PlayStation 3

PS3 does more than play games

Sony launched the redesigned PlayStation 3 Slim (*Est. $300) in September, but it is already attracting a host of good reviews. It boasts an excellent rating from CNET, and scores a superior rating from PC World. Overall, expert reviewers say the PlayStation 3 Slim is the best video game console for those who want to do more than just play games. "It's an unrivalled living room media machine, and a powerful games console," says Britain's TechRadar.com. The console is officially called the PlayStation 3 (120 GB), but nearly everyone refers to it as the PlayStation 3 Slim to differentiate it from the "fat" PlayStation 3 (80 GB).

What's immediately noticeable about the new PlayStation 3 is its slimmer, matte-finish design, compared to the glossy black finish on previous PlayStations. Most reviewers appreciate the design overhaul, although some think the new plastic feels cheap and less sturdy. In fact, the PS3 Slim requires an optional stand (*Est. $24) to be stable while standing vertically. Most features have largely stayed the same from previous models, and the PS3 includes two USB ports, HDMI output (cable sold separately), an integrated Blu-ray player and built-in Wi-Fi. It also has a 120 GB hard drive.

According to the experts, the PS3 Slim maintains the PlayStation reputation for excellent Blu-ray performance. David Carnoy at CNET says the PlayStation 3 Slim stays near the top of his list of the best Blu-ray players, and Matt Peckham at PC World notes few performance changes from previous generations. However, some reviewers have noted that the slim PS3 is just a hair slower than its fat predecessor in both loading discs and dealing with complex menu commands. That means that while the PS3 is still fast, it's no longer the fastest Blu-ray player on the planet.

Still, reviewers say Blu-ray movies played back on a PS3 look phenomenal on an HDTV. Additionally, while budget Blu-ray players are now appearing for around $150, and sometimes less, the player included in the PS3 is very advanced, including on-board support for all high-definition audio formats and all Blu-ray player profiles. The PS3 Slim can also play DVDs and upscale them to HD resolutions, although reports say performance isn't as good as some standalone upconverting DVD players. For more information on the disc-playing abilities of the PS3 Slim see the ConsumerSearch report on Blu-ray players.

The new PS3 Slim is quieter and more efficient than its predecessors, and much quieter than the Xbox 360. Still, some owners report loud fan noise after several hours of use. Games are output in high definition, and most experts agree that the graphics look excellent and realistic.

While reviewers like having free access to online games and movies via the PlayStation Network, most say this system is not as impressive as Microsoft's Xbox Live (*Est. $50 a year). Bryan Gardiner at Wired calls the PlayStation version a "pointless exercise in online interaction."

Up to now, Netflix streaming has only been available on the Xbox 360, and that's been seen by some to be a major advantage. However, in late October Sony struck a deal to bring Netflix streaming to PS3 users as well. Though you'll need a Netflix subscription, the gateway will be offered free and there will be no need to pay Sony a fee a la Xbox Live. Pundits say that the service goes live sometime this month, it will close the online gap between the two consoles.

Reviewers note some cut corners in terms of capabilities of the PS3 Slim compared to previous versions. Some say that the quality of CD playback has decreased from previous PS3s. Linux support has also been dropped. There's also no backward-compatibility for PS2 games, though that's something that was also missing in the later version of the "fat" PS3 (80 GB). As noted earlier, Blu-ray response times appear to be very slightly slower.

However, for serious gamers, the biggest downside to the PlayStation 3 Slim continues to be the PS3's relatively weak game library. Most experts say the PlayStation just can't compete with the Xbox 360 when it comes to game choices and popular titles like "Mass Effect 2," "Left 4 Dead 2" and "Halo." Still, Sony has made progress in this area, and some experts point to "Uncharted 2," "Gran Turismo 5" and "God of War III" as evidence that PS3-exclusive games are gaining ground. As Stuart Andrews at TrustedReviews.com points out, the PS3's hardware is excellent; now the software just needs to catch up. For mainstream users, reviewers say gameplay is terrific. Zach Honig at PCMag.com calls the PS3 an "incredible gaming device," and Matt Peckham at PC World thinks it is one of the best values yet from the PlayStation line.

Shortly after releasing the PS3 Slim, Sony also announced a 250 GB console (*Est. $350), which is identical save for the extra storage capacity. Britain's TechRadar.com calls the PlayStation 3 Slim 250 GB "the best PlayStation 3 system you can buy." In this version, you get more than twice the storage for an extra $50; that's a great deal if you expect to download lots of movies or TV shows. The 250 GB PlayStation 3 Slim is expected to hit store shelves this month.

What's not such a good deal is the sole "fat" PlayStation 3 (*Est. $300) still remaining. With nearly identical features (save for the design) and a smaller, 80 GB hard drive, experts wonder why it costs as much as the new PS3 Slim, which comes with a 120 GB hard drive for the same price. The 80 GB PS3 still earns some recommendations, but most acknowledge that the Slim is a better deal overall. According to CNET, the PlayStation 3 (80 GB) will be discontinued once inventory runs out; the PS3 Slim (120 GB) and PS3 Slim (250 GB) will be the sole models remaining.

The older PlayStation 2 (*Est. $100) is still available and it sells for a rock-bottom price. It can double as a DVD player, but does not support Blu-ray Discs. The PlayStation 2 has a good game collection, which is expected to exceed 1,900 titles in 2009 with more added in 2010. Few professional reviewers have evaluated the PlayStation 2 recently, but the console gets high marks from owners. At Amazon.com, users say the PlayStation 2 is a proven platform and a great value; the game selection also earns mostly raves. The PlayStation 2 can be a good choice for budget gamers, but keep in mind that any games you buy won't work if you eventually upgrade to the PlayStation 3. The PlayStation 2 is also available in a limited-edition bundle (*Est. $120) that comes with "Lego Batman: The Video Game" and "Justice League: The New Frontiers" DVD.