Sony on Why PS3 Slim Ditched Linux Support
The PS3 Slim comes with pretty much everything you have come to expect of a PS3 console. It has a Blu-Ray drive, Bluetooth wireless, USB Ports, and even a removable Hard Drive. Yet one feature was unable to survive the transition from the PS3 to the PS3 Slim.
Other OS support gave users the ability to partition their Hard Drives and install Linux on that secondary partition. When asked why this intriguing feature didn’t make the transition, Sarah Ewen of SCEE’s technology group had this to say:
“The reasons are simple: The PS3 Slim is a major cost reduction involving many changes to hardware components in the PS3 design. In order to offer the OtherOS install, SCE would need to continue to maintain the OtherOS hypervisor drivers for any significant hardware changes – this costs SCE.
One of our key objectives with the new model is to pass on cost savings to the consumer with a lower retail price. Unfortunately in this case the cost of OtherOS install did not fit with the wider objective to offer a lower cost PS3.”
While this was a cool feature, it was admittedly an underused one. And I, for one, am happy that Sony found ways to cut costs without taking hardware features that the majority of gamers actually find necessary.
21 Responses to “Sony on Why PS3 Slim Ditched Linux Support”
I would say that this is not really a loss. I find it cool to install linux, but I just find that it isn’t neccessary for me.
I agree. The vast majority of people don’t, won’t, and haven’t used this feature. It was a pretty cool feature though.
I was going to install linux in order to rename files and organize data as well as get torrents directly from the web…
But who has time to fuck with all of that if you’re busy playing games? Just do it on your PC and transfer the data when you have time. XD
well said
agrees with the last paragraph
I have Linux on my PS3 for a few days, rarely used it and took it off.
I never saw the point of taking up HD space with an OS I didnt need.
@Makai I know! Me too. There’s just too much games, with so less time. I’d rather play.
And I don’t really want to waste my HDD. I should have just bought the 160gb. Can anyone give me an opinion in which is the best 2.5″ HDD to upgrade my PS3.
[...] original here:rnPlayStation LifeStyle » Sony on Why PS3 Trim Ditched Linux Support Share and [...]
@kirobz
I would stick to a 5400RPM drive for the upgrade since it is the same speed as the original.
I haven’t seen any speed benefit of a 7200 on the PS3 and I can’t comment on it’s heat dissipation.
Also avoid solid-state drives (SSD), the only benefit you will see with an SSD is in an OS that supports it and right now the PS3 does not support it properly (plus they are more expensive).
I purchased a 320GB Fujitsu and it has been excellent.
Find a 2.5″ drive that you like (price wise) and then check reviews for it online and find out how long the warranty is. Some companies can make great drives, but some models can be hit and miss.
There was really no need for Linux support anyway. It was clunky, slow, and didn’t utilize the cell.
what I wanna know is why the 80gb is still the same price and still has Other OS…is it because of the HDD difference of 40gb?
what does the feature do??
@cjcasey:
It lets you install Linux on your PS3.
@kirobz -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136314
the best for your PS3 imho.
Like most people I’m not too bothered with the linux offering. I tried it but the fact that it can not access the PS3′s GPU or Cell left it very weak. Couldn’t play videos & games smoothly etc.
The one benefit was a good browser. I’d love to see firefox/chrome be part of PS3 to replace the mediocre existing one as well as a dedicated youtube app.
I think the real reason is that many scientists use Linux on the PS3 to make a really cheap super computer. If Sony is loosing money on the hardware and not making that up with the software they have to remove the ability to have a chance at profit.
I don’t know how to install it so I never used it. Still don’t like the slim though.
I used it, but it wasn’t all that exciting. I knew it would have something to do with that damn hypervisor though…
[...] the original post: PlayStation LifeStyle » Sony on Why PS3 Slim Ditched Linux Support Tags: february, foundation-, from-the-ps3, get-free, limo, Linux, long-history, [...]
good, we dont need that shit anyways.
@solid some says scorpio is not good. hmmm…
any other opinions?