Is it just me (probably), or is anyone else a little flumaxed at the new Playstation 3 model? Having seen the ads on TV, i thought it was perhaps a little early days for a redesign, but couldn't help think it looked like a nice, smaller machine. I was interested, to say the least, which i suppose is exactly what Sony were going for in redesining and re-marketing the system.

That is, until i saw it on display at my local department store. Sitting there, right next to it's older brother, it looked so silly and underwhelming i couldn't help but feel confused as to why the thing exists in the first place. Dont get me wrong now, i'm talking about the Playstation 3 here. I think after a very rough start it's flowered into a marvellous machine with more than enough to please those with the highest of quality standards.

I speak then, specifically in regard to this new, seemingly pointless iteration of the console. Is it slimmer? Yes, but much in the same way as the PSP Slim and Lite offered a barely noticeable change in dimensions, the latest offering from SCE seems just too minor an update to make sense. It's a bit slimmer, a bit smaller. Not the huge change the PS2 underwent from its original design to the slim version, by any means.

So sure, it's a little bit smaller. Nothing to make you say 'oooh' like a tiny new iteration of the iPod, or a micro-sized laptop. And it's in this regard that it seems so underwhelming. It's not a slim PS3, it's a PS3... but slimmer. And further, the plain, matte, dull, plastic shell makes the machine appear so completely bland and featureless, it looks like a broken man compared to the might of the original standing proudly right next to it, it's glossy finish, curved lines and chrome details all on show.

And that's all i have to say really. What is the point in this new slightly smaller, less attractive console?