Sony PlayStation 3 Slim 320 GB Charcoal Black Console

UPDATE: Aug. 16, 2011 Only wanted to note that the PS3 keeps adding value to itself. Granted, the competition are not sitting on their hands either. The latest system update added Hulu Plus, MLB.TV and Vudu HD Movies to Netflix as 'video' services and Qriocity for 'music'. As for its versatility, I recently paired a Bluetooth keyboard that Logitech claims it's for iPad only with our PS3. It took about 10 seconds. And, yes, I am probably going to get the next generation when it's released but, until then I am very happy with our 2 PS3s. One of which is the original 60GB console, still as good as new. ____________________________________________ PS3 VS. OTHERS :) Ever since the launch of Slim, the PS3 has been undertaking a quiet revolution or... could it be the console's midlife rebound? :) Here's what happened recently - and I will only note the more important developments going 12 months back (writing this in Oct., 2010): - NetFLIX streaming, now disc-less, 1080p, 5.1 surround sound - Much larger disk (this one is triple the size of the original Slim) - Move - 3D gaming - Blu-ray 3D This is a lot of new 'stuff' for a 4 year old console. I am not going to go into bean-counting mode and compare the PS3 improvements with what we see at the other guys but, clearly there is a lot of life in the PS3 and, with the 320GB models, the PS3 continues to maintain the largest disk advantage over the competition, is the only Blu-ray console and, when you consider the services and the array of Sony-made and third party peripherals built around it, the PS3 is a well built, well rounded entertainment hub. THE 320GB MODEL Over the past year or so, Sony added to the original 120GB 'Slim' model, itself a greatly optimized and streamlined PS3, several submodels sporting larger disks: 160GB, 250GB and, with the Move launch, the 360GB version. You can view this model as the original Slim with a three times larger disk or, if you want to take a more recent point of reference, the PS3 Move bundle without the Move. DECIDING WHICH MODEL TO BUY I happen to own the PlayStation 3 320GB System with PlayStation Move Bundle model myself in addition to an upgraded 60GB 'classic' model - our current Blu-ray/DVD player and overall media center - and the Move bundle. We also owned the original 120GB Slim at one time and, before each purchase the main decision wasn't whether to buy a PS3 but rather which model was best suited to our needs. At the time I'm writing this (November 2010) there are 4 basic models to choose from but, since the 250GB sells for the same price as the 320GB, it's safe not to discuss it so the 3 basic options are: A - 160GB model: the original Slim with a slightly larger disk, lowest price, same as the original launch Slim B - 320GB model: sells for $50 more than the 160GB, offers double the storage (this model) C - 320GB Move bundle: for an extra $50 it adds the basic Move peripherals, plus a Move game, same large disk Depending on what your needs are, one of the 3 should make more sense than the other. OPTION A If 'price' is an issue go for this one. The good thing about the PS3 is that it's possible to upgrade the initial disk to a larger one later. I'm not going to go into detailed accounting but, if you can reuse or maybe sell the original 160GB disk, upgrading this model to 500GB can be done at very little cost. Some basic technical skills will be needed. This is the choice for anyone who absolutely NEEDS 500GB (rather than 320GB). OPTION B Those who can use the extra storage - intense gamers or anyone planning to keep thousands of songs and photos on their PS3, are okay with 320GB and therefore don't want to go through the disk upgrade process should go with THIS MODEL. $50 for double the disk capacity is a fair deal in my view. This model makes a lot of sense if you don't care about the Move. OPTION C This is the model I picked because we wanted to have the Move option. It's the best way to enter the Move world at this time. The extra $50 will buy you: * Move motion controller, of course * PlayStation Eye camera (must have one for the Move to work) * Sports Champions (Ping Pong is simply awesome, some of the games play much better with a second controller) * A demo disc so you can see what Move can do for you (most of the demos can be downloaded from the PSN) Given that the price difference over the 'plain vanilla' 320GB model is the price you pay for the Move controller, you basically get the PS3 Eye camera and the Sports Champions game for free - and you can sell the camera if you already have one and the shrink-wrapped game if you have no use for it. In fairness and based on my own experience, you will almost certainly end up buying a second Move motion controller. You may also want a separate charger so keep these in mind when budgeting. But, regardless, this is still the best Move starter. DOES DISK SIZE STILL MATTER? Probably not as much as it used to. In my view, 320GB is probably enough storage to last till the PS4 comes around - and I'm one who did upgrade his original PS3 to 500GB. You can store an enormous amount of photos, songs, demo games, home videos and game installations on 320GB. Two years ago I thought that 500GB were making a lot of sense because movies needed so much space but, since then, the pressure to having huge disks installed on a PS3 lessened a little due to the advent of technologies such as NAS (network attached storage) and Home Servers that allow you to have thousands of GB worth of 'media' stored safely off your PS3 and streamed in when needed. And, of course, Netflix streaming eliminates the need to save many thousands of movies if the somewhat lesser quality is not a big issue. Not everyone may agree but I have no plans to replace the 320GB disk with a larger one at this time. WHAT ELSE YOU MAY WANT/NEED Depending on how you are planning to use the PS3, this is what you don't get but may end up buying eventually: - HDMI cable for HD output (a component cable should work too but you can get a decent HDMI for $3-5 or so) - One or more extra USB wires same as above, don't pay more than $2-3 for one - One more Move Controller if you buy the Move bundle (some games will either require two controllers or will play better with two) - One or two Navigation Controllers (no big pressure because you can use the DualShock in your left hand but it feels weird) - Dedicated charger, especially if you have more than one Move controller or you also have a Navigation controller - PS3 TV remote controller to use when watching movies MY RATING I just love the PS3. I've been a PS3 owner ever since the 60GB classic became available and I've been impressed with the PS3's reliability, versatility and its sheer power - and I've owned both 'classic' and 'slim' models, upgraded most, gave away a couple. In the end it's a matter of personal taste but the PS3 is increasingly the most popular 'gaming' or 'entertainment' implement in our household. And we DO own an Xbox too. I will not go through the long list of PS3's features. It would be an exaggeration to say that it does 'everything' but it does a lot and it's doing it increasingly well. Agreed, features and capabilities do not come for free and sometimes they don't even come cheap (see my list of possible add-ons above) but I can't say that I have the feeling of being constantly nickeled and dimed when I upgrade my PS3 or I buy a Sony-made or a third-party add-on. I have no choice at this time but to order the extra Move and Motion controller from Sony but the charger, the larger disks I used to upgrade my old classic, all of the cables, the headset and so on came or will come from third party vendors and even for the old SixAxis and the remote controller there were alternatives at the time I decided to buy the Sony-made ones. In addition, the 'basic' PS3 console can take you pretty far as it is and you can have a lot of fun without having to spend one extra penny. To conclude, any of the 3 options get 5 stars because the PS3 continues to be being the most feature-rich, well-balanced console you can get these days -- >> Brush your teeth, it's the law! <<

Sony PlayStation 3 Slim (320GB Model) remains a legendary piece of hardware. In 2026, as we move further into the digital-only era, this specific 320GB Charcoal Black unit has become the "Goldilocks" of the PS3 lineup: it's more reliable than the original "Fat" models and boasts a much more premium build quality than the later "Super Slim" top-loaders. Whether you are a retro collector, a trophy hunter, or someone looking for a dedicated Blu-ray and PS1 player, this is the definitive version of the hardware to own. The Engineering: Reliability Meets Design The 320GB Slim was the flagship of the second-generation PS3s. Sony moved away from the "Piano Black" finish that was a magnet for scratches and fingerprints, opting instead for a sophisticated Charcoal Black matte finish. Thermal Management: Unlike the early 60GB/80GB launch models, the Slim runs significantly cooler and quieter. It effectively solved the "Yellow Light of Death" (YLOD) issues that plagued early adopters. Storage: The 320GB HDD was the largest factory drive offered for this form factor. In 2026, this is crucial for housing large digital patches and "Game Data" installs for massive titles like Metal Gear Solid 4 or Gran Turismo 6. The Ultimate Media Hub Even sixteen years after its peak, the PS3 Slim is a high-functioning media center. Blu-ray Excellence: It remains one of the fastest and most reliable Blu-ray players ever made. Backward Compatibility: While it doesn’t play PS2 discs, every PS3 Slim is internally compatible with original PlayStation 1 (PS1) discs, making it a fantastic 2-in-1 machine for retro fans. PROS Physical Buttons: Unlike the touch-sensitive Fat or the sliding-tray Super Slim, this model features satisfying tactile Power and Eject buttons. Quiet Operation: Even under heavy load (like God of War III), the fan noise is minimal compared to modern consoles or older PS3 SKUs. Upgradable Storage: If 320GB isn't enough, the HDD is incredibly easy to access and swap. (See my Pro-Tip below!). Energy Efficient: It draws significantly less power from the wall than the original launch consoles, reducing heat output in your entertainment center. Dual-Voltage Internal Power Supply: Perfect for international collectors; most of these units can handle 110v-240v without an external transformer. CONS No PS2 Support: You cannot play PS2 discs on this model (standard for all Slims). Legacy Wi-Fi: The internal Wi-Fi is 802.11 b/g, which is excruciatingly slow by 2026 standards. I highly recommend using the Ethernet port for any downloads. Controller Desync: As these units age, the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi module can occasionally require a reset, though this is rare on the 320GB model. Overall Input The PS3 Slim 320GB is the "A-Grade" choice for anyone serious about 7th-generation gaming. It is the most stable, aesthetically pleasing, and functional version of the console. It represents an era when Sony prioritized premium build materials and user-serviceable parts. It isn't just a console; it's a gateway to some of the greatest exclusives ever made. Reviewer Pro-Tip: To make this console feel like a PS5 in terms of menu speed, swap the 320GB mechanical HDD for a 512GB or 1TB SATA SSD. While it won't increase in-game frame rates, it drastically reduces "XMB" menu lag and slashes loading times for digital games. Also, if you’re buying used in 2026, ensure the "Warranty Void" sticker is intact—it’s a good indicator that the internals haven't been tampered with! Who is this for? Collectors, fans of physical media, parents looking for an affordable "first console" for kids, and anyone wanting to experience the best library of 2000s-era exclusives.

First off, this is a 320gb console as stated. The USABLE space of a 320gb ps3 is about 298gb. -bit overpriced -came early -appears cleaned out -well functioning charged controller -Hdmi/power cable included -Wifi/ethernet no issues -the right Dvds play -does not eat the dvds -downloaded games play as well as anyone should expect. Been running for a day or two with no issues. Will test disc games and update. I have none right now

Included controller do NOT work, console came dirty without any aesthetic damage, no weird sounds when turned on, PENDING TO VERIFY IF IT’S 320gb because I ordered a new controller!

I will break this review down in categories. The first category will be system only review. The second category will be a system vs system comparison review (PS3 VS XBOX 360). I have decided to leave the technical specifications of each system out of this and base it off of a "what I am seeing" standpoint. About me/Why I purchased: I purchased this system pretty much solely due to all of my friends and family having a PS3 and them putting my already owned XBOX 360 down. I do not consider myself a hardcore gamer by any means and I am virtually limited to playing the Call of Duty franchise of games when I play. I have picked up my share of Madden NFL games and a few others but I mainly play COD with my wife. I have had much fun playing my 360 multi-player but again due to discovering all of my friends/family play modern warfare 3 on PS3 network I decided to give it a go. Finding out my wifes near 50 year old uncle plays it was the tip of the iceberg for us... lol. System Review: Overall, from what I have seen I like. The layout of the PS3 menu is very mature looking, well designed and fairly easy to navigate. One thing that I must say I do not like is the initial set-up was a bit confusing. Xbox set-up was pretty much create a gamer tag and that was it. The PS3 wanted me to both create a user id and a gamer tag upon initial set-up which confused me and I wasn't quite sure which one was which. How dare I want to get stuck with some lame gamer ID, lol. The system is actually quieter than I thought it would be, based on other reviews. I think my Xbox sounds louder during operation than the PS3. However, I always hear the loading disc much more prominent on the PS3 system. Not a big deal. What I really like about the Playstation is the online play is FREE, it is a Blue Ray disc player, (not that I really needed it, our house already has two, including a 3D Blue Ray Disc player, so that matter didn't effect my purchase decision at all but it is nice to have the extra capability in another room. The system did not come with an HDMI cable, which surprised me yet didn't at the same time. I think its cheap of companies who are selling Hi Def equipment without the Hi-Def capable accessories so do yourself a favor if you don't have a spare HDMI cable and get one here on Amazon for a couple of bucks and don't fall for that $90.00 monster cable scam. The system came with one dual shock 3 controller and a USB cable to plug it in and charge with. It did NOT come with a headset w/mic. However, you can use any blue tooth headset with the system so don't rush out and buy one if you do not have to. Warning: The included USB cable is SHORT. My couch is not far from my TV, I would say about 7 feet at most and I have to sit on the edge of the couch to be able to play while its plugged in. There are extension cables that are sold and I would highly recommend one for convenience purposes. Other than that the set-up is fairly straightforward and expected of any typical device. System Comparison: What's better? PS3 VS XBOX 360. I own the highest end unit of each manufacturer and I can safely say that I do not enjoy one better than the other. That's right, it's a draw. What I can tell you though is: I've heard a lot of people say the Playstations graphics are better than the Xbox 360. I have both units hooked up to my 46" Sony Bravia 1080p 3D tv and from my standpoint I must have heard wrong. The PS3 graphics look choppier and rougher cut than the smoother flowing graphics of the 360. Now, before I get attacked I have also heard that this is a game specific battle and some games look better than others on each system so take note to that please but again, like I said I stick with my COD franchise so that's what I care about. Graphics +1 Xbox 360 Network: The Playstation network is FREE. There is an OPTIONAL plus network that you can pay a fee for but it is purely optional and is not required to play online. One thing that irritates me is for something as simple as automatic system updates and downloads you need to be suscribed to this. Why? I don't know but it seems like a small item to be a huge deal and is in my opinion nonsense. Xbox 360's network is much larger, and catered to the "hardcore gamers". However, as previously stated it was completely the opposite for ME as all of my friends and family are on PS3's network. One thing that I will say is there seems to be slightly less lag and connection errors when playing PS3 compared to Xbox 360. I am not tech savvy but maybe this partly is due to less people on the network itself vs XBOX 360 and it doesn't drag it down. Don't mark my words on that but PS3 Network wins here for being free and less glitchy. +1 PS3 Loading Times: We are pretty much out of the ERA of having to wait for our discs to load for 20 minutes just to play. Pretty much. I popped in Gran Turismo the other day because I used to play the original on PS 1 and figured it'd be a nice throwback kick. Wow, I had to install the game on the device just to play it? After waiting several minutes for the install it then asks you if you would like to install more on the hard disc to improve loading times more so it doesn't take so long to load courses and vehicles. I've never had this much of a loading time in my number of years of owning an Xbox 360. The menu navigation of MW3 even takes longer on PS3 compared to Xbox 360. This leads me to believe Xbox 360 has the faster/better handling processor. +1 Xbox 360 Durability: I have just recently purchased my PS3 but from what I have heard they have been proven to be much more reliable than the 360's. I will admit, I have had my share of Xbox 360's due to one falling victim to the red ring of death and other disc reading issues... Now before we get too ahead of ourselves and rush out to buy the PS3 I do want to note that I've read that Microsoft has minimized this issue with the newest generations due to some minor modifications/fixes. However, the number of failed X-box 360's that I've owned I am inclined to give the +1 to playstation as I never hear any of my friends talking about their dead PS3's. +1 PS3 Menu Layout/Marketplace layout/Feel: The PS3 menu and marketplace layout looks much more mature than the XBOX marketplace. Put them side by side and it looks more like the XBOX is tailored to the younger crowd with their themes, avatars, etc. However, despite the many switches they have made with the layout over the years I find it easier to navigate. I am still fairly new to PS3 though so I can't say the layout is better or worse on either system. DRAW. Summary: Again, if you didn't notice I didn't get into technical specs. and I based my review solely from my opinion on how each system performs. I couldn't and wouldn't tell you to buy either system over the other. Both have their perks and both have their drawbacks. If you are looking for affordability/longevity I would say go to the PS3. Especially since it gives you the added bonus of being able to play your netflix, AMAZON INSTANT VIDEO, and Blue Ray discs... Huge perks to me as these are all available free on the PS3 network (assuming you are suscribed to these services). Over the XBOX you need to have a paid gold suscription *Spelling* (I know)... just to access these features. If you are looking for a huge gamer network, and don't mind paying the additional fees for extra services I would have to recommend the xbox 360. The PS3 costs more up front but the residual of the 360 is much higher. On a final note: Something about gamertags, profiles... As a previously said my wife and I BOTH play at the same time. It is very enjoyable playing over XBOX 360 because she can use her profile, I can use my own and we play split screen, have access to each of our own classes, perks, etc and level up individually. On PS3 you can only play under one profile online and the other player shows up as "YOURPROFILE"(1) with no ability to level up individually. This was a huge downer for us and it really bothers us to this day. Xbox does allow for this HOWEVER you have to pay for not one but two gold suscriptions. On amazon a 12 month gold is currently like 45.00. This amounts to an extra $90.00 per year owned/utilized... So the PS3 upfront fees don't seem like much when you start adding up the long term expenses of the XBox 360. Areas of improvement: Include a headset please Make your play/charge USB cable longer Include HDMI cable My Xbox came with an HDMI cable in box as well as a headset w/mic. It did not come with a play and charge kit that I did have to purchase separately. Hope this review helped. Honestly, if you have the money, I would recommend buying both. If you find yourself playing one much more than the other you could always sell it or gift it away to someone less fortunate. Not all games are available on each system so if you find yourself desiring a God of War PS3 is for you. If you find yourself desiring a Gears of War than Xbox is probably right for you. When it comes down to it, it really is all up to the user, you!

Let me start with sorry my photos are of a bunch of stuff and not the system specifically. *** I live on the reviews of customers *** the seller can advertise just about anything to get your attention, but I like to hear from the customers and what their experience was like, did the equipment work? Etc. the PS3 was in excellent condition, as advertised. It was clean, all around. HDMI cable clean and wrapped neatly in the box, controller-clean packaged safely in the box, controller charger- clean and wrapped nice and neat in the box. This was a give for my 13 yr old son. This packaged was packaged so well I didn’t even have to wrap it, just take it out of the brown delivery box! In addition to the games that came with the purchase as part of package. Denver Jaymes also added to extra BONUS games!!!! And not just any games you guys, it brought my son to tears. Sounds dramatic, I know. But this meant that he got Star Wars, Madden, the original Red Dead, and Call of Duty Black Ops. I didn’t know what games we were going to get with the purchase that were included, but the games were all awesome!!! Thank you Denver Jaymes!!!!! So much. I would definitely recommend to buy from this seller, without hesitation.

Good

i know i am little stupid for not looking into this product; however, i know lot of people out there (including me are wondering "wow! 320GB i can store so many games with this HDD for my ps3!" so i was thinking dang i am going to store all of my games to this hard drive and rent all the games i want, but boom! i was wrong, this huge 320GB capacity is for saving games and storing other utilities such as music, movies, or etc. i know i am stupid for not knowing the information, but now i have nothing to do but to save games for this 320GB... thats like 12498124098games saved but not stored for this HDD. i used to play PC games but i decided to give this a try as i thought i could save lot of money but the truth is harsh, also i chose ps3 over XBOX360 because all i saw was 4GB HD for XBOX360 and this 320 GB just made me think that i could store up and play from the hard drive it self. Anyways the online is free (unlike xbox360) and i prefer PS3 graphics over xbox360 games. but my best suggestion is if you are a hardcore gamer play with PC but if you want to play game but to avoid PC games (likemyself, i played WOW and all this addicting games so i decided to quit playing PC games and just play console games as this is not that addicting and you can actually exercise a little by playing PS move games. so basically, i bought PS3 over PC games,Xbox360,Wii for couple reasons. 1. best graphics. 2. free online 3. ps move (if this console didn't have PS move then i would've bought Wii since i wanted a console that i could enjoy it with my family not just bymyself) 4. compared to PC games, it is not addicting but it saved me from becoming a looser as i do love playing video games. Finally i just want to say if you don't care anything about these info i provided but want to play the best addicting/fun/time killing games, go buy good PC and play PC games lol!! (lots of free to play games out there..)