PlayStation 3 Slim - $299.99

[DarthPrime]

At the GamesCom conference Sony showed off the long rumored PlayStation 3 Slim and a new price of $299.99.

The new PS3 will have all the same features and functionality of the current 80GB/160GB models, but will feature a 120GB hard drive, and be smaller (33% smaller, 36% lighter, and 34% less energy usage).

The current PS3 stock has also seen a price drop. The 80GB model has been reduced to $299, and the 160GB Uncharted Bundle has been reduced to $399. Both will be replaced with the new 120GB Slim as stock is sold out.

The Slim will be released on September 1st, and several sites are already doing preorders. The new prices for the current stock are in effect now.

The new PS3 Slim...

[CampbellzSoup]

nice should entice new users, happy with my big old launch model

[ajmrowland]

I enjoy my 40GB model, despite no PS2 upscaling.

[DaveWadding]

Gonna get one eventually for Blu-Ray/MLB The Show (also known as the best baseball game there is...and a PS3 exclusive.)

[universALLove]

It's not the most attractive design now is it?

[ajmrowland]

Looks like they stepped back to PS2 design.

[DarthPrime]

Yeah it looks like they went with a mix of the current PS3 design and the PS2 Slim design. At first I wasn't real sure on the design, but it grew on me after seeing some pictures with it next to the current PS3 and the 360.

[Cordy_Biddle]

My brother is wishing he'd waited for the slim model; he had to buy a new PS3 a few weeks ago after his original died (post-warranty).

[DarthPrime]

My brother is wishing he'd waited for the slim model; he had to buy a new PS3 a few weeks ago after his original died (post-warranty).

He might be able to get a refund for the difference, depending on where he bought it and how long ago he got the new PS3.

My friends 60GB PS3 died last year (Blu-ray drive went out) after having it for a little over a year. Sony will repair them post-warranty. They charge $150, and ship you a box to send the PS3 back to them. I think it took him about 2 weeks total, from the time he made the phone call, to get his system back.

[Mushu2083]

Makes me want one even more now. My dad has promised me a PS 3 since last Christmas but he has kept on making excuses as to why he hasn't gotten it yet. (none of the excuses have been good one) so I'm trying to scrape together enough money to get one myself because that's what it looks like I'm going to have to do. I just want a PS 3 for Ratchet and Clank.

[ajmrowland]

It's not relevant her, but it's been confirmed that the slim will bitstream HD audio for Blu-ray movies, whereas existing models don't have the hardware and have to decode the HD audio internally and send it out as PCM.

[DarthPrime]

Has anyone heard anything about a earlier release date? Amazon, Gamestop, and Best Buy are showing August 25th now.

I know when I preordered at Gamestop on Wed their system showed the 25th, but they told me it wasn't correct. With more sites showing the 25th I'm starting to wonder. Maybe I should call and check.

Also that's excellent news ajmrowland for those that need/want the bitstream support.

[ajmrowland]

Gamestop makes a lot of estimations when pre-orders go up. Maybe they were right this time?

[DarthPrime]

Gamestop makes a lot of estimations when pre-orders go up. Maybe they were right this time?

They could be. With the 360 Elite price cut ($299) coming on August 30th maybe the Slim was bumped up a week.

[Beast_enchantment]

Looks terrible! reminds me of a Sega megadrive/genesis! Yuck!! think i'll stick with the one i've got lol