PS3 Slim is alive
At its Gamescom press conference in Germany overnight, Sony announced that yes, the PlayStation 3 is indeed a reality and will be in shops in New Zealand on September 3.
I heard former PlayStation New Zealand head Warwick Light, and the man who gave me the scoop about Sony's PlayTV before the rest of the world knew about it and before Sony had officially announced it, on the radio this morning saying the PS3 Slim, which featured a 120Gb HDD, was 36% lighter, 32% smaller and used 34% less power than the standard PS3.
In his first media interview of the day, David Hine, the head of PlayStation NZ, told me this morning that the PS3 Slim would sell in NZ for $629.95 and that the current 80Gb model would also take a price drop to $629.95, immediate now.
He said the the current 80Gb model, of which stocks are very light, would be phased out to make way for the Slim.
Hine believed that the $629 price point would appeal to consumers and retaillers had told him the PS3 Slim "will go off".
"Also, $629 RRP compared to $799 RRP is a substantial price drop for consumers," Hine said. "This will give consumers even more reason to have a PS3 for their multimedia device."
Here's what Sony's press release said about its new-look machine: "The internal design architecture of the new PS3 system, from the main semiconductors and power supply unit to the cooling mechanism, has been completely redesigned, achieving a much slimmer and lighter body. Compared to the very first PS3 model with 60GB HDD, the internal volume as well as its thickness and weight are trimmed down to approximately two-thirds. Furthermore, power consumption is also cut to two-thirds, helping to reduce fan noise. While inheriting the sleek curved body design of the original model, the form factor of the new PS3 system features a new meticulous design with textured surface finish, giving an all new impression and a casual look. With the compact body and casual appearance, the newly introduced model will appeal to a wider audience who are looking to buy the best entertainment system for their home."
So does that mean my launch PS3 doesn't have a casual look because it's big and bulky and shiny? Hine loves the look of the PS3 - "I'm thinking of upgrading myself" - but while I might be the minority, I actually like the look of the original PS3. It's substantial and has a presence. And it looks cool on my entertainment unit.
So, the question of the day: if you don't own a PS3, will you now consider buying a PS3 slim?
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I think the "textured surface finish" will be partly to get away from the dust magnet of the original. I do like the old style, sleek and smooth more, but the new unit dose still look good.
I have a launch 60gb (with a 320gb hdd in now) and will not be upgrading to the slim unless something happens to my 60gb.
I already have a PS3, so I'll start of slightly off track, in that no I will not upgrade to a Slim. I've never been a fan of any of the Sony Slim line products, other than the New PSP anyway. In fact if I didn't own one already I'd be jumping in now to get one of the larger versions before they are phased out. Thats possibly just me though as I know lots of pepople like the 'Slim' models...
On topic, I have two friends who will now seriously look into buying a PS3, one looking at the original before it gets phased out, and the other who would prefer to look more into the difference in spec between the two before making a final decision...
yep, i'll probably get one. perfect timing with teh near release of the psp go
good things come to those who wait :)
Definatly interested in this for a Blu-Ray player!
But why are we in NZ getting shafted on the cost of this new PS3?
In the U.S this new Slim version sells for $299 USD. Converted to NZD this is - $445 NZD.
I don't see why I should pay Sony NZ an extra $200 of my hard earned dollars just because I live in NZ.
Time to start looking at import options!
ive been hanging on to the rumours for months. i dont currently own a ps3.. but im sure going to get one now
I like the original one better because of the shiny finish but this looks good for people who don't already own a ps3
It's priced at $299 in US and US $299 = NZ $ 442 at today's rate, so how do they justify a massive $629.95, that's more than $200 price difference ??? So no, I won't buy it, if I do, it definately won't be from NZ.
No, still too expensive, especially given overseas prices are going to be substantially lower e.g. $US299($NZ445).
Not only are the prices for the original PS3 higher here, the price decrease coming with the PS3 slim is smaller than price decreases overseas (20% here, 25% overseas). Sony will be ripping NZ customers off even more than they were before.
Will this also be available in NZ the same way as the play-tv? i.e. not at all?
Digital copies need to be cheaper
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This looks really cool. The slim design is amazing but $630NZD is a bit too much considering that $299 USD = about $445 NZD. Since I am happy with a decent PC, Xbox 360 and a Nintendo Wii, I may hold off until the price for a PS3 goes below $500 NZD. The price in Japan, US and Europe may help the PS3's sales.