But I was wrong, since Sony has reduced its manufacturing build costs 70 percent and unveiled a smaller, cheaper PS3 at last -- with no catch. True fact!
So of course, the important question is this: If you are not a PS3 owner, will this do ya? Vote in the sidebar poll! Get your friends to vote, too! And feel free to discuss in comments or in the Shoutmix chat box also on your right.
35 comments:
Well. It's not really a "worse" SKU is it? It's more of a replacement since it has the same functionality just at a fraction of the size. Or am I missing something?
It doesn't feel very Sonyish to have two different kind of consoles. Oh, wait.
Sony is played it cool and this is a big win. PS3 is, and has been, future tech. MSFT and Nintendo will be playing catch up once people start embracing current tech.
The slim is what it is. A bit smaller ...it's the price drop that's a bigger deal.
The PSP/Marvel Comics news is a bigger deal for me. :)
Hmmm...the PS3 is definitely a console I'll now consider purchasing. The 120GB hard drive is a WINNAH, considering I thought Sony would go cheapo on it by offering 20GB or none at all. Granted, all I want is MGS4, but this is definitely a nice price point that's long overdue.
I happen to be a PS3 owner, but I currently love my launch-model 60gb "phat", for the sole reason of backwards compatibility. I've still got a PS2, but it's also a "phat" model that's on its last legs. I've kept it clean mainly to play my import titles.
That said, my current PS3 is already off warranty, so if the unthinkable happens, the slim is a pretty good replacement.
Critical hit for Sony. I can now wholeheartedly recommend the PS3 over all other consoles (although the launch 60gb models still own all the others because of PS2 compatibility).
I don't care about the size-change, but the price drop does move the PS3 from "Not Happening" to "Potentially" for me. Not that I have the money to spare at the moment, but it's collected enough unique, exclusive games that I'm curious to check it out. I may get around to picking one up in time for The Last Guardian.
The Catch: You can't install other operating systems like Linux on the PS3 Slim, as stated in this article.
http://kotaku.com/5340085/ps3-slims-pics-and-specs/gallery/
Maybe not a big deal to most, but I like having a portable Linux media center in my house with the old PS3. Plus, when the PS3 becomes obsolete down the line, I can still use it as a computer.
Oh well. I'm guessing most people don't care, but nerdy people will probably be disappointed.
-Bill
Hey, just another thought to my post above... Why would they disable the ability to install other operating systems like Linux in the Slim?
Maybe they don't want people buying them just to use as media centers without buying games?
-Bill
Yeah this definitely drops it into the “realistic” range. It’s hard to justify, though, since I already have a 360 (which is played a LOT) and a Wii (which is barely touched). The Blu-Ray aspect is nice, though I’ve already decided I’m not rebuying my entire DVD collection. The big reason would be the exclusives, especially Heavy Rain and the Uncharteds.
This stops just short of a guaranteed buy for me. The much-improved price brings the console into the range of my disposable income, and the reduced form factor and energy consumption are both big pluses for me. The thing is, while there are many games on the console that I want to play, there's nothing that I consider an absolute must-have (possible exception: Flower). Additionally, given my PS2's recent struggles (and much-loved, large library) I would certainly spend money to replace it first, and a new PS2 + a PS3 is too expensive of a proposition, even with the price drop. Consider also all the new cable and accessories I would have to buy for the PS3. If this new model had robust backwards compatibility then I would be ordering one right now. Since it doesn't, it will probably have to wait until next year at the earliest, but more likely I won't buy one until The Last Guardian is imminent.
Nope, still won't do me, but it's not really Sony's fault. I've still got one more year of undergrad college to go. Maybe once I get a job I'll look into it, but not right now...
Honestly I doubt that the market segment for whom $399 was too expensive, but $299 isn't too expensive, isn't that large. Big sales on consoles, in the past, have always happened at the sub $200 mark.
The Wii, and inflation, may have moved that to $250, but if the mark were $300 then the xbox 360 would have far higher sales than they currently do.
Now I'm buying a PS3. It's affordable and I get the added benefit of Blu-Ray. Now, if backwards compatability were in there, I would have no buyers remose at all. It's okay though. I can just move over 2 feet and power on my PS2. It's a win-win for me and Sony.
This will cause a shift in marketshare over the remainder of this generation. Sony pulls ahead of the Xbox 360, lead by Japanese sales.
Not getting one. Nothing to do with sony just I only play fps and CIV both of which work better with a mouse so I have no interest in consoles.
Still no backwards compatibility and now no Linux. Is the machine still region free for games at least?
I could get a 60GB backwards compatible machine used, upgrade the hard drive and be on my way for the same price.
This is heading into very probably territory for me.
There still aren't many PS3 exclusive titles that grab me, but Kingdom Hearts & a real Gran Turismo have to show up eventually and the free online strikes me as a big plus. I just can't bring myself to pay for XBoxLive subscription that I often won't be using despite being perfectly willing to shell out for individual XBLA games (if they had a thing for silver members where you could drop 200 points to add unlimited duration online multiplayer to individual titles on an a-la-carte basis, I'd be *so* on board with that program).
Like others here, I've got the original 60GB SKU (which I adore) - I'll be most interested to see if Sony's price drop this year is as effective as Microsoft's last year.
Come to think of it, Sony may be in a better position. Last year we were all very much aware that we were slipping in to the worst parts of the "global recession", which didn't turn out to be quite so bad.
Now we're all aware that the worst seems to have passed - a much better time to offer a luxury product at a reduced price.
...I think.
probably not, still really hard to find a reason to buy it at this point since i already have a wii (btw, holy shit ppl wii sports resort is godly), ds and 360.
backwards compatibility would have been a major deal, but there's still no news on that front, inexplicably. i have very little interest in corporate politics, but maybe they're worried that the ps2 library would further cannibalize the ps3 library?
It's a pretty good day for Sony, I'll admit that. However, I'm still not buying a Slim, and here's why:
1) I have a 360, and while there are some good exclusives on PS3, it's not quite enough. It also offers an equally good online service, if not better.
2) I don't need Blu-ray, though I know I will probably invest in the future - which will mean that buying a PS3, for me, will be inevitable. Just not now.
3) No backwards compatibility. It doesn't matter to some, but it does matter to me, since I really want to finish Snake Eater one day.
4) Price. It's still too expensive, and considering everything I've said in the above, the Slim won't offer enough to offset the price tag.
The upshot is: it may be a good bargin for those without a 360 or a PS3, but not for me. At least now Sony has a chance against Microsoft, and I'm glad to see that happen.
I won't buy it until there is some sort of backwards compatibility or The Last Guardian comes out. Whichever happens first.
I do like it being smaller and having a matte finish and 120GB drive for the price.
Some unfortunate news about that, Matthew:
"'It's not coming back, so let me put that on the table,' Koller says with an air of finality."
http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/08/sony-answers-our-questions-about-the-new-playstation-3.ars
Looks like I'll get to finish that game after all. :(
never^
Sony is officially the worst company at pricing their hardware. A PSP GO! for $250 or a PS3 for $300. They have officially killed any sale from consumers that already own a PSP, but not a PS3. And by reading the comments it sounds like a lot of you don't have a PS3.
P.S. My Wii gets more attention than the PS3. Sony needs to fix their problem with a lack of interesting titles compared to the 360. Also, do everything possible to make multi-platform games look and play just as good as the 360 version.
This:
"Also, do everything possible to make multi-platform games look and play just as good as the 360 version."
Honestly, it's one of the reasons I banked on the 360. No doubt the PS3 has several features unique to it and that which raise its value tremendously, but, in my eyes at least, it's not the "gamer's" gaming platform. That's starting to change, but prior to this year's E3 I think the PS3 has had a rather confused image. That's simply my perception of it, and the original PSP design is yet another victim of that.
It's not that a combined multimedia device is a bad idea; it's that Sony thought people wanted that and that they would pay a premium for it. That was the problem right there. I think that people wanted a games console, but Sony forgot that; instead of prioritising the "games" aspect of their console, they kept throwing out terms like "multimedia hub". At least now they seem to be back on track.
This generation, Sony has had the worst series of console iterations/pricing structures in all industry history---hopefully this is a sign they understand they need a singular aesthetic/feature-set...but no BC and no removable HD make me doubt it.
@Chance:
That faint smell of doubt in your positive outlook is more than warranted. For us in the United States, unless we begin changing what we're doing (SOON) in response to our situation, it's going to get worse.
Even with this cheaper and sexier PS3 model, I still won't be purchasing one anytime soon.
See above.
I own a 360, and a hacked Wii. I have a crapload of games on my Wii (since I hacked it) that I don't even touch much.
The new PS3 slim has built in wifi and is a much better media player (supports more codecs than the 360 does) and has a blu-ray player, and has a 120gb HDD. For $299 I think it's a sweet deal and you are getting your money's worth. I will buy one in the future (mostly for Blu-ray and as a media extender), but not this year.
I would consider a PS3. I'm not considering XBox 360 anymore because the failure rate is so high with everyone talking about RRODs, I'm not willing to pay for my online play, and a lot of the games for the 360 make their way to Steam eventually, where I buy them for less money and don't have to pay for an internet service.
The main thing that keeps me from buying a PS3 though isn't the money (though the price drop makes it much more tempting), but the fact that there are still so many great PS2 games to buy at dirt cheap prices. I've got a lifetime supply of unfinished games that would all be great fun to play and the vast majority of them cost me about $5 dollars. That's a big difference from a new $60 PS3 game. It's even a big difference from a $20 bargain bin PS3 game. I keep mining through piles of used PS2 games and there's gold in them there hills! For every new PS3 game I don't buy, I get a dozen used PS2 games. The last generation was so good, I'm not convinced I need to move to the next one just yet.
The xbox 360 is a great all rounder with a friendly community (though filled with some colossal idiots, but this is the internet age so say hello to your fellow humans). The wii is cute and small, good for family and party play but as a solo experience not worth the time. Despite that I loved Red Steel, even though panned by critics.
The PS3, even now with it being slim and cheaper still gives off this uppity elitist vibe. Not had much use for it with friends round, blu-ray is still too expensive for barely noticeable quality and the controllers feel uncomfortable. At least now there's some games out for the thing as opposed to release. Maybe that community will form more now with folk grabbing it at a cheaper price. It's still a fortune for not alot, considering the cost of games and their content.
This is all just a bit of conjectual opinion mind so don't shoot me, it's all about what money you have and your preferences are. I say if you want a good console suitable for soloing, multiplayer and same-room play go 360. If you want a superb gaming experience with backwards compatiblity, multiplayer and anything else you want save up to get a PC and work a bit on it.
i already have a 40GB PS3 and i plan on trading that in towards one of these.
that might make me a sucker. but 3x the HD, and a dualshock 3 are decent incentives. i'm excited as hell.
I'm sure a few others have said this, but since the PS3 is now the same price as the Xbox360 I think it's finally become a challenger but not a leader to this race. Xbox360 has a better variety of titles to choose from (not saying Sony doesn't have good games but I'm feeling a very Dreamcast re-enactment going on here. Most of the great games can be found on other consoles as well).
In any case, I don't find this price drop all that amazing or exciting since it's gone more from "Ridiculously expensive" to "Realistically expensive." Meaning it's at where it should have started in the first place.
I have no plans on getting a Slim, mostly because I have been a PS3 owner for the last year.
The only thing that could have persuaded me otherwise was if they had announced that the Slim would be backwards-compatible.
THAT would be a hell of a deal...
I have not yet found a reason to buy a PS3 Slim when it's released. From what I know about it, it does not seem to offer anything different from current PS3's. Now if it were backwards compatible with PS2 software then yes!
As Far as sales go, maybe it can give Sony a boost.
I'm pretty sure this gives me another reason to think about picking one up. I've a new format Elite, though I didn't pay the $299 price since I got it like a year ago. Price was not really the main issue historically, just the feeling like Microsoft knew what I wanted and knew what games I wanted to buy. But now I find myself looking through the PS3 exclusive games and wanting to play noby noby... At $299 I might just buy myself a fancy blue ray player and get in on the Killzone and MGS4 hype...
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