this point in time, mature enough to warrant the move from 65 nm), why shouldn't they introduce a slim model? They'll be breaking even at worst and, from a manufacturing stand point once more, that's still an improvement over what they have in the current SKUs (which still cost slightly more to make than what they retail for).
The only major hardware differences I could see between the current PS3 SKUs and the future slim editions would be externalizing the PSU as a brick ala PS2 slim and a slightly smaller or lower profile case fan (as the PSU will no longer be bleeding a fair amount of heat in the case). From the production stills we've seen, they still seem to have the same number of USB ports, the same connectivity options, and (most likely) are still using non-proprietary 2.5" HDDs.
Posted: Jul 13th 2009 6:31PM abelpc said
Plug it into a TV and show us an actual working unit and we MIGHT believe.. LOL
This thing probably just plays PS2 games.. or some cheap knock off games that are probably PS1 quality...
Show us working hardware!
This thing probably just plays PS2 games.. or some cheap knock off games that are probably PS1 quality...
Show us working hardware!
Posted: Jul 13th 2009 6:34PM (Unverified) said
totally not a ps3. Philippines is notoriously known to have products like this. I remember on vacation I went to the 'bootleg mall' where I can get designer clothes, and electronics at way cheaper than retail. because they were knockoffs.
Posted: Jul 13th 2009 6:51PM Vegnagun said
The slim is obviously real. Sony just can't keep secrets. Case and point: PSP Go.
Posted: Jul 14th 2009 4:04PM EDay said
So the fact that they "appeared" in the Philippines first doesn't seem suspicious to you? On the black market, no less?
Don't believe everything you see, especially on the internet. If these are actual consoles, I am almost certain that they are counterfeits, since that region of Asia is well known for counterfeit good.
Reply
Don't believe everything you see, especially on the internet. If these are actual consoles, I am almost certain that they are counterfeits, since that region of Asia is well known for counterfeit good.
Posted: Jul 13th 2009 7:06PM Voe Guy said
It might just be a clever fake. Kind of like the Pop Station Portable that surfaced around psp launch lol. They were hilarious that i almost bought one lol.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvXleDSkB-g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvXleDSkB-g
Posted: Jul 13th 2009 7:22PM Twinturbo120 said
It looks like it weighs nothing. It's not even shiny. My guess = fake.
Posted: Jul 13th 2009 7:43PM Spunky Monkey 190906 said
While its fakeness looks apparent in some cases, Sony sure is going out of its way to hush people about it, nor have they downright stated there is no such thing as a PSPSlim to squash rumours and speculation, just like they didn't for PSPgo, so I'm going to remain in the middle.
Posted: Jul 13th 2009 8:05PM lookhappy said
This is funny - it's like they've just discovered a some supernatural phenomena and we all have to watch the blurry video and guess whether it's real.
I'm indifferent about a slim ps3. Though I would like more of friends to have one, so if it leads to a price cut then that's good.
I'm indifferent about a slim ps3. Though I would like more of friends to have one, so if it leads to a price cut then that's good.
Posted: Jul 13th 2009 8:16PM Voshempa said
People complain about how crappy the quality/workmanship of the vid is, yet they say that the console in question looks stupid...
Posted: Jul 13th 2009 9:00PM (Unverified) said
Smells like a Sony viral marketing attempt to me.
Posted: Jul 13th 2009 10:00PM Konknok said
This is a mystery Sony doesn't seem anxious to help solve.
Posted: Jul 13th 2009 9:59PM Jack Tretton said
Question: Why design and build a slim PS3 when the full-sized machine isn't yet making money? I can understand if Sony's found a way to cut costs, buy or manufacture cheaper parts -- especially the Blu-ray drive -- et cetera, but why introduce that in a different-looking console?
Posted: Jul 13th 2009 10:32PM TakeCTRL said
i would like it more if it were a gloss finish.
Posted: Jul 13th 2009 11:34PM Angry Frank said
I live in the Philippines.
Guess I don't need to save up for anything other than the Slim. (:
Guess I don't need to save up for anything other than the Slim. (:
Posted: Jul 14th 2009 12:01AM (Unverified) said
Where is this supposed to be? I'm in Manila now for a few weeks....
Posted: Jul 14th 2009 12:04AM (Unverified) said
It looks rather compelling. Sure, there are lots of knock-offs in the Philippines, but this particular item appears to be too well made to be one. And, to be fair, most (if not all) of the knock-offs that you can find here aren't made in the Philippines.
Posted: Jul 14th 2009 8:28AM (Unverified) said
Yep, I agree as well. Guess we could find out for ourselves.
Reply
Posted: Jul 14th 2009 3:33AM Vhayste said
The place looks like any typical electronics store inside a cheap mall. The only problem is that if this is another Taiwanese or Chinese imitation, like the $50 PSP imitation that can play ISOs.
So far, I can't really tell. Well, I'll just check it out and confirm it myself. We got plenty of "underground" locations in Manila alone.
So far, I can't really tell. Well, I'll just check it out and confirm it myself. We got plenty of "underground" locations in Manila alone.
Posted: Jul 14th 2009 8:26AM (Unverified) said
Wow! I just can't believe that the Philippines would have this when we don't even have our Playstation store. I'm from the Philippines by the way. I'll ask around here. If I find one I'll be sure to video it cuz I definitely won't believe it.
Posted: Jul 14th 2009 9:45AM captplut9465 said
Stop. Moving. The. Camera!
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