The Slim is In

A few minutes ago, Sony's announcement at Gamescom 09 has stolen the thunder from the Xbox 360.

A new slimmer, lighter PS3 was unveiled at the event by Kaz Hirai. The new console will retail for 299 dollars and 299 euros. I don't know what the pricing in India will be yet. Still, all PS3s on shelves will have their prices drop too - that means the current "fat" PS3 will soon sell at $299.

The slim consumes less power, weighs less and occupies less space. It has a 120gb hard drive inside and features are reportedly identical to the current SKUs of the console.


The fat iteration of the console still, in my opinion, has the better looks than the slim with its matte finish and PS2-esque lettering.

Either way this is good news for gamers. Rejoice ye all, for Sony hath finally seen the light!

Slim PS3 Confirmed?? - So it seems

With E3 - the gaming industry's Mecca - approaching, the rumour mills are spinning at full throttle.

Sony have always gone on to introduce new and slimmer versions of the playstation - the PS1 led to the PSOne, the PS2 wound up as slimmer PSTwo.

For days now there's been a great deal of speculation about the PSP Go (image on the left) and a new lighter, redesigned Playstation 3 from Sony, what with there being leaked photos and videos of both devices put up on various websites, and take-down notices flying left right and center (when box pictures purportedly of the new PS3 were leaked) . The PSP Go was indeed confirmed whereas the new slimmer PS3 was in the realm of hopeful speculation.

Until now.....

I just saw this bit on the BBC News website yesterday afternoon (the 1st of June, 2009) on an article about the PSP Go being confirmed.

Quoted from BBC News:

"There have also been reports that Sony will announce a re-designed, slimmer PlayStation 3 but BBC News understands this will not be launched at E3.

The new PS3 model will be out later this year, BBC News understands. "

The current versions of the PS3 are sexy enough (image right) as they are, both in terms of looks and the powerful hardware within that shell. But a new iteration could bring in newer features, the mythical never too-soon price cut and who knows what else!!!

So I guess it is confirmed but not at E3, 2009. With a new model coming out later this year, Sony might look to clear the shelves of the older model at a quick pace. This might mean that existing machines will attract some discounts either much before or immediately after the release. In all probability, the PS3 "Slim", as many have become fond of calling it, is set to make its debut during the holiday season (around Christmas) towards the end of the year. Lets hope so at least.

I don't think the BBC would open their mouth unless its true and they've got a reliable source.

Here's an artist's rendering (from T3 Magazine) of a possible design for the new PS3 "Slim".




PS: Here's the link to the BBC Article - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8076573.stm