Sony Playstation 3 and PSP Sony PlayStation 3 Slim games console
Sony PlayStation 3 Slim, £250
Sony’s PlayStation 3 Slim is a high-definition gaming system which will impress everyone with its stunning graphics and gaming.
The PS3 Slim comes with a 160GB or 320GB hard drive as standard, though this can be upgraded, and a DualShock 3 controller.
Handily, the DualShock controller can be used when connected to the PS3 by the supplied USB cable, which will also charge the controller (but only while the PlayStation 3 is turned on).
When charging is complete, you can remove the cable and enjoy wireless gaming. The nice thing here is that the rechargeable batteries are supplied as standard, and you don’t necessarily need to get an additional charging dock.
Setting up the Sony PlayStation 3 Slim
System set-up with the PlayStation 3 is simple, with only a few procedures to follow. Within a few minutes of getting it out of the box, you can be immersed in HD gameplay.
There are a huge number of games to choose from, including several family titles – though the range of 18-rated games available suggests that the PS3 console is aimed more at adult users.
Hooking the PS3 up to the internet is easy and can be done wirelessly or via an ethernet lead, depending on your home set-up. A browser is pre-loaded on the PS3 Slim, so you can get online immediately.
There is also a pre-installed shortcut that takes you straight to BBC iPlayer, so you can catch up on any BBC TV you've missed via your PS3, and watch it on your TV screen without the need to hook up your computer.
Not sure the PlayStation 3 is for you? Read our Microsoft Xbox 360 review instead.
PS3 online capabilities
Online gaming
Online gaming with the PS3 is both free and easy. We tried it out with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and were in a team game within minutes. Playing online is a great way to extend a game’s life beyond the supplied levels, as you can pit your skills against other players from around the world, or you can just play against friends.
Downloading from the PlayStation store
The PlayStation store allows you to download a range of movie trailers, game demos, game expansion packs and themes that enable you to customise your PS3 system. Games range in price from £3.49 to £39.99. You're required to sign up to the PlayStation Network before you can buy anything, but this is simple to do and the basis service is free of charge.
The PlayStation Plus service charges a monthly fee, much like Microsoft's Xbox Live, and offers users exclusive content, such as early demos of new games and regular game downloads.
Watching music videos with PS3's Vidzone
Another online feature of Sony's PS3 is its new Vidzone which allows you to access a whole range of music. It's not all-encompassing, but it is massive. It's free to use, and lets you watch music videos and create your own playlists. However, you'll have to pay if you want to download your own copies.
Blu-ray on the PlayStation 3 Slim
The PS3 can play Blu-ray discs
The final trick up the PS3's sleeve is its ability to play Blu-ray discs. While our testing showed it doesn't compete with a Best Buy Blu-ray player, it does deliver an acceptable picture.
As well as standard Blu-ray, the PS3 can also now play 3D Blu-ray Discs, thanks to a firmware update. Bear in mind that you may need to download the latest update for the console before you are able to utilise this function, and watching 3D films does require a 3D TV.
One gripe is that while a standard AV lead is supplied with the PS3, there's no HDMI lead. Much is made of the PS3’s ability to play Blu-ray discs, but you can't do this until you've brought an HDMI cable. However, there is no need to buy the official PlayStation product; any HDMI lead will suffice.
If you intend to watch lots of films via your PS3, whether on disc or downloaded, then it may be worth considering getting the more traditional remote control. While you can search DVD menus with the games controller without too much difficulty, it lacks some functionality and is not as comfortable or as easy to use as a traditional remote.
Pros: Great graphics, plays Blu-ray discs, hard drive can be upgraded, can play some PS1 games, can run BBC iPlayer, can store photos, movies and MP3 files on the hard drive, excellent free online gaming.
Cons: Few family-friendly games, can't play PS2 games, no SD card or flash ports (data must first be transferred to a disc or USB drive), no HDMI lead supplied.
PlayStation Move
The PlayStation Move is Sony's answer to the Nintendo Wii, and does away with the traditional controller, replacing it with a wand-like device which reacts to the player's motions. The Move features a ball of light on the top which is tracked by the Playstation Eye camera, making for a more accurate control than the one offered by the Wii.
Read our impressions of the PlayStation Move.
Sony PlayStation 3 Slim specs
What’s in the box?
Sony PS3 games console, AC lead, standard AV connection leads, Sixaxis Dualshock 3 wireless controller, USB mini cable, Ethernet cable.
Extras worth considering
To make the most out of your PS3 console, you may want to think about getting the following extras:
- extra controller
- HDMI lead
- Blu-ray remote.
Find out more about Sony PlayStation accessories.
File types
The following file types can be played/displayed:
- Image: JPEG , TIFF, BMP, GIF, PNG
- Music: Memory Stick Audio Format (ATRAC), MP3, MP4, WAVE, WMA
- Video: Memory Stick Video Format (MPEG-4, MPEG-2 TS, MP4 file format (MPEG-4), MPEG-1, MPEG-2 PS, MPEG-2 TS, AVI, AVCHD, DivX, WMV.
