5 ms·

It's interesting that they didn't do a big horse and pony show for new models of consoles these days. Historically console manufacturers would use updates like

It's interesting that they didn't do a big horse and pony show for new models of consoles these days. Historically console manufacturers would use updates like these to push a new "slim" model or whatever, but nowadays it's done without much fanfare. Perhaps they sell enough either way that there's no point in making a spectacle of it. I always like to wait for the first revision of hardware to buy in, since better thermals generally mean better longevity of the overall hardware.

monocasa 4y ago
They update internals many times without changing the case design generally. The reason is cost reduction. Smaller dies mean more dies per wafer. Thermal reduction implies you can get away with a less beefy power supply and thermal management solution, etc.
Sephr 4y ago
You can't make a 'slim' model as easily with these minor efficiency improvements.
- mikepurvis 4y ago
  Indeed, and there will absolutely be a “real” slim version, probably in the next year or so. The existing case is massive and mostly empty— so it’s really a matter of getting the thermals under control, whether via a better airflow design or by die size reduction and therefore power/heat savings at the source.
  - stevezsa8 4y ago
    I'd agree. The Series X has atleast 2 large cavities near the intake and outflow vents. These alone must take up like 5%+ of the volume.
    - mikepurvis 4y ago
      Well, and just the history, that literally every prior generation of PlayStation had one or more eventual size-reduced versions come out, though the time gap is clearly shrinking: PSX launch was 1994, PSone in 2000. PS2 launch was 2000, slim in 2004. PS3 launch was 2006, slim in 2009, super slim in 2012. PS4 launch was 2013, slim + pro in 2016. It's interesting to see them roll out power-reduction die shrinks on the launch chassis— presumably they'll be able to monitor telemetry on these units over time and that'll allow them to build confidence on moving into a chassis with a drastically-reduced size and weight footprint. Given that the PS5 launched in late 2020, it's not unreasonable to expect a PS5 slim for the 2023 holiday season.
paulryanrogers 4y ago
Sometimes they drop ports or backward compatibility though.
goosedragons 4y ago
That's because this isn't a new slim model, just a minor internal revision. These never got big fanfare. There's like 10 different PS2 revisions for example and a similar number of PS3 revisions. Highlighting that you removed a handful of LEDs to save 43 cents on each unit isn't usually done. Occasionally there is a bigish difference like the original PS2s having their PCMIA slot replaced with a HDD slot or the slimline PS2 getting an integrated power supply near the end but often it wasn't visible unless you opened the unit and compared. The only time I remember people seriously caring was for the 360 where every new revision was speculated to be the fix for RROD.
- bpye 4y ago
  It does have lower power requirements though - so it seems like they could have made it somewhat smaller but decided not to?
  - rbanffy 4y ago
    Retooling also has a cost. And the lower power with the precious heat sink and fan can make the console more reliable, reducing warranty expenses. This is all a guess, of course. I don’t have any of these numbers.
  - philistine 4y ago
    They’re doubling down on their ugly design.
chippiewill 4y ago
It's probably just too early in the product lifecycle for a slim model. The PS4 just barely eaked one out at the 2 year mark because the XBone and PS4 were pretty dated hardware when they released, the PS3 took 3 years, PS2 took 5 years The slim "PS One" took 6 years. Capacity for die shrinks is probably a bit tight at the moment given the chip shortages and the fact that Apple are basically buying all TSMC production capacity on stuff that's vaguely new. The 6nm process they've just picked up for the PS5 refresh was coming online when the PS5 was first released. I imagine we'll see a true slim when Sony / AMD are able to get enough capacity on the 5nm or 4nm process.
- hbn 4y ago
  Wasn't the PS4 slim released at the 3 year mark? PS4 launched end of 2013, slim came end of 2016.

monocasa 4y ago

They update internals many times without changing the case design generally. The reason is cost reduction. Smaller dies mean more dies per wafer. Thermal reduction implies you can get away with a less beefy power supply and thermal management solution, etc.

Sephr 4y ago

You can't make a 'slim' model as easily with these minor efficiency improvements.

mikepurvis 4y ago
Indeed, and there will absolutely be a “real” slim version, probably in the next year or so. The existing case is massive and mostly empty— so it’s really a matter of getting the thermals under control, whether via a better airflow design or by die size reduction and therefore power/heat savings at the source.
- stevezsa8 4y ago
  I'd agree. The Series X has atleast 2 large cavities near the intake and outflow vents. These alone must take up like 5%+ of the volume.
  - mikepurvis 4y ago
    Well, and just the history, that literally every prior generation of PlayStation had one or more eventual size-reduced versions come out, though the time gap is clearly shrinking: PSX launch was 1994, PSone in 2000. PS2 launch was 2000, slim in 2004. PS3 launch was 2006, slim in 2009, super slim in 2012. PS4 launch was 2013, slim + pro in 2016. It's interesting to see them roll out power-reduction die shrinks on the launch chassis— presumably they'll be able to monitor telemetry on these units over time and that'll allow them to build confidence on moving into a chassis with a drastically-reduced size and weight footprint. Given that the PS5 launched in late 2020, it's not unreasonable to expect a PS5 slim for the 2023 holiday season.

paulryanrogers 4y ago

Sometimes they drop ports or backward compatibility though.

goosedragons 4y ago

That's because this isn't a new slim model, just a minor internal revision. These never got big fanfare. There's like 10 different PS2 revisions for example and a similar number of PS3 revisions. Highlighting that you removed a handful of LEDs to save 43 cents on each unit isn't usually done. Occasionally there is a bigish difference like the original PS2s having their PCMIA slot replaced with a HDD slot or the slimline PS2 getting an integrated power supply near the end but often it wasn't visible unless you opened the unit and compared. The only time I remember people seriously caring was for the 360 where every new revision was speculated to be the fix for RROD.

bpye 4y ago
It does have lower power requirements though - so it seems like they could have made it somewhat smaller but decided not to?
- rbanffy 4y ago
  Retooling also has a cost. And the lower power with the precious heat sink and fan can make the console more reliable, reducing warranty expenses. This is all a guess, of course. I don’t have any of these numbers.
- philistine 4y ago
  They’re doubling down on their ugly design.

chippiewill 4y ago

It's probably just too early in the product lifecycle for a slim model. The PS4 just barely eaked one out at the 2 year mark because the XBone and PS4 were pretty dated hardware when they released, the PS3 took 3 years, PS2 took 5 years The slim "PS One" took 6 years. Capacity for die shrinks is probably a bit tight at the moment given the chip shortages and the fact that Apple are basically buying all TSMC production capacity on stuff that's vaguely new. The 6nm process they've just picked up for the PS5 refresh was coming online when the PS5 was first released. I imagine we'll see a true slim when Sony / AMD are able to get enough capacity on the 5nm or 4nm process.

hbn 4y ago
Wasn't the PS4 slim released at the 3 year mark? PS4 launched end of 2013, slim came end of 2016.