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Not to say these pictures of a slim PS3 are real, but why are people so violently dismissive of the mere concept of a slim PS3? We got the slim PS1 and PS2, after all. Hell, the slim PS2 came out at the same point in the PS2's life as we are now in the PS3's.
Actually it'd be a year earlier (slim ps2 was at 4 years, we're not quite at 3 for ps3). There's no way they've got the cooling for this system down to that small a package yet. Plus the thing looks like shit in those pics...I'm pretty sure they're better at design than that.
Technology improves on an exponential basis. Walk into Motown 35 years ago and tell them you've got their entire production on a postage stamp - they'll laugh you out of the office. Today you can have what is essentially a PS2 in your hands, and the PS2 isn't that old.
The poor visual impression can be chalked up to the mobile camera's resolution, and the only odd thing with the design is the generic matte finish.
Other than maybe timing and the likelihood that it's actually leaked, I don't see what's so hard to believe about this.
Probably because the whole thing is very inconsistent with the direction Sony is going with the PS3.
They've sold little more than 20 million and lose money on every unit after a massive R&D cost - if I was a shareholder I would expect them to make it cheaper to make and/or buy by now.
Kastanj on
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
0
HenroidMexican kicked from Immigration ThreadCentrism is Racism :3Registered Userregular
edited May 2009
Didn't Sony introduce the slim versions of the previous two consoles after the next one was ready and out? Seems early for this.
Didn't Sony introduce the slim versions of the previous two consoles after the next one was ready and out? Seems early for this.
Not with the PS2. The PStwo was announced in September 2004 and released in November 2004. The original PS2 was released in most places in the fall of 2000 so it was about four years. This PS3 will have been out for three years by fall 2009 so it wouldn't be that early.
Didn't Sony introduce the slim versions of the previous two consoles after the next one was ready and out? Seems early for this.
Not with the PS2. The PStwo was announced in September 2004 and released in November 2004. The original PS2 was released in most places in the fall of 2000 so it was about four years. This PS3 will have been out for three years by fall 2009 so it wouldn't be that early.
Didn't Sony introduce the slim versions of the previous two consoles after the next one was ready and out? Seems early for this.
Not with the PS2. The PStwo was announced in September 2004 and released in November 2004. The original PS2 was released in most places in the fall of 2000 so it was about four years. This PS3 will have been out for three years by fall 2009 so it wouldn't be that early.
Yeah but the PS2 made money.
Like I said, I'm sure Sony thinks that making the PS3 slim will be a selling point, and God knows the PS3 needs more selling points. The skeptic in me is predicting the PS3 slim will be yet another incremental upgrade in lieu of an actual price drop, but we'll just have to see.
Wordherder on
Why the crap did I ever make my original name "cloudeagle?"
Not to say these pictures of a slim PS3 are real, but why are people so violently dismissive of the mere concept of a slim PS3? We got the slim PS1 and PS2, after all. Hell, the slim PS2 came out at the same point in the PS2's life as we are now in the PS3's.
Actually it'd be a year earlier (slim ps2 was at 4 years, we're not quite at 3 for ps3). There's no way they've got the cooling for this system down to that small a package yet. Plus the thing looks like shit in those pics...I'm pretty sure they're better at design than that.
Technology improves on an exponential basis. Walk into Motown 35 years ago and tell them you've got their entire production on a postage stamp - they'll laugh you out of the office. Today you can have what is essentially a PS2 in your hands, and the PS2 isn't that old.
The poor visual impression can be chalked up to the mobile camera's resolution, and the only odd thing with the design is the generic matte finish.
Thank you for that excellent summary of obvious computer history. Yes I'm aware that technology has come a long way. I am also aware that mobile camera resolution sucks. Jesus Christ dude. My issue with the design on this obviously fake slimPS3 is the way it curves around on the left, a decision that could not possibly be founded in hardware design. That and I do not believe there is any chance that they have gotten the cooling down on that system to a slimline form.
I mean, Microsoft's QA on the 360 sucked. But do you really believe that JUST after the 360s issues FINALLY appear to be resolved, Sony figured out how to cool/condense the PS3 down to that size? You're giving Sony THAT much more credit?
I don't see how they would have the money to RnD a slim version. Unless it is ungodly stripped down.
The fact that the box says it has a 120gb HDD looks like utter bullshit right there. Yes, its going to be a slim version and be BETTER than some of the SKUs currently out there.
There is nothing about this ordeal that makes me think its even remotely legit.
I don't see why the 120GB HDD is total bullshit. It isn't something crazy like one terabyte, and Sony loves to offer pointless extra GB with their new models. It should use the same kind of HDD too.
When i look at these pictures, i tend to go towards the camp that this thing is real.
Sony has always said that they want to be profitable with the PS3. They've continued to strip out hardware in the PS3 and the case has stayed the same, making it mostly superfluous and wasteful. But if they invested money to downsize the case, move the power brick to an external one, and using a less costly plastic with less curve and angles, they could have a new slim PS3 that could definitely be profitable.
Yes, it's not as classy looking as the original case, but the original case is just ornamental at this point.
Make a more cost effective PS3, aggressively price it and you now have the same people that could get a great BR player as well as a game player and a good price. With BR player pricing coming down, now's the time to do this.
I'm no expert, but this is my opinion on the matter.
H*R on
Nintendo Network: WarrenMSP 3DS: 4184-2362-9697 PSN: Skywarrd
Not to say these pictures of a slim PS3 are real, but why are people so violently dismissive of the mere concept of a slim PS3? We got the slim PS1 and PS2, after all. Hell, the slim PS2 came out at the same point in the PS2's life as we are now in the PS3's.
Actually it'd be a year earlier (slim ps2 was at 4 years, we're not quite at 3 for ps3). There's no way they've got the cooling for this system down to that small a package yet. Plus the thing looks like shit in those pics...I'm pretty sure they're better at design than that.
Technology improves on an exponential basis. Walk into Motown 35 years ago and tell them you've got their entire production on a postage stamp - they'll laugh you out of the office. Today you can have what is essentially a PS2 in your hands, and the PS2 isn't that old.
The poor visual impression can be chalked up to the mobile camera's resolution, and the only odd thing with the design is the generic matte finish.
Thank you for that excellent summary of obvious computer history. Yes I'm aware that technology has come a long way. I am also aware that mobile camera resolution sucks. Jesus Christ dude. My issue with the design on this obviously fake slimPS3 is the way it curves around on the left, a decision that could not possibly be founded in hardware design. That and I do not believe there is any chance that they have gotten the cooling down on that system to a slimline form.
I mean, Microsoft's QA on the 360 sucked. But do you really believe that JUST after the 360s issues FINALLY appear to be resolved, Sony figured out how to cool/condense the PS3 down to that size? You're giving Sony THAT much more credit?
Because Sony hardware sucks that much less than the MS stuff? The 360 designed was inherently flawed, the PS3's was not. That puts Sony like 10 steps ahead of the MS hardware R&D.
I'm not saying this is real, I'm saying that it isn't totally out of the question. The 360 "solved" it's problem with chips that draw less power and create less heat. Isn't everything still in the same place? Why couldn't Sony develop cell procs that require less power and generate less heat as well? Besides the dimensions in those pics make it look like a giant pancake, ala rackmount. It only looks slimmer and not actually smaller so far.
Edit: Hmmm maybe it does look smaller on second sight.
The hard drive isn't that big of a deal. Microsoft put bigger HDDs in the later oXboxen because they had found a supplier that offered bigger drives for cheaper. A similar thing could happen this Sony now.
Not to say these pictures of a slim PS3 are real, but why are people so violently dismissive of the mere concept of a slim PS3? We got the slim PS1 and PS2, after all. Hell, the slim PS2 came out at the same point in the PS2's life as we are now in the PS3's.
Actually it'd be a year earlier (slim ps2 was at 4 years, we're not quite at 3 for ps3). There's no way they've got the cooling for this system down to that small a package yet. Plus the thing looks like shit in those pics...I'm pretty sure they're better at design than that.
Technology improves on an exponential basis. Walk into Motown 35 years ago and tell them you've got their entire production on a postage stamp - they'll laugh you out of the office. Today you can have what is essentially a PS2 in your hands, and the PS2 isn't that old.
The poor visual impression can be chalked up to the mobile camera's resolution, and the only odd thing with the design is the generic matte finish.
Thank you for that excellent summary of obvious computer history. Yes I'm aware that technology has come a long way. I am also aware that mobile camera resolution sucks. Jesus Christ dude. My issue with the design on this obviously fake slimPS3 is the way it curves around on the left, a decision that could not possibly be founded in hardware design. That and I do not believe there is any chance that they have gotten the cooling down on that system to a slimline form.
I mean, Microsoft's QA on the 360 sucked. But do you really believe that JUST after the 360s issues FINALLY appear to be resolved, Sony figured out how to cool/condense the PS3 down to that size? You're giving Sony THAT much more credit?
Because Sony hardware sucks that much less than the MS stuff? The 360 designed was inherently flawed, the PS3's was not. That puts Sony like 10 steps ahead of the MS hardware R&D.
I'm not saying this is real, I'm saying that it isn't totally out of the question. The 360 "solved" it's problem with chips that draw less power and create less heat. Isn't everything still in the same place? Why couldn't Sony develop cell procs that require less power and generate less heat as well? Besides the dimensions in those pics make it look like a giant pancake, ala rackmount. It only looks slimmer and not actually smaller so far.
Edit: Hmmm maybe it does look smaller on second sight.
10 steps ahead? LOLOLOL Clearly someone has never heard of the Yellow Light of Death or seen how many results you get for "broken PS3" on eBay. PS3s are just as crappy as 360s, except they cost more and fewer people buy them and use them.
Not to say these pictures of a slim PS3 are real, but why are people so violently dismissive of the mere concept of a slim PS3? We got the slim PS1 and PS2, after all. Hell, the slim PS2 came out at the same point in the PS2's life as we are now in the PS3's.
Actually it'd be a year earlier (slim ps2 was at 4 years, we're not quite at 3 for ps3). There's no way they've got the cooling for this system down to that small a package yet. Plus the thing looks like shit in those pics...I'm pretty sure they're better at design than that.
Technology improves on an exponential basis. Walk into Motown 35 years ago and tell them you've got their entire production on a postage stamp - they'll laugh you out of the office. Today you can have what is essentially a PS2 in your hands, and the PS2 isn't that old.
The poor visual impression can be chalked up to the mobile camera's resolution, and the only odd thing with the design is the generic matte finish.
Thank you for that excellent summary of obvious computer history. Yes I'm aware that technology has come a long way. I am also aware that mobile camera resolution sucks. Jesus Christ dude. My issue with the design on this obviously fake slimPS3 is the way it curves around on the left, a decision that could not possibly be founded in hardware design. That and I do not believe there is any chance that they have gotten the cooling down on that system to a slimline form.
I mean, Microsoft's QA on the 360 sucked. But do you really believe that JUST after the 360s issues FINALLY appear to be resolved, Sony figured out how to cool/condense the PS3 down to that size? You're giving Sony THAT much more credit?
Because Sony hardware sucks that much less than the MS stuff? The 360 designed was inherently flawed, the PS3's was not. That puts Sony like 10 steps ahead of the MS hardware R&D.
I'm not saying this is real, I'm saying that it isn't totally out of the question. The 360 "solved" it's problem with chips that draw less power and create less heat. Isn't everything still in the same place? Why couldn't Sony develop cell procs that require less power and generate less heat as well? Besides the dimensions in those pics make it look like a giant pancake, ala rackmount. It only looks slimmer and not actually smaller so far.
Edit: Hmmm maybe it does look smaller on second sight.
10 steps ahead? LOLOLOL Clearly someone has never heard of the Yellow Light of Death or seen how many results you get for "broken PS3" on eBay. PS3s are just as crappy as 360s, except they cost more and fewer people buy them and use them.
Wrong. Searching eBay for "broken PS3" and getting a lot of results is purely anecdotal. Do some research.
phekno on
0
RentI'm always rightFuckin' deal with itRegistered Userregular
10 steps ahead? LOLOLOL Clearly someone has never heard of the Yellow Light of Death or seen how many results you get for "broken PS3" on eBay. PS3s are just as crappy as 360s, except they cost more and fewer people buy them and use them.
Wrong. Searching eBay for "broken PS3" and getting a lot of results is purely anecdotal. Do some research.
alrighty fanboys.
The 360 sucks but the PS3 is also crap. Neither one is bulletproof. Neither one is as reliable as a PC is. One has an enormous power bar. The other is enormous itself and has a stupid domed top on it so you can't stack anything on it. One has crap backwards compatibility, the other has arbitrary support for old games. MS will replace your box in less than three weeks and have massively extended their warranty to cover the most common problems. Sony will replace your PS3, but will replace it with whatever model they feel like so your 100% BC PS3 might get replaced with a system with no BC at all.
IBM develops the CPU for both the Xbox and the PS3. Both shrink at roughly the same rate. Sony moved to a 65nm/90nm cpu/gpu combination at almost the exact time the Xbox 360 did. I wouldn't be surprised if an Xbox "slim" was in development as last I heard they were working on combining the cpu/gpu onto a single chip. 45nm cells were to begin manufacturing this year as I recall.
Rakai on
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]XBL: Rakayn | PS3: Rakayn | Steam ID
10 steps ahead? LOLOLOL Clearly someone has never heard of the Yellow Light of Death or seen how many results you get for "broken PS3" on eBay. PS3s are just as crappy as 360s, except they cost more and fewer people buy them and use them.
Wrong. Searching eBay for "broken PS3" and getting a lot of results is purely anecdotal. Do some research.
alrighty fanboys.
The 360 sucks but the PS3 is also crap. Neither one is bulletproof. Neither one is as reliable as a PC is. One has an enormous power bar. The other is enormous itself and has a stupid domed top on it so you can't stack anything on it. One has crap backwards compatibility, the other has arbitrary support for old games. MS will replace your box in less than three weeks and have massively extended their warranty to cover the most common problems. Sony will replace your PS3, but will replace it with whatever model they feel like so your 100% BC PS3 might get replaced with a system with no BC at all.
All three current gen consoles are shit.
So...you're a PC fanboy then. Anyway enough with that.
The PS3 and Wii don't have nearly the failure rates of what 360's have had for years. Not even close. Hardware always has a failure rate. And no, from what I read on the Sony forums, they will actually work on your own PS3 and fix it, rather than send back some other random trash a la 360 replacement, but I'm sure you can opt to get the first available one if you don't care.
10 steps ahead? LOLOLOL Clearly someone has never heard of the Yellow Light of Death or seen how many results you get for "broken PS3" on eBay. PS3s are just as crappy as 360s, except they cost more and fewer people buy them and use them.
Wrong. Searching eBay for "broken PS3" and getting a lot of results is purely anecdotal. Do some research.
alrighty fanboys.
The 360 sucks but the PS3 is also crap. Neither one is bulletproof. Neither one is as reliable as a PC is. One has an enormous power bar. The other is enormous itself and has a stupid domed top on it so you can't stack anything on it. One has crap backwards compatibility, the other has arbitrary support for old games. MS will replace your box in less than three weeks and have massively extended their warranty to cover the most common problems. Sony will replace your PS3, but will replace it with whatever model they feel like so your 100% BC PS3 might get replaced with a system with no BC at all.
All three current gen consoles are shit.
So...you're a PC fanboy then. Anyway enough with that.
The PS3 and Wii don't have nearly the failure rates of what 360's have had for years. Not even close. Hardware always has a failure rate. And no, from what I read on the Sony forums, they will actually work on your own PS3 and fix it, rather than send back some other random trash a la 360 replacement, but I'm sure you can opt to get the first available one if you don't care.
They do in fact repair your PS3 and send it back. My original 60 GB broke and we sent it away to get fixed. The guy on the phone even offered to buy it because he wanted the BC.
I hope this is true, and that slim ps3 means a lower price. Im going to be moving out in a couple of months, and a more compact(and cheaper) ps3 would be perfect. I honestly dont think the thing in the pictures look so bad, but the ive never really cared much about how the consoles look aslong as they play the games.
I just saw a picture of a sort of cloud black finish on some special edition PS3. Looked sexy - would make this hypothetical PS Three all the more attractive.
Kastanj on
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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The_SpaniardIt's never lupinesIrvine, CaliforniaRegistered Userregular
They do in fact repair your PS3 and send it back. My original 60 GB broke and we sent it away to get fixed. The guy on the phone even offered to buy it because he wanted the BC.
That's a clear sign that you did a stupid fucking thing by removing BC Sony, when your own employees are offering to buy busted 60gigers from customers.
I just saw a picture of a sort of cloud black finish on some special edition PS3. Looked sexy - would make this hypothetical PS Three all the more attractive.
I'm going to post my thoughts on this.
Possibilities:
1. Photoshop-I don't think anybody has claimed the pictured are photoshops and they don't look like photoshops, but this is still a possibility. I don't think this is likely.
2. Chinese knockoff-The photos don't make it look like a knockoff. Knockoffs usually don't have boxes claiming to be exactly that system except . They usually have names like Somy. The PS3 plastic parts shown match up with the PS3 ports. A knockoff wouldn't have that. If this was a knockoff claiming to be the real deal, why create packaging different from all of the other PS3 packaging? It would just be easier to steal the already existing packaging. It being a knockoff would explain hwy it looks duller.
3. Hoax not using photoshop-The person would need to create the plastic parts shown and also design the box and actually get someone to make the box. The background also matches what the PS3 manufacturing places actually look like so he would either need access to some manufacturing places or have really good attention to detail. It is possible, but I don't see any hoaxers being that dedicated.
4. It is real-If the thing is supposed to be a mock up for internal use, it would make sense and explain the kind of odd packaging (the PS3 isn't laid out in a way to show how much slimmer it is).
We aren't seeing the entire packing though, part of it is off the screen of the camera, as well as folded under. I'm willing to be the side "thin" shots are on the sides we can't see.
May 15, 2009 - Rumors circulated the internet yesterday regarding a supposedly leaked set of photos of Sony's "PS3 Slim." Previous hardware choices on Sony's part, including the slimmer PS2 and the PSP-2000, would suggest that Sony would eventually create a slimmer version of its powerhouse hardware, but would it be so soon after the system's launch?
Today, we received word that a trustworthy US GameStop employee discussed the matter with a Sony merchandizing representative. When the leaked photos were brought up in private conversation, the merchandizing representative was immediately surprised that the photos were "released already," but then hastily dismissed the subject when the rep realized that it was regarding a rumor. Could this reaction indicate that the PS3 Slim is more real than we originally thought?
We certainly take this information with a grain of salt, but it at least enhances the possibility that a PS3 Slim will arrive sometime in the future.
Posts
Technology improves on an exponential basis. Walk into Motown 35 years ago and tell them you've got their entire production on a postage stamp - they'll laugh you out of the office. Today you can have what is essentially a PS2 in your hands, and the PS2 isn't that old.
The poor visual impression can be chalked up to the mobile camera's resolution, and the only odd thing with the design is the generic matte finish.
I never asked for this!
What do you mean?
Is there a reason I can't see the PS3 logo thingie on the PS3 on the box?
They've sold little more than 20 million and lose money on every unit after a massive R&D cost - if I was a shareholder I would expect them to make it cheaper to make and/or buy by now.
Not with the PS2. The PStwo was announced in September 2004 and released in November 2004. The original PS2 was released in most places in the fall of 2000 so it was about four years. This PS3 will have been out for three years by fall 2009 so it wouldn't be that early.
I never asked for this!
Like I said, I'm sure Sony thinks that making the PS3 slim will be a selling point, and God knows the PS3 needs more selling points. The skeptic in me is predicting the PS3 slim will be yet another incremental upgrade in lieu of an actual price drop, but we'll just have to see.
Thank you for that excellent summary of obvious computer history. Yes I'm aware that technology has come a long way. I am also aware that mobile camera resolution sucks. Jesus Christ dude. My issue with the design on this obviously fake slimPS3 is the way it curves around on the left, a decision that could not possibly be founded in hardware design. That and I do not believe there is any chance that they have gotten the cooling down on that system to a slimline form.
I mean, Microsoft's QA on the 360 sucked. But do you really believe that JUST after the 360s issues FINALLY appear to be resolved, Sony figured out how to cool/condense the PS3 down to that size? You're giving Sony THAT much more credit?
PSN: TheScrublet
The fact that the box says it has a 120gb HDD looks like utter bullshit right there. Yes, its going to be a slim version and be BETTER than some of the SKUs currently out there.
There is nothing about this ordeal that makes me think its even remotely legit.
Critical Failures - Havenhold Campaign • August St. Cloud (Human Ranger)
Sony has always said that they want to be profitable with the PS3. They've continued to strip out hardware in the PS3 and the case has stayed the same, making it mostly superfluous and wasteful. But if they invested money to downsize the case, move the power brick to an external one, and using a less costly plastic with less curve and angles, they could have a new slim PS3 that could definitely be profitable.
Yes, it's not as classy looking as the original case, but the original case is just ornamental at this point.
Make a more cost effective PS3, aggressively price it and you now have the same people that could get a great BR player as well as a game player and a good price. With BR player pricing coming down, now's the time to do this.
I'm no expert, but this is my opinion on the matter.
3DS: 4184-2362-9697
PSN: Skywarrd
Because Sony hardware sucks that much less than the MS stuff? The 360 designed was inherently flawed, the PS3's was not. That puts Sony like 10 steps ahead of the MS hardware R&D.
I'm not saying this is real, I'm saying that it isn't totally out of the question. The 360 "solved" it's problem with chips that draw less power and create less heat. Isn't everything still in the same place? Why couldn't Sony develop cell procs that require less power and generate less heat as well? Besides the dimensions in those pics make it look like a giant pancake, ala rackmount. It only looks slimmer and not actually smaller so far.
Edit: Hmmm maybe it does look smaller on second sight.
FFBE: 898,311,440
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/dElementalor
3DS: 4184-2362-9697
PSN: Skywarrd
Shamelessly stolen: the motherboards for original PS3 and newer ones:
However, I think most of the space is taken up by the fan. Let me see if I can find a picture.
Edit:
http://www.gamespot.com/pages/forums/show_msgs.php?topic_id=26206406&page=1
10 steps ahead? LOLOLOL Clearly someone has never heard of the Yellow Light of Death or seen how many results you get for "broken PS3" on eBay. PS3s are just as crappy as 360s, except they cost more and fewer people buy them and use them.
Wrong. Searching eBay for "broken PS3" and getting a lot of results is purely anecdotal. Do some research.
I want to sig this so hard oh wait goddamn it
alrighty fanboys.
The 360 sucks but the PS3 is also crap. Neither one is bulletproof. Neither one is as reliable as a PC is. One has an enormous power bar. The other is enormous itself and has a stupid domed top on it so you can't stack anything on it. One has crap backwards compatibility, the other has arbitrary support for old games. MS will replace your box in less than three weeks and have massively extended their warranty to cover the most common problems. Sony will replace your PS3, but will replace it with whatever model they feel like so your 100% BC PS3 might get replaced with a system with no BC at all.
All three current gen consoles are shit.
So...you're a PC fanboy then. Anyway enough with that.
The PS3 and Wii don't have nearly the failure rates of what 360's have had for years. Not even close. Hardware always has a failure rate. And no, from what I read on the Sony forums, they will actually work on your own PS3 and fix it, rather than send back some other random trash a la 360 replacement, but I'm sure you can opt to get the first available one if you don't care.
PC's are reliable, as long as you didn't get a certain makes and models of video cards:
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Nvidia-GPU-failure,6248.html
Kinda like the console market. =P
FFBE: 898,311,440
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/dElementalor
You can go relax in the Mac/PC thread.
ohgod
They do in fact repair your PS3 and send it back. My original 60 GB broke and we sent it away to get fixed. The guy on the phone even offered to buy it because he wanted the BC.
Ceterum autem censeo, Carthaginem esse delendam
Image:
http://img.qj.net/uploads/articles_module/130424/f5.png
It is pretty.
Possibilities:
1. Photoshop-I don't think anybody has claimed the pictured are photoshops and they don't look like photoshops, but this is still a possibility. I don't think this is likely.
2. Chinese knockoff-The photos don't make it look like a knockoff. Knockoffs usually don't have boxes claiming to be exactly that system except . They usually have names like Somy. The PS3 plastic parts shown match up with the PS3 ports. A knockoff wouldn't have that. If this was a knockoff claiming to be the real deal, why create packaging different from all of the other PS3 packaging? It would just be easier to steal the already existing packaging. It being a knockoff would explain hwy it looks duller.
3. Hoax not using photoshop-The person would need to create the plastic parts shown and also design the box and actually get someone to make the box. The background also matches what the PS3 manufacturing places actually look like so he would either need access to some manufacturing places or have really good attention to detail. It is possible, but I don't see any hoaxers being that dedicated.
4. It is real-If the thing is supposed to be a mock up for internal use, it would make sense and explain the kind of odd packaging (the PS3 isn't laid out in a way to show how much slimmer it is).
http://ps3.ign.com/articles/983/983279p1.html
What do these traveling reps know anyway? you could probably convince one that their own next console is coming out soon.
The request for withdrawal of the photos is the most convincing thing, it's the first thing I look for in each of these web rumor cases.