Sony gives its PS3 a well-deserved facelift
The Age
Thursday September 3, 2009
It's slimmer, quieter and uses less power but above all, it's much cheaper, writes Mike Wilcox.GAME consoles, like all modern technology, are superseded by more advanced models every few years. Unlike the consoles from Nintendo and Microsoft though, Sony Computer Entertainment's stable of PlayStation consoles also receive at least one make-over during their life cycle. The PlayStation 3's first facelift launches today.In line with previous revisions of Sony consoles, this revamp of the PS3 focuses on a new form factor and lower price point rather than ground-breaking new features. The reduction in price, size and weight are due mainly to a redesign of internal components, resulting in a console about a third smaller and lighter and that consumes a third less power.While there are no significant improvements in overall performance from any internal changes, the new console runs noticeably cooler and quieter. The hard drive, used for storing game-related content as well as optional music, photos and videos, has been increased in capacity to 120 gigabytes.In addition to the reduced form factor, this new model, nicknamed the "PlayStation 3 slim", sees the original stylish glossy black exterior and chrome trim replaced with a more casual-looking textured black finish sporting a new-look PS3 logo engraved into the top.Coinciding with the launch of the console is the latest firmware revision, version 3.00, which can be downloaded to both new and older PS3 consoles. This system update also concentrates mainly on visual improvements, including support for new backdrop themes. Additional information, such as new messages and friends online, is now also displayed along with the time and date on the main menu. Another improved feature is the "What's New" section, which provides dynamic information on the latest news from PlayStation, including recently announced titles, video trailers and links to download new games from the PlayStation Store. This section also keeps track of the most recently played games on the console and provides shortcuts to fire them up again.This system update also includes a new option for Bravia television owners to use their TV remote control to navigate the console's main menu, as well as turning the console off at the same time as the television.While most other features remain unchanged, a largely untapped option has been removed. This had previously allowed alternative operating systems, such as Linux, to be installed, effectively converting the PS3 into a computer.Slender looks aside, arguably the most attractive feature of the new PS3 is the $200 price cut to $499, which addresses one of the long-standing criticisms of the console. As it successfully did with the revamped PlayStation 2 console, Sony will be banking on this latest addition to the PlayStation family to boost lagging sales and inevitably spark a new price war.
© 2009 The Age
