According to new paperwork filed with the FCC, Sony is looking to launch two new PS3 slim models. The new models, CECH-2101A and CECH-2101B, filed by Sony’s pseudonym company Sand Dollar Enterprise, has similar components to the existing slim model including the same Bluetooth and Wifi components.
Sony has done a great job in reducing the size and cost of the PlayStation 3. But did you know that Sony was thinking of making the PS3 Slim even smaller? Namely, replacing the hard drive with an alternative. One solution was replacing the hard drive with flash memory, which would not only reduce the size of the console, it would also noise and running costs.
If you like a little bling in your life, the 24 karat gold PlayStation 3 is sure to impress you. The gold PS3 is the creation of Computer-Choppers, who dipped the PlayStation 3 Slim casing in gold – even the DualShock 3 controller is available in gold. Only five of these gold consoles exist, and as of yet, no pricing information is available.
Sony Computer Entertainment of America has officially announced the new PlayStation 3 system with 250GB HDD. The new model will be available on November 3 for $349.99 USD. Sony’s new PS3 Slim model has sold well since its launch in September, and this latest 250GB unit will offer the same form and functionality as the 120GB model, but with a larger hard drive. Sony has sold some 1 million units worldwide in the first three weeks of its launch.
Sony America chief Jack Tretton has expressed his delight over the PlayStation 3’s recent success at retail following the introduction of the price cut and revamped Slim model. “Skyrocketing sales, couldn’t be happier with the numbers that we’re seeing, and I think proof that there was tremendous consumer demand, they were just waiting for the price-point to come down,” Tretton told Forbes.
Following heaps of speculation over the past few weeks, Sony UK has officially unveiled plans to release a series of 250GB PlayStation 3 bundles in the region. Kicking off on October 1, punters will be able to fork out £284.99 GBP for a bundle containing a choice of two Platinum Hits or a copy of the PS3 exclusive superhero outing, inFamous. Things get a little more exciting from October 16, though, when the bundle initiative is expanded to include Naughty Dog’s hotly anticipated sequel, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.
Over the last few weeks the PS3 Slim has provent to be a hit, but hopefully Final Fantasy fans haven’t already purchased one. Sony has a special white and pink edition, called Lightning Edition, coming that will honor the franchise. Plus, it will come rocking a 250GB HDD. So far the special edition is only announced for Japan though. It’s slated to be released on December 17 for ¥41,600 (approx £280 / $460).
If you live in Europe, a rumor has been circulating about a new PlayStation 3 Slim model. According to NowGamer, the much-talked about 250GB PS3 Slim model will be coming out as soon as next week. No specific date was given out, but the retail source seems to indicate that this release is no coincidence as news also came out that the new Xbox 360 “Super Elite” will be coming out with bundles.
If you currently own a older PlayStation 3 model and are thinking of moving to the new PS3 Slim, there are a few things you should know. There are some advantages and disadvantages with the new console, though it depends on how you intend to use it. Firstly, the new model is obviously smaller and lighter than the older models and it’s also more energy efficient, saving you some money on your electricity bill if you are a regular gamer. There are also other issues to consider.
According to VGChartz’s preliminary data, the PlayStation 3 Slim sold around half a million units in the first week, which is a 400% increase week on week. In Europe, some regions saw as much as a tenfold increase in PS3 sales, and over 200,000 units were sold in “other regions” (Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia etc) according to their preliminary data. In Japan, reports have already been independently confirmed from Famitsu magazine of over 150,000 units sold – twice as much as the previous best week for PS3.
