Things You Might Not Know About the PS3 Slim

Also, here's the full press release from Sony's web site:

 Lower Price to Further Accelerate Expansion of the PlayStation®3 Platform
Along with Extensive Software Title Line-up for Upcoming Holiday Season

Tokyo, August 18, 2009 – Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today unveiled the new PlayStation®3 (CECH-2000A) (body color: charcoal black) computer entertainment system, featuring an extremely streamlined form factor with a 120GB Hard Disk Drive (HDD). The new PlayStation®3 (PS3®) system will become available in stores from September 1, 2009, in North America, Europe/ PAL territories and Asian countries and regions at a very attractive recommended retail price (RRP) of US$299 and €299, respectively. The system will become available in Japan on September 3, 2009, at a RRP of 29,980 yen (including tax). With the introduction of the new PS3 system, SCE will also reduce the price of the current PS3 with 80GB HDD to a RRP of US$299 from August 18 and €299 from August 19. Also in North America, the price of PS3 with 160GB HDD will be reduced to a RRP of US$399 from August 18. By launching a vast library of exciting and attractive software titles for PS3 this holiday season and offering customers a line-up of hardware models and pricing to match their preference, SCE will build on the momentum and further accelerate the expansion of the PS3 platform.


The internal design architecture of the new PS3 system, from the main semiconductors and power supply unit to the cooling mechanism, has been completely redesigned, achieving a much slimmer and lighter body. Compared to the very first PS3 model with 60GB HDD, the internal volume as well as its thickness and weight are trimmed down to approximately two-thirds. Furthermore, power consumption is also cut to two-thirds, helping to reduce fan noise. While inheriting the sleek curved body design of the original model, the form factor of the new PS3 system features a new meticulous design with textured surface finish, giving an all new impression and a casual look. With the compact body and casual appearance, the newly introduced model will appeal to a wider audience who are looking to buy the best entertainment system for their home.


Concurrently with the release of the new PS3 system, SCE will modify the PS3 brand name from “PLAYSTATION 3” to “PlayStation 3”, and introduce a new “ ” logo, which is engraved on the surface of the new PS3 system. By unifying under the familiar “PlayStation®” name, which represents the entire PlayStation family, PS3 together with PlayStation®2 and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) will further expand the PlayStation business, and will continue to enhance the entertainment experience along with the ever-growing PlayStation®Network.

The new PS3 continues to offer the cutting-edge features and functions of the current models, such as the ability to enjoy high-definition Blu-ray disc (BD) movies and games, as well as various content and services downloadable through the network. The new PS3’s storage size has increased from 80GB to 120GB, and with the extra capacity users will be able to store more games, music, photos, videos as well as various content and services available through PlayStation Network. Having more than 27 million registered accounts around the world, PlayStation Network offers more than 15,000 pieces of digital content, ranging from game titles, trailers, and demos to more than 15,000 movies and TV shows via PlayStation Store*1. PlayStation Network members can also download free applications, such as PlayStation Home, a ground-breaking 3D social gaming community available on PS3 that allows users to interact, communicate and share gaming experiences, as well as Life with PlayStation, which offers users various news and information on a TV monitor in the living room by connecting the PS3 to the network.

Since the launch of PS3 in November 2006, the number of BD-based titles has reached more than 1,000 titles and downloadable PS3 games to 1,400*2 titles worldwide, with the support from a broad range of third party game developers and publishers. In addition to this extensive software title line-up, exciting and attractive new titles are to be released from SCE Worldwide Studios, including Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, EyePet, Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time, Heavy Rain, God of War 3, MAG, ModNation Racer, Gran Turismo 5 and more.


Other features of the new PS3 include:

Ø PS3 system software update version 3.00


Concurrently with the release of new PS3, system software will be upgraded to version 3.00 on September 1. The update adds various user-friendly features such as the “What’s New” screen, where users can quickly browse the new items available in PlayStation Store as well as their recently played games directly on the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar), with short cuts to each piece of content. PS3 will evolve continuously with the system software updates, further improving the operability and enhancing the user experience available through the network. PS3 owners will be able to enjoy new features by simply updating the PS3 system software to version 3.00 via the “System Update” function on the XMB*3.

Ø BRAVIA® Sync™ Feature

The new PS3 system is also equipped with the BRAVIA® Sync™ feature. By connecting the new PS3 system and a BRAVIA TV with the HDMI cable, users are able to directly operate the XMB on PS3 using the TV remote control. Other functions include “System Standby” that will automatically turn off the PS3 system when the BRAVIA TV is turned off*4.

Ø “Vertical Stand” for new PS3 (CECH-2000 series)

By utilizing the separately sold “Vertical Stand”, users will be able to set the new PS3 in vertical position*5, making it easier to place the PS3 system anywhere at home. The vertical stand will become available in Japan on September 3, 2009, at a RRP of 2,000 yen (including tax) and in North America at US$24*6.

Ø Removal of “Install Other OS” feature

The new PS3 system will focus on delivering games and other entertainment content, and users will not be able to install other Operating Systems to the new PS3 system.

Along with a vast line-up of attractive and exciting entertainment content with the new PS3 system, SCE will continue to further expand the PS3 platform and create a new world of computer entertainment.


*1 Number as of end July 2009. Content within PlayStation Store will differ by region, please refer to the official PlayStation.com site for further details.

*2 Includes PS one® classics and free of charge content (downloadable demos).

*3 Users will need to connect their PS3 to the network to use the function.

*4 Users will need to use BRAVIA TV that supports the BRAVIA Sync feature. For further information about BRAVIA Sync, please refer to the official Sony site in each region.

*5 Users will need to use the separately sold “Vertical Stand” to set the new PS3 in vertical position.

*6 Release date of the vertical stand for North America will be announced when available. Release date and price of the vertical stand for Europe/ PAL territories and Asian countries and regions will be announced when available.

Product Outline

PlayStation®3 (CECH-2000A)

Product name

PlayStation®3

Product code

CECH-2000A (Charcoal Black)

CPU

Cell Broadband Engine™

GPU

RSX®

Audio output

LPCM 7.1ch, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS-HD, AAC.

Memory

256MB XDR Main RAM, 256MB GDDR3 VRAM

Hard disk

2.5” Serial ATA

120GB *1

Inputs/

Outputs*2

Hi-Speed USB
(USB 2.0)

2

Networking

Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T) × 1

IEEE 802.11 b/g

Bluetooth® 2.0 (EDR)

Controller

Wireless Controller (Bluetooth®)

AV output

Resolution

1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i (for PAL 576p, 576i)

HDMI OUT connector*3

1

AV MULTI OUT connector

1

Digital out (optical) connector

1

BD/DVD/CD
drive (read only)

Maximum read rate

BD × 2 (BD-ROM)
DVD × 8 (DVD-ROM)
CD × 24 (CD-ROM)

Power

AC 220 – 240, 50/60Hz*4

Power consumption

Approx. 250W

External dimensions

(excluding maximum projecting part )

Approx. 290 × 65 × 290 mm (width × height × length)

Mass

Approx. 3.2kg

Included *5

PlayStation®3 system × 1
Wireless Controller (DUALSHOCK®3) × 1
AC power cord × 1
AV cable × 1
USB cable × 1

*1 Hard disk capacity calculated using base 10 mathematics (1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes). System software versions 1.10 and later calculate capacity using binary mathematics (1 GB = 1,073,741,824 bytes), which will display lower capacity and free space. A portion of hard disk capacity is reserved for system administration, which varies depending upon system software version, and is not available for use.

*2 Usability of all connected devices is not guaranteed.

*3 "Deep Colour" and "x.v.Colour (xvYCC)" defined by HDMI ver.1.3a are supported.

*4 Power changes depending on countries or regions.

*5 For certain regions, Euro-AV cable will be included.

Note: This product is not compatible with PlayStation®2 games.



New Logo

Vertical Stand (CECH-ZS1)

Product name

Vertical Stand

Product code

CECH-ZS1

Included

Vertical Stand (CECH-ZS1) × 1

External dimension

Approx. 88 mm x 18 mm x 260 mm (width × height × length)

Mass

Approx. 115g

Supports

CECH-2000 series

* The “Vertical Stand” is for the new PS3 system (CECH-2000 series) and cannot be used on the current model.

About Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Recognized as the global leader and company responsible for the progression of consumer-based computer entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) manufacturers, distributes and markets the PlayStation® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system and the PlayStation®3 (PS3®) system. PlayStation has revolutionized home entertainment by introducing advanced 3D graphic processing, and PlayStation 2 further enhances the PlayStation legacy as the core of home networked entertainment. PSP is an innovative handheld entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio. PS3 is an advanced computer system, incorporating the state-of-the-art Cell processor with super computer like power. SCEI, along with its subsidiary divisions Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd., and Sony Computer Entertainment Korea Inc. develops, publishes, markets and distributes software, and manages the third party licensing programs for these platforms in the respective markets worldwide. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. is an independent business unit of the Sony Group.

# # #

Dolby is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories.

DTS is a trademark of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.

HDMI, HDMI logo and High Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC.

Blu-ray Disc is a trademark.

The Bluetooth word mark is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. is under license.

PlayStation, PLAYSTATION, PS3, RSX, DUALSHOCK and GRAN TURISMO are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Cell Broadband Engine is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Other things to note:

1.  The buttons are buttons now, not those "touch sensitive" things.

2.  Doesn't look like it has a power brick - power supply is still internal.

Awesome system...terrible, terrible name. Honestly, Sony? Do your fans need to go on a diet? Are they looking to cut back on their smoking habits?

So many cooler names were at your disposal. Without barely any thought...PS3 Sliver, PS3 Blade, PS3 Edge... I don't know, maybe it's just me. Anyone else have opinions?

So, is there an option to get a PS3 "Fat" after the existing non-Slim inventory is gone?  I still have my PS2 plugged in since PS2 emulation on the version of the PS3 I have is less than stellar, but I had it in my mind that I would still have some options should my PS2 crap out.

I honestly don't think there is going to still be a fat.  But PS2 emulation, even in the Fat is long, long gone.  The latest few PS3 fats have 0 emulation ability.

Yeah, I did some research after I posted that and backwards compatibility is no longer a consideration on Sony products.  It's sad really.  John Koller was right when he said, ""most consumers that are purchasing the PS3 cite PS3 games as a primary [reason]...it's well into the 80 or 90 percentile range who are purchasing it for PS3 [games]."  However, I think he's missing something.  I didn't go PS3 for any specific PS3 games.  I upgraded my console because all consoles had a newer version than what I was running and I needed that for new games.  I chose the PS3, versus the Wii or 360, because I had a large library of PS1 & PS2 games and I liked that Sony had always supported their old platforms.  With the decision to ditch compatibility on the PS3 and the decision to ditch UMD from the PSP's, I can no longer count on Sony to support my existing inventory.  Since that was a huge selling point for me when deciding on a platform I now have no reason to stick with Sony and I just might get a Wii 2 in the next round of console wars.

Sony lost a loyal customer with this move.

It might be more than that. I'm inclined to believe that they're ditching backward compatibility so that they can sell you the old games again through the PSN store.

PS1 games on the PS3 has been a model I can get behind and have taken advantage of already.  I have purchased a couple of PS1 games that way so that I could load them onto my PSP.  I don't expect the PSP to play PS1 disks for obvious reasons.  I also don't expect some kind of PS1 to PSP rom dump utility...at least from Sony.

So I bought FF7 to play on the plane a few weeks ago.  Last night I figured out how to copy the save files for PS1 games between my PSP and PS3.  The "smoothing" feature on the PS3 works pretty good.  I did find out you have to set your disk speed emulation to "normal" for FF7 when playing it on a PS3.  It's odd using "O" to confirm and "X" to cancel.  All in all I think I got my $10 worth.

I also got Tomb Raider for PS1.  I forgot how frustraiting the controls were for that game.  I played it all of ten minutes.