Reviews// PlayStation 3 Super Slim 500GB

What does it do?

Posted 27 Sep 2012 11:00 by
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Open Blu-ray Cover
Open Blu-ray Cover
Sony says it will release a dedicated 250GB hard drive in the markets where the 12GB PS3 is available to allow users to expand their storage. However, according the the small print on the press releases, you won't be able to use the 12GB flash memory if a hard drive is connected. It remains to be seen if this is due to the hard drive physically replacing the flash memory in the internal drive bay or if it's a software limitation to prevent your data being split across two storage devices.

In operation, the new PS3 is very quiet indeed, with the fans only starting up when it is doing serious work and even then they are quieter than the ones that the Slim model is equipped with. Almost all of the noise from this hardware comes from the Blu-ray drive, but this is still not awful, your game or movie will mask the noise of the disc spinning very easily. The most noticeable noise comes when the drive seeks a new area of the disc, such as when starting to load a game, and this occurs infrequently.

Other than that, this is a PS3 and it does what a PS3 does. Games seem to take the same length of time to load, movies too start playing in about the same amount of time as with the previous models. This is perhaps unsurprising since the Blu-ray drive is still rated at only 2X speed.

At the time of writing, prices in the UK seem to have settled at about £185 for the 12GB version and £250 for the 500GB version. Both prices are higher than those for a 250GB Xbox 360 and the 12GB is around the same price as a 160GB PS3 Slim. If you're technically minded, it's possible to get a 1TB drive for about the price difference between the 160GB Slim and the 500GB Super Slim models and fit it yourself.

So what is the point of the new Super Slim PS3? It's slightly less convenient to load and eject discs and it's not a huge saving in price, but it's quieter and quite a bit smaller and lighter than its predecessor.

The box
The box
The point, I suspect, has to do with the size and weight, not just of the console itself, but of the entire box it comes in, accessories and all. By reducing the size and weight of the box the PS3 is transported and stored in, the cost per unit goes down and Sony makes slightly more profit on each one. This should, in theory, see a price drop occur sooner with the Super Slim than it would if the Slim model was the only one around.

So should you get one? To a certain extent this question is moot, in a few months time this model will be the only one you will be able to get. Just like the Fat before it, the Slim will fall by the wayside and into the second hand market. However, at the moment you have a choice to either buy a Slim or a Super Slim.

If I was looking to replace my current PS3 Slim (I like the slot loading Blu-ray drive, and it's difficult to see the advantage over a Slim and bigger drive) I'd still get a like-for-like replacement. This may change if the 12GB version can be fitted with an ordinary hard drive.

In terms of whether this is a successful addition or not, well, Sony has done exactly what it needed to: reduced shipping and warehousing costs while keeping 100% compatible hardware in the market.

Pros:
+ Very quiet.
+ Smaller and lighter.

Cons:
- Fiddly disc access.
- No real reduction in price.
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Comments

Showing the 20 most recent comments. Read all 25.
cat 18 Oct 2012 14:43
6/25
bitch bitch bitch bitch bitch bitch bitch. All yall are doing is bitching about s**t yall cant change or control. dont like it? Dont buy it dumbass. Yall sit there and bitch and moan about "oooh i want a newer ps3, ooooh i wish i had more memory, ooooh whens there gunna be a ps4?" and then when they give you what you want you nit pick over stupid s**t. How about since none of you work for sony you shut your f**king mouths and be happy and thankful for what they have done for you.
Kilo Graham 28 Oct 2012 14:00
7/25
@cat beach beach beach beach beach beach. All you are doing is beaching about sheet you cant change or control. dont like it? Dont read it dumb-bum.
How about since you don't work for sony YOU shut your freaking mouth.
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T-bagger 28 Oct 2012 21:14
8/25
this new ps3 is a cheap disaster that has already happened
steve 2 Nov 2012 06:12
9/25
i have one of these new 500gb models and i think its a good system its small,quite and has a s**t load of memory,so what the hell go for it!
aviral 6 Nov 2012 16:46
10/25
the new ps3 500 gb doesnt looks great
the ps3 320 gb move bundle is better in looks
Aaron 17 Nov 2012 08:18
11/25
Ok so i bought the new super slim
It's not bad at all, the sliding does need a bit more than just a delicate push but seems to work fine. the disks can be taken out with relitive ease (harder than older models though). But yea I got what i think was a very good deal. i bought the 12g model with Black ops 2 for $399 Nz which is around 204 pounds. and considering black ops 2 is going for 100+ dollars I am very pleased as the consol was effectivly 290 dollars. or 148 pounds
Nick 17 Nov 2012 12:01
12/25
I had gotten this the day it came out. It's already beginning to freeze like the top comment said. If you are wanting a ps3 just go ahead with the slim to stay on the safe side, and save yourself from having to send it in to sony for repair (luckily I have a warranty). I have a feeling though that I will have to send it in for repair more than once.
Yash Rasti 25 Nov 2012 11:05
13/25
All d idiots are talking about CHEAP plastic,, tel me u have to play wireless games sitting 5 mtrs away from ur LED/LCD and ur Console OR u have to sit and jump over ur console?? No issues wid cheap plastic,, Neither with the disk loading... Only problem is they dont give HDMI cable along wid it, but not an issue, u can buy it from ur Local electronics market, easily available at Rs. 150 only (At Naza market in Lucknow)..
Play and Enjoy and feel d graphics...
Ps3:Ambusher20 28 Nov 2012 16:34
14/25
i think cas the fat one look the beast 2nd is the super slim and 3rd is slim one
Robbi 23 Dec 2012 14:09
15/25
Does The -s3 Super Slim Have Built In 3d ?
Shauno dribbz 26 Dec 2012 08:10
16/25
@cat_ mate what I think is your one of though's dicks that looks for s**t to argue about online. All thoughs posts had a point why would any one want more memory and sacrifice the quality of the unit as it has been years since the release of the ps3 and not every one has the skill to pull there console apart and fix it, there for they expect the same quality as there first ps3 witch Sony are not providing.
georgie b/junle 31 Dec 2012 23:16
17/25
ive had it since christmas day so far so good quite happy with it. i got fed up with microsoft after buying 1 xbox 360 in 2007 and it broke about 14 months later. sent it back to micro soft and it came back broken. bought another xbox 360 and it broke a year later so i decided to buy dis new super slim as i said so far so good hopefully it lasts 3 times longer dan my previous 2 xbox's
Sparklefingers 2 Jan 2013 14:07
18/25
We had to buy a new ps3 recently this was all we could get. It's horrible, it's already broken and gone back to the shop, it kept freezing, which meant unplugging the bloody thing and when ejecting the disc the spindle bit you clip the disc to wont stop spinning. It's gone back today and the guy at the shop said not another one. What does it say about the quality?
allan 30 Jan 2013 14:28
19/25
i bought the new ps3 500gb and i got GTA episodes from liberty city its got two games on it the lost and damned & the ballad of gat tony. For some reason the console wont load the ballad of gay tony but plays the lost and damned has anyone got the same problem? I tuck the game back to the shop and got them to change the disc but i still have the same problem.
kev 7 Feb 2013 16:27
20/25
shouldnt be standing new super slim up !!! hence pads on bottom !!! However saying that mine is a few months old and the hard drive makes some seriously loud noises which it never did when first owned @Jack
Wisdom 12 Feb 2013 15:13
21/25
@Yash_Rasti Cheap plastic's an indication that the product itself is cheaply made. And Cat, you realize this is a review page, correct? If you don't like reading what people have to say, don't... Yash & Cat: 2 Common Sense: 0
MH3U 19 Feb 2013 05:17
22/25
Lucky I read more about the super slim b4 buying one I rather get a PS3 Slim instead thnx for all the info people.
ps3 superslim is the shit 24 Apr 2013 03:29
23/25
all of you are some f**king retards
Dildouche the mighty 21 May 2013 13:00
24/25
@Roberto_ maybe if you werent an idiot and put your ps3 where your retard kid couldn't get to it, you wouldn't have s**t like crackers and bread in your system, you f**king dimwit
mike olsen 31 May 2013 18:29
25/25
I bought a limited edition white super slim 3 days ago. Played it for those 3 Days and it died. Completely dead won't even turn on. Called Sony and they told me it was most likely a faulty power supply. Went and exchanged it for a new one today. We'll see how number two goes.
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