Here is why I'm getting a Playstation 4 Slim, not Pro

Martin Brinkmann
Sep 13, 2016
Updated • May 22, 2018
Games
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19

Sony announced two new versions of its popular gaming console Playstation 4 last week that will be out later this year.

The Playstation 4 Slim is a slimmed down model of the original Playstation, while the Playstation 4 Pro ships with better hardware that improves the console's performance and prepares it better for Playstation VR.

With three systems to choose from, making the right choice may not be as easy as it sounds. Even if you take the original Playstation 4 out of the picture, you are still left with two consoles to choose from.

The Playstation 4 pro has a lot going for it. It packs better hardware, supports 4K streaming, is better suited for Playstation VR, and at least some games will benefit when run on PS4 Pro, for instance by offering better effects or frames per second.

If that is not enough, it is also available for $399 which is only $100 more than the price of the slim version.

Playstation 4 Slim

I don't own a Playstation 4 yet, and would probably not buy a new model if I did. While I like the PS4 Pro a lot, I have decided to get a PS4 Slim instead. Here is why.

First of all, I don't own a 4K TV and don't plan on getting one anytime soon. Also, I don't have any intention on getting Playstation VR. Those are two of the main benefits that the PS4 Pro offers over the Slim and the original version.

While improved performance or effects in games is nice, Sony stated firmly that all future games will run on all versions of the Playstation 4.

The main reason why I'll be buying a Playstation 4 Slim is that it is quieter than the rest. Not only is it a lot quieter, it is also using less power when running and cooler as well.

Sony stated in the official announcement of the new PS4 Pro and Slim models the following about the improvements the slim model offers over the original Playstation 4:

When comparing the new PS4 model to the current model, we’ve reduced volume by 30 percent, weight by 16 percent, and power consumption by 28 percent.

If you are a regular here on Ghacks you know that I like my electronic devices to be as quiet as possible, and that is one thing the PS4 Slim delivers that the PS4 Pro won't in the same fashion.

The PS4 Slim offers huge improvements in all three areas over the original Playstation, and likely also the PS4 Pro (testers did not have a chance yet to play around with the new Pro model but since it offers a more powerful GPU, chance is that it will use more power and be louder than the Slim model).

Check out this hands-on with the PS4 Slim by Digital Foundry for an overview of the benefits of the PS4 Slim.

Closing Words

The PS4 Slim may be the best choice for me, but it is definitely not the best option for gamers who have a 4K television or plan on using Playstation VR.

Some gamers may also like the idea of getting better frames per second or better effects in games.

Now You: What's your take on the PS4 Slim and Pro?

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Here is why I'm getting a Playstation 4 Slim, not Pro
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Here is why I'm getting a Playstation 4 Slim, not Pro
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Find out why I have decided to get a new Playstation 4 Slim and not the more powerful and slightly more expensive Playstation 4 Pro.
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Ghacks Technology News
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Comments

  1. DavyC said on December 13, 2016 at 5:48 pm
    Reply

    Hi, if you are referring to the fact they have reduced the volume by 30% as evidence that the slim is quieter, I am afraid you are mistaken. They have reduced the physical volume (i.e. space which the unit takes up on a shelf) by 30%, not the amount of sound it makes.

    Sorry to burst your bubble! :)

  2. Kelador said on October 16, 2016 at 6:32 pm
    Reply

    Games at 1080p loading faster having better draw distance, fps and Super Sampling! no point in getting a slim just get the Pro.

  3. XenoSilvano said on September 15, 2016 at 8:58 pm
    Reply

    The less people who purchase a PlayStation 4 Pro, the higher the likelihood that I will secure one for myself on launch day.

  4. jasper said on September 15, 2016 at 11:32 am
    Reply

    xd

  5. Robert Headley said on September 14, 2016 at 7:41 am
    Reply

    I do plan on getting a 4k TV at some point, mainly for 4k video though So I will eventually get a PS4 Pro. I held out on this console generation and I want to get a PS4 to use as a media device, in addition to gaming.

  6. Zak said on September 14, 2016 at 7:12 am
    Reply

    If you dont care about PSVR get the slim, if you do get the Pro.. Easy

  7. jay@gmail.com said on September 14, 2016 at 12:51 am
    Reply

    I’m sure the PS4 Pro will have better fans and cooling solution it’s not always where more power always means more loud the GPU is more powerful yet more efficient compared to the standard ps4

    Also I might do the same buy Slim PS4 and wait for PS5 as it seems recently Sony confirmed theyre not ditching ‘generations’ yet while Microsoft did, this is just a mid-gen upgrade simple as.

  8. simbin said on September 13, 2016 at 5:57 pm
    Reply

    Get CUH-1200 model for cheap. Operates same temp as Slim but actually quieter. If you find reliable seller, they practically give them away used.

  9. WorknMan said on September 13, 2016 at 5:45 pm
    Reply

    Sure, new games will run on the Slim, but how well? Perhaps 60fps on the Pro vs. 20fps on the Slim? If the new 3DS is any indication, this is a likely possibility. Honestly, I would wait a few months to find out for sure …

  10. d3x said on September 13, 2016 at 5:43 pm
    Reply

    I own PS4 1TB (2nd version) and XONE 1TB. PS4 is quieter than XONE, XONE fans are a bit louder and you can clearly hear HDD when it’s head is moving (like in most 2.5″ drives). Both lie in horizontal position on my desk and have lots of free space around them.

    1. George said on November 24, 2016 at 5:13 pm
      Reply

      “X One fans are louder”.
      Is it possible that X One fans are also bigger and cool off the console better. I think I read this somewhere but not sure if it’s correct.

      1. Jay said on December 12, 2016 at 12:27 pm
        Reply

        Not sure but the general rule of thumb is that the bigger the fan, the less noise it makes because a bigger fan spins less and slower rotations than a smaller one to push the same amount of air.

  11. Mike O said on September 13, 2016 at 3:41 pm
    Reply

    “Sony stated firmly that all future games will run on all versions of the Playstation 4.” I wonder if that is a literal statement? Or is that; all future games until the PS5 comes out? :-\

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on September 13, 2016 at 3:46 pm
      Reply

      Obviously, they mean all PS4 generation games will run on all PS4 versions. They don’t say how well though ;)

  12. Mike Falck said on September 13, 2016 at 3:25 pm
    Reply

    Even if the Pro has the raw performance to do 1080p60fps, I don’t think many games will be patched to benefit.
    So yeah, I pretty much agree. I’m gonna pick myself up a PS4 slim.

  13. Anonymous said on September 13, 2016 at 12:59 pm
    Reply

    It’s actually been tested by several bloggers compared to the original 4 and it runs at almost the exact same temperature and is actually louder when playing games from disc.

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on September 13, 2016 at 2:59 pm
      Reply

      Do you have links to those reviews?

      1. jay@gmail.com said on September 14, 2016 at 12:48 am
        Reply

        He’s spreading misinformation he probably made it up or got it from those fake info from those anti console/sony sites there’s alot out there

        Check DigitalFoundry/Eurogamer test results here they are well known for this stuff and have over 200,000 subs on YouTube they do fair unbiased tests.

        http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2016-hands-on-with-the-playstation-4-slim-cuh-2000

  14. Xi said on September 13, 2016 at 12:02 pm
    Reply

    @Martin: Fun with Posted & Updated Timing of this article:
    Posted – September 13, 2016 @ 10:33:10 + 02.00
    Updated – September 12, 2016 @ 20:03:40 + 02.00

    Otherwise, a good article!

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