14 replies to this topic

[godslabrat]

Looks like Sony's getting the jump on a slimline system this generation. They've filed for patents for a PS 3 slimline that features a 40GB HDD, no memory stick port, and only two USB ports. No word on release date, though.

Hmmm.... if the DVR capabilities follow, and they don't dump the Blu Ray drive, this could be an awesome bedroom setup.

[Gabriel]

So far I have to say the memory stick ports have been superfluous. As for the USB ports, the most I ever use is two: one to charge a controller and one to have a keyboard available.

It would have been smarter if they had just replaced the memory stick ports with a PS2/1 memory card port.

[Artlover]

godslabrat, on Fri Sep 28, 2007 6:28 PM, said:

and they don't dump the Blu Ray drive

Since PS3 games are being released on Blu Ray discs, that isn't even an option.

[EricDeLee]

Why do people keep thinking that they are going to drop the BluRay....

That's strange. The games are made on BluRay... I just don't see that happening

[shadow460]

Perhaps there's a "lite" version of the drive. I'm sure we'll see one. Look at typical DVD players now, and typical CD players, or even the PSP Slim. Although Sony probably won't drop Blu-Ray, you can bet the drive in the new PSThree will not cost as much to make as the ones in the current model.
This new console will help drive down the price of a used PS3, meaning cheap folks like me will be able to get the first models for less than what they cost now. In return, though, I didn't get to enjoy it when it was bleeding edge. I think that's fair.

[Justin42]

I don't think it's actually a huge redesign other than just shuffling parts around (there were similar filings discovered for the 80gb unit a month or two before it was announced). I haven't seen any websites refer to it as 'slimline', do you have a source for that?

[Gregory DG]

I don't understand why Sony made the PS3 such a huge monstrosity in the first place. I thought the Japanese were more interested in small technology rather than large?

If they can cut 30-50% of the size of that behemoth down, and cut the price by $100 (permanently) they might have a fighting chance.

[Artlover]

EricDeLee, on Sat Sep 29, 2007 11:04 AM, said:

Why do people keep thinking that they are going to drop the BluRay....

Wishfull thinking.

Tobad they are locked to the format.

[spacecadet]

It's not any slimmer, it's basically just the 20GB system with a 40GB hard drive. No big whoop. It'll let them have a system on the market for $399.

Blu-ray's not going anywhere.

[NintendoDieScreaming]

I didn't own any of the last generation consoles, so my itch for new gaming hasn't been quenched since Sonic Adventure 2 waaay back on the Dreamcast. Should they come out with a more compact PS3, since space and money are kinda tight for me right now, I'd seriously consider buying one. I need new games, dammit!

[Albert]

Gregory DG, on Sat Sep 29, 2007 10:51 PM, said:

I don't understand why Sony made the PS3 such a huge monstrosity in the first place. I thought the Japanese were more interested in small technology rather than large?

The Xbox 360 is no lightweight either. The only "small" system this round is the Wii!

..Al

[MegaManFan]

Unless I'm mistaken part of the space and cost savings is that they are dropping PS2 backwards compatibility.

[Mendon]

MegaManFan, on Mon Oct 8, 2007 3:27 AM, said:

Unless I'm mistaken part of the space and cost savings is that they are dropping PS2 backwards compatibility.

Plus the card reader and two of the USB ports.

The card reader and USB ports, to me, are no big deal because if they were essential to my gameplay then I'd just buy a USB hub and an external card reader. But what is meant by "dropping" BC actually has me confused.... they dropped the EE chip when the 80gb version was released and went with a software BC solution. How dropping this software out of the 40gb system allows Sony to lower the PS3 price substanially I don't quite understand.

But then, from what I've read, the EE chip was never in Europeon PS3's anyway.



Mendon

[Flojomojo]

The 60GB model was the sweet spot for me. I *like* the card reader, personally, and I think that every PC, printer, DVD player, etc. should come with one (though the Wii's picture viewer is superior). No backwards compatibility is the kiss of death as far as I'm concerned.

I don't think the current box could get much smaller unless they took the power supply to the outside of the unit, like the 360, Wii, Cube, and PStwo.

[MaDDuck]

I'm leaning more towards a redesign with a separate power supply and possible a smaller form factor HDD.

A little birdie told me about a sweet redesign that is due by the end of the year at the soonest.

I, for one, am excited and cannot wait!!