The latest PS3 slims down to its smallest size ever while retaining everything we like–and a few things we don’t–about the PlayStation 3 gaming console. One could expect this gadget to replace the older model with a younger, sexier one. Disappointingly, the new PS3 Super Slim is anything but that.
The newly redesigned PlayStation 3 is smaller and lighter than ever before; it’s the same old PS3 but in a brand new case. In simple terms, it looks less like a video game console and more like an outdoor grill. We just don’t see any reason why one would choose the Super Slim over other PS3 models for portability alone, especially since a console cannot be carried around like a laptop.
Design
At first look, the Super Slim PS3 is unexpectedly small. The aesthetic design, look and the shape resembles something of a hybrid between the PS3 Slim and the original PlayStation 3 that was released back in 2006. That said, it’s much smaller, measuring 290mm wide, 60mm tall and 230mm deep. It is 20 percent smaller and 25 percent lighter than its immediate predecessor, the PS3 Slim. With this innovation, Sony has also added on a non-motorized sliding disc cover instead of a slot-loading disc tray. It is totally analog, meaning you can open it manually by sliding the plastic cover right to left, or by hitting the eject button that rests on the front. The Super Slim has a much cheaper feel compared to previous models, and whether it was to cut costs or save space, the disc loading tray at the top is an ultimate step back.
Features
When you open the box, you’ll find the console, a matte black DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller with AV and USB cables and the same AC adapter as the PS3 Slim. Unfortunately, you’ll have to hunt out (or more likely buy) another HDMI cable. Like the majority of the PS3 iteration before it, this Super Slim PS3 is not backward-compatible with PS2 games. For that type of functionality, you’ll need to search through the PlayStation Store to see if the PS2 game you want to revisit is available, and then of course you’ll need to buy it. Apart from the 500GB storage, it is the same in terms of internal components with the same Cell Broadband Engine CPU and RSZ GPU. You can definitely expect Blu-ray compatibility with 3D gaming support, and the usual access to movies, TV shows, music and much more via PlayStation Network and Sony Unlimited.
Performance
There isn’t any visible speed increase with the new PS3. Since the disc tray is no longer embedded in the console, the laser reader can be heard from time to time. The console doesn’t make much noise beyond the laser reading movements. But there doesn’t seem to be the excess fan noise that the original PS3 suffered from. One thing we did notice during Blu-ray playback mode was that the virtual controls now look bolder, making them easier to view from a distance. This is a small but welcome change, having had to squint from afar with the previous models.
Downgrades
In an attempt to create something staggering, Sony has dropped significant features such as Linux support as well as backward compatibility with PS2 games. The slot loading Blu-dray drive has been replaced by a top-loading eyesore. The door that is hidden behind a spring-loaded sliding mechanism, opens with a mechanical eject button and has to be closed manually. Unlike its sturdily built predecessor, the Super Slim’s bodywork feels fragile. Also, the classy matte black body of the Slim has been replaced with shiny plastic that turns into a smudgy, fingerprint- riddled mess in a matter of minutes. Sony has actually opted for a cheaper alternative, and the difference is as profound as going from the USS Enterprise’s tractor beam to the Maruti Omni’s sliding door.
The Verdict- Does it really compare to the older gen PS3?
Basically, the PlayStation 3 Super Slim remains a cosmetic redesign of what’s essentially a seven-year-old hardware. If the lack of novelty or any kind of hardware optimization wasn’t bad enough, the very apparent instances of cost cutting make it worse.
And if you already own a PS3 Slim, there’s no real reason to want to swap consoles. If Sony had added simple things like an IR sensor and HD cables out of the box, we’d have a much easier time recommending it as a worthy upgrade for current PS3 owners.
