Sony PlayStation 3 Slim Console (250GB Model): Amazon.co.uk: PC & Video Games

Manufacturer's Description

Amazon.co.uk

As DVD playback made the PlayStation 2 more than just a game machine, hefty multi-media features make the PlayStation 3 Slim an even more versatile home entertainment machine. 32% smaller, 36% lighter and consuming 34% less power than the originals, this latest edition of the PlayStation 3 has been completely redesigned for a much more streamlined feel. Features such as video chat, internet access, digital photo viewing, and digital audio and video will likely make it the central component of your media set-up. Still, it is first and foremost a powerful gaming console.

Under the Hood
The PS3 features IBM's "Cell" processor and a co-developed Nvidia graphics processor that makes the system able to perform two trillion calculations per second. That makes the PlayStation 3 40 times faster than the PS2. Along with the traditional AV and composite connections, it also boasts an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port, which delivers uncompressed, unconverted digital picture and sound to compatible high-definition TV and projectors. The system is capable of 128-bit pixel precision and 1080p resolution for a full HD experience. This console also provides for a sound experience by supporting Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, as well as Linear PCM 7.1. A pre-installed 250 GB hard disc drive allows you ample room to save games as well as download content from the internet.

PlayStation Slim: Leaner and Meaner

A sleek new look

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune

Blu-Ray Is the New Way
Sony's PlayStation 3 games are encoded onto the Blu-Ray disc media format, which can hold six times as much data as traditional DVDs. This increase in capacity, combined with the awesome power of its processor and graphics card, promises mind-blowing games once developers have learned how to fully harness the new console's power. The PS3 will also support CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R formats.

In addition, PlayStation 3 system software update version 2.20 and up includes BD Live support. With this you can now play discs that support Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.0 (BD-LIVE) and you can also connect to the Internet while playing discs that support this format so that you can obtain additional features. Features that are available vary depending on the software in use.

Sensational Controller
New gamers intuitively move the controller while playing, even though that movement has traditionally had no relation to what's going on in the game. Sony has picked up on this tendency and is using it to bring a new level of control to the PS3. Inside the controller is a high-precision sixaxis sensing system that accurately detects fine movements in pitch, roll, and yaw, as well as three dimensions of movement. This means that future PS3 games will be controlled by the movements of your hands rather than just your thumbs. For example, you might be able to steer a car by holding the controller like a steering wheel.

While the PS3 controller looks much like its Dual Shock predecessors, it will lack the force-feedback vibration since that would only interfere with the sensing system. It uses Bluetooth 2.0 wireless technology and can support wireless controllers. It's a hot-swappable system, so if your controller is running low on power, just pause your game and connect a USB 2.0 cable. You can continue playing while your controller recharges automatically.

A Slew of New Games
With a series of games exclusively available on PlayStation 3 as well as an extensive catalogue of major titles, Sony have kept the PlayStation 3 to its gaming roots. With top titles in high definition, enjoy the biggest current and future releases such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, FIFA 10, Final Fantasy XIII, Metal Gear Solid 4, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Tekken 6, Gran Turismo 5, MAG and many more besides.

Online
Play all your favourite games online and much more over the PlayStation Network. With the 250GB storage capacity of the PlayStation 3 Slim, you can also store more downloadable games, music, photos, videos and much more. PlayStation network members can also download free applications such as PlayStation Home, a ground-breaking 3D social gaming community available only on PS3 that allows users to interact, communicate and share gaming experiences, as well as Life with PlayStation, which offers users various news and information on your TV by connecting the PlayStation 3 to the network.

What's in the Box?

Game system
Sixaxis wireless controller
AC power cord
Audio/Video cable (HDMI or Component cable sold separately)
USB cable

PlayStation 3 Slim 250gb Specification:

CPU	Cell Broadband Engine (Cell/B.E.)
GPU	RSX
Sound	LCPM 7.1ch, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS-HD, ACC and others.
Memory	256MB XDR Main RAM, 256MB GDDR3 VRAM
HDD	2.5" Serial ATA	250GB
Communication
	Ethernet	X1 (10BASE-T,100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T)
	IEEE 802.11 b/g	Included
	Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR)	Included
Wireless controller (Bluetooth)	Included
AV Output	Screen Size	480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
	HDMI OUT	1
	AV MULTI OUT	1
	DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL)	1
BD/DVD/CD Drive (Read Only)	Maximum Read Speed	BD 2x (BD-ROM)
		DVD 8x (DVD-ROM)
		CD 24x (CD-ROM)
USB Ports	2
Backwards Compatibility	No
Dimensions	Approx 290(w) x 65(h) x 290(l) mm
Weight	Approx 3.2kg

Product Description

The PS3 features IBM's "Cell" processor and a co-developed Nvidia graphics processor that makes the system able to perform two trillion calculations per second. That makes the PlayStation 3 40 times faster than the PS2. Along with the traditional AV and composite connections, it also boasts an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port, which delivers uncompressed, unconverted digital picture and sound to compatible high-definition TV and projectors. The system is capable of 128-bit pixel precision and 1080p resolution for a full HD experience. This console also provides for a sound experience by supporting Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, as well as Linear PCM 7.1. A pre-installed 250 GB hard disc drive allows you ample room to save games as well as download content from the internet.

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 72 people found the following review helpful

Well cool! 15 Jan 2010

By F. Ockelford

Fun:

After purchasing a 40" Sony Bravia we were looking to buy a BlueRay Player - the price difference between a nice BD Player and the PS3 Slim was not hugely different so I opted for the PS3. My only other foray in to games consoles was an X-Box many years ago (which I have mainly used for playing back DVDs! The PS3 has surprised me in so many ways...

1)It's set up was very straight forward via HDMIDI cable.

2)It automatically picked up our WIFI (I thought this would have to be an extra purchase). So I can now surf the net 'big screen style!)

3)No extras are required to watch DVDs (I purchased a DVD remote for �14 as my parents found it easier to use than the controller)

4)BBC Iplayer (and Five on Demand) finally comes into its own - the streaming quality and resolution on full screen are quite incredible. (From those that I have tried, the only one I can't play is the ITV one)

5)The resolution on PS3 Games is pin sharp, the Dual Shock controller takes a bit of getting use to until you realise it moves with you! - I would recommend the Wireless mics if you want to use SingStar

I have barley touched the surface of this product yet but, if you are looking for a multimedia player that covers BlueRay, WIFI and gaming I would really recommend this to you!

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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

Can't help but feel disappointed. 12 Mar 2010

By bassben04

I've had a 360 for a few years now but have been a more devout follower of Playstation since its debut years ago. As time went on I began to realise I'd made the wrong current gen decision and as the titles came out such as uncharted and killzone I eventually snapped and bought a ps3. Now don't get me wrong, it's great. It's like the PSP's tech older brother and the gaming experiences are just about as epic as I'd hoped.

BUT this hardware and been so blown up in my mind as video game perfection that the faults are harder to swallow. The online interface for example is a joke. Now I knew this wasn't to the standard of 360 before I purchased but I wasn't quite aware of the extent of the difference. Friends are a lot more difficult to team up with online, there's no real oral chat outside of games or specific programs and the whole thing feels clunky and annoying. Yes, it is free, but quite honestly I'd happily pay the �40 and get the service of xbox live which, whatever way you look at it, is far superior. Not only this but the sloppy ports of some recent titles is aggravating given the price of the hardware, and even when you receive your copy it has to install onto the hard drive for no apparent reason.

DESPITE THIS, this console is obviously a technical power house and the future of gaming and don't hesitate to buy this over the 360 if you're on the fence, the issues that I've brought up are being worked on and will be changed I imagine. The games as I say are great, the visuals of the exclusive titles are mind blowing and if you're a final fantasy fan you get the definitive non port and the promise of versus 13 in the future which I'm looking forward to. Just beware, it's not perfect and is a hell of a lot of money, but if you are a hardcore gamer, like me, you'll have to get one eventually.

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37 of 44 people found the following review helpful

The ps3 does it all 17 Dec 2009

By Mr. Steven Williamson TOP 1000 REVIEWER

This is the new ps3 slim which i invested in shortly after they came out, the workings of console itself is the same as the original ps3 but the shell is considerably smaller and the scale on which is made and works is smaller to save power and money. This means it easier to move about becuase its smaller and lighter, its also uses about a third less energy now also.
As a games console the ps3 is excellent, it may not have as good a library of games as the xbox and it may not have as good an online service, but its online is free which is great and the games it has are now starting to show the difference graphically between the xbox and ps3 e.g. uncharted 2 against any xbox game will show the ps3 to be considerably more powerful.In saying this i don't mean the ps3 has bad games it still has some great exclusives e.g. metal gear, uncharted, killzone and little big planet to name but a few. So don't be too much put off by the 360's catalogue.
Another advantage is that you don't need to pay for the additional bits and bobs that you do with xbox e.g. if you want to go wireless its built into the ps3 but with the xbox its around �60 for the adapter, the batteries are built in rechargable with the playstation the xbox requires a play and charge kit at around �15.
The ps3 is also a media playback machine, it can play just about any common file type thrown at it except .mkv, it plays music, videos , dvds, pictures but another big advantage is it a blu-ray player built in, and not a awful quality blu-ray player , a very high quality one doe to the magnitide of processing power supporting the ps3. This is the 250GB model also, this gives you a huge amount of room to save any media you may be wanting, so you can wirelessly transfer videos over from your pc and watch them on a tv rather than a monitor. Or if you want install a full operating system on it, the hard drive has the room for it.
The only minor concern with it is it can heat up a lot when playing this is because its been smaller and therefore the heat will have more of an effect against the casing, but i just hope that it isn't too detrimental on the workings of the ps3.

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