Shortly after the PS3 Slim was announced at GamesCom, Sony arrived at our doorstep ... with a PS3 Slim. (It was one of the most surreal incidents we can recall from our years of writing about games.)
Even though it won't hit retail shelves in the US until the first week of September, we've had the uncommon opportunity to open the box and offer our first impressions of the svelte console on the day of its announcement. We've documented the unboxing in the photo gallery below, along with a variety of pictures showing the PS3 Slim compared to other consoles, so you can get a better idea of its size (or, compared to the original PS3, its lack thereof).
Our initial impressions: It's definitely smaller, but not shockingly so. (Want shocking? Check out the PS2 "slim" on top of it.) It's still a hefty system that feels well made, and even though it lacks the gloss black and chrome finish of the original PS3, it's a lot nicer looking in person that the initial photos might have led you to believe. There's still a bit of pizazz in the form of a thin piece of glossy translucent plastic covering the eject / power button "panel" that looks extra classy.
Overall, it's about as pared down as we can imagine the platform getting feature-wise; we're curious to see if Sony introduces yet another, considerably smaller redesign a couple of years down the road. Oh, and maybe it will actually come with an HDMI or some component cables ... and not the Slim's composite A/V leads. Seriously, Sony? Seriously?
We'll have our video of the unboxing up soon. In the meantime, let us know in comments if there's anything particular you'd like us to go into more detail on; we'll be compiling the answers to your questions about the hardware for an upcoming post.
Reader Comments (164)
Posted: Aug 19th 2009 3:53AM DeepFriedSushi said
k, joystiq you know the drill, joyswag giveaway dudes.
Reply
Posted: Aug 19th 2009 4:28AM Indefinite Implosion said
I'm pretty sure (can't find where I originally read it) that it is 'com' because that's how you start the spelling of convention in German.
or something along those lines...
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or something along those lines...
Posted: Aug 19th 2009 10:43AM (Unverified) said
Why would anyone buy an 80GB PS3 for $299 when he/she can wait 2 weeks and get a 120GB PS3 Slim for the same price?
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Posted: Aug 19th 2009 10:42AM (Unverified) said
Why would anyone buy an 80GB PS3 for $299 when he/she can wait 2 weeks and get a 120GB PS3 Slim for the same price?
Reply
Posted: Aug 19th 2009 1:34AM (Unverified) said
I've seen that this is supposed to have BRAVIA Sync, can anyone confirm this? As an owner of a Bravia, this would be even more of a reason to updrade.
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Posted: Aug 19th 2009 2:51AM DrChristopher said
this may be a feature for all PS3s once firmware 3.0 rolls out
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Posted: Aug 19th 2009 10:15AM (Unverified) said
Hopefully that's part of firmware 3.0. Just upgraded my Hard Drive on the 60GB, don't want to go out and buy a new one and lose the backwards compatibility lol
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Posted: Aug 22nd 2009 3:56AM (Unverified) said
Bravia sync is just not useful as it says WE can navigate xmb with bravia's remote .. WTF is dis , wen we hv our dualshock with wich we feel comfortable to navigate & 1 more thing is dere , WEn we will switch off our bravia ... Ps3 will switch off automatically... Many ppl including me switch off deir tv's & leave deir ps3's on for updating or downloading... DIS BRAVIA SYNC IS JUST TO PROMOTE DEIR LCD's NOTHIN ELSE..
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Posted: Aug 19th 2009 2:11AM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
"I'll be going to sleep now"
Trolls sleep?
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Trolls sleep?
Posted: Aug 19th 2009 3:48AM DomoBraden said
Old? Perhaps. Eclectic? Definitely. Justified? Absolutely.
I'm going to point out one observation, however off-topic it may be, that I've made after looking through the gallery:
Say what you will about the Dreamcast, but even after all these years, it is still somehow the most aesthetically pleasing console. I don't feel that I'm alone in this thought, (and in no way am I some sort of stubbornly steadfast Sega fanboy; I never even had the opportunity to own a Dreamcast), but if so, please speak up.
Seeing it in this context just happened to bring this to the forefront of mind. My apologies for the random tangent.
Reply
I'm going to point out one observation, however off-topic it may be, that I've made after looking through the gallery:
Say what you will about the Dreamcast, but even after all these years, it is still somehow the most aesthetically pleasing console. I don't feel that I'm alone in this thought, (and in no way am I some sort of stubbornly steadfast Sega fanboy; I never even had the opportunity to own a Dreamcast), but if so, please speak up.
Seeing it in this context just happened to bring this to the forefront of mind. My apologies for the random tangent.
Posted: Aug 19th 2009 1:38AM (Unverified) said
I'd like to see more of the HDD slot, how large it is and if any laptop HDD still work with it or if Sony decided to spring for exclusive HDDs like Microsoft. (sorry if it's a noob question, I saw the pics just now).
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Posted: Aug 19th 2009 10:41AM moshin said
guys get over it already???
If they packed HDMI and you only had component on your 1080i
You'd be bitching
If they packed Component and you only had hdmi on your 1080p
you'd be bitching
if they packed either component/hdmi and you're one of the many people (for some reason) that are hd gaming on old crappy Televisions
You'd really be bitching
I think they did the right thing. Gave you the most basic of cables to ENSURE you CAN play it out of the box
go buy your own damn cables, I got my HDMI 1.3a's for $6, in 2006
Seriously people? Seriously???
Reply
If they packed HDMI and you only had component on your 1080i
You'd be bitching
If they packed Component and you only had hdmi on your 1080p
you'd be bitching
if they packed either component/hdmi and you're one of the many people (for some reason) that are hd gaming on old crappy Televisions
You'd really be bitching
I think they did the right thing. Gave you the most basic of cables to ENSURE you CAN play it out of the box
go buy your own damn cables, I got my HDMI 1.3a's for $6, in 2006
Seriously people? Seriously???
Posted: Aug 19th 2009 1:39AM Goaliegeek said
"Oh, and maybe it will actually come with an HDMI or some component cables ... and not the Slim's composite A/V leads. Seriously, Sony? Seriously?"
Hey, 360 Pro aint commin with them. If you can't beat them, join em.
but no ethernet cord with the slim. Not a big deal because 1. wifi. and 2. how many people have extra ethernet cords around? I've got atleast 5. Don't even use my original ethernet PS3 cord. was too short.
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Hey, 360 Pro aint commin with them. If you can't beat them, join em.
but no ethernet cord with the slim. Not a big deal because 1. wifi. and 2. how many people have extra ethernet cords around? I've got atleast 5. Don't even use my original ethernet PS3 cord. was too short.
Posted: Aug 19th 2009 2:58AM Master Spice said
Hope I'm not wrong, but I'm pretty sure the Xbox Pro comes with Component cables... they're plugged into my HD TV right now. Also coming from a complete Xbox Fanboy I actually think this thing is kind of nifty. Might actually buy one now. It's not the prettiest little thing to look at, but it all comes down to gaming right?
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Posted: Aug 19th 2009 3:38AM StrikeMan said
"Hey, 360 Pro aint commin with them. If you can't beat them, join em."
Since Day 1, the 360 Pro has come with both composite and component cables.
However, it appears that Microsoft is actually following in Sony's footsteps, and dropping the component cable from the Elite (which is replacing the Pro sometime in the near future).
Seriously, both Microsoft AND Sony, seriously?
Reply
Since Day 1, the 360 Pro has come with both composite and component cables.
However, it appears that Microsoft is actually following in Sony's footsteps, and dropping the component cable from the Elite (which is replacing the Pro sometime in the near future).
Seriously, both Microsoft AND Sony, seriously?
Posted: Aug 19th 2009 4:13AM hey buddy said
Each system has it's little annoying quirks, though...
•Neither one ships with an HDMI cable as of this week
•The 360 gives you a set of AA batteries for your first week of controller power, then leaves you to fend for yourself as they die, while the PS3's controller has a rechargeable battery built in.
•The 360 comes with a headset, while the PS3 lets everyone get their own, which seemed like a cool way to accentuate how the platform uses industry standards like USB and Bluetooth, but in reality, a lot of people just never bother, which is sort of lame.
•The WiFi on the PS3 is cool and the lack of it on the 360 is annoying and expensive to remedy.
•the online is free to join if you use the PS3, the 360 requires a yearly pay subscription to LIVE
•the PS3 has BluRay, while the 360 has an attachable HD-DVD drive and Netflix.
I don't really want this to be as a dis to either system, it's just pointing out that both systems have there additional expenses. The only thing that bothers me is that the 360 has no built-in WiFi.
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•Neither one ships with an HDMI cable as of this week
•The 360 gives you a set of AA batteries for your first week of controller power, then leaves you to fend for yourself as they die, while the PS3's controller has a rechargeable battery built in.
•The 360 comes with a headset, while the PS3 lets everyone get their own, which seemed like a cool way to accentuate how the platform uses industry standards like USB and Bluetooth, but in reality, a lot of people just never bother, which is sort of lame.
•The WiFi on the PS3 is cool and the lack of it on the 360 is annoying and expensive to remedy.
•the online is free to join if you use the PS3, the 360 requires a yearly pay subscription to LIVE
•the PS3 has BluRay, while the 360 has an attachable HD-DVD drive and Netflix.
I don't really want this to be as a dis to either system, it's just pointing out that both systems have there additional expenses. The only thing that bothers me is that the 360 has no built-in WiFi.
Posted: Aug 19th 2009 8:06AM heimbachae said
@illtrooper
Lacking WiFi really bothers you? REALLY?! I'd say if PS3 had 802.11n yea it might bother me, but it has dated wifi, so i don't see cables going away from my household anytime soon.
and where are the pictures of the HDD slot?? people keep saying it's 2.5" but i want to SEE it.
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Lacking WiFi really bothers you? REALLY?! I'd say if PS3 had 802.11n yea it might bother me, but it has dated wifi, so i don't see cables going away from my household anytime soon.
and where are the pictures of the HDD slot?? people keep saying it's 2.5" but i want to SEE it.
Posted: Aug 19th 2009 8:50AM Cake Eater said
@Heimbachae
Look on the front, where it lists the standards that the system supports there's a small seam around it. That's the HDD slot imho (and HDD swap-ability has been confirmed by arstechnica).
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Look on the front, where it lists the standards that the system supports there's a small seam around it. That's the HDD slot imho (and HDD swap-ability has been confirmed by arstechnica).
Posted: Aug 19th 2009 10:25AM Dutchee said
You can find some real cheap and reliable HDMI cables online. I bought these for both my PS3s too and never had a problem with them. You can save a small fortune since they're a total rip-off in local stores. I don't see it as a major problem that HDMI cables are not included.
http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/Link-Depot-6-feet-HDMI-HDTV-PS3-XBOX-Cable/2994856/product.html
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http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/Link-Depot-6-feet-HDMI-HDTV-PS3-XBOX-Cable/2994856/product.html
Posted: Aug 19th 2009 1:46AM Muhammad Oli said
I love how you guys managed to fit a PSP, two DSs, an iPhone, a Gameboy Micro and an Advance SP onto the top of it. Just goes to show this thing may be slimmer, but it sure isn't small.
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Posted: Aug 19th 2009 1:48AM TheSound said
"Oh, and maybe it will actually come with an HDMI or some component cables ... and not the Slim's composite A/V leads. Seriously, Sony? Seriously?"
New 360's won't have 'em either. The $299 Elite will come with composite as well. Retailers want more monies it seems.
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New 360's won't have 'em either. The $299 Elite will come with composite as well. Retailers want more monies it seems.
Posted: Aug 19th 2009 1:51AM Bluebreaker said
"Oh, and maybe it will actually come with an HDMI or some component cables ... and not the Slim's composite A/V leads. Seriously, Sony? Seriously?"
As nearly most of the internet and nearly ALL of my gaming friends have repeatedly hammered into my head: HDMI are quite cheap from online sellers and electronic stores carry basic ones marked up by $10-$20 (for the 'convienice' of same day walk-in, I guess)
Reply
As nearly most of the internet and nearly ALL of my gaming friends have repeatedly hammered into my head: HDMI are quite cheap from online sellers and electronic stores carry basic ones marked up by $10-$20 (for the 'convienice' of same day walk-in, I guess)
Posted: Aug 19th 2009 1:59AM (Unverified) said
Got my HDMI cable for like 6-7 bucks off Monoprice.com.
Can't beat that, eh?
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Can't beat that, eh?
Posted: Aug 19th 2009 2:22AM Vaitork said
$0.01 + $2.98 shipping actually. Works like a charm.
Still, Sony is setting standards today. Not packing one of those is kind of a cheap move considering the tech trends today.
HOWEVER, remember this goes for $300. They would want to trim ANYTHING to make this a good investment.
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Still, Sony is setting standards today. Not packing one of those is kind of a cheap move considering the tech trends today.
HOWEVER, remember this goes for $300. They would want to trim ANYTHING to make this a good investment.
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