I have owned both the launch PS4 and the C-Chasy revised PS4, as well as the original X1 and the X1 Slim. For this review, I will only compare the PS4 Slim to the 2 previous PS4 SKUs (shiny left top and dull left top).

If you have owned one of the previous PS4s, the Slim is noticeably quieter when downoading games or playing games from the hard drive. When playing games from a disc, the drive noise is about the same as the C-Chasy PS4 (also about the same as the X1 drive noise). In terms of thermals, the launch PS4 was slightly cooler than the C-Chasy PS4 and the Slim is considerably cooler to the touch on the top of the unit than either of the previois versions. Where the C-Chasy model felt hot to the touch, the slim is just warm. On thermals and queitness, the slim is by far the best PS4 to date.

The slim also has some nice additions that weren't found in the previous models. For one, the HDD is easier to replace in the slim. Simply remove a small l-shaped plastic strip from the back corner and you can access the drive. It took me about 4 minutes to replace the drive and begin the SW update. Another nice touch is the see through light strip on the new DS4. I didn't think I would like this at all but afyer using the new controller it makes the once annoying light bar somewhat beneficial.

On a performance level, the slim is the same as all PS4s. That is, they all play the same games and there is no difference in graphics, loading, etc. The PS4 Pro should provide faster loading times and semi-improved graphics on non-4k displays. The PS4 Pro is primarily for those who have or are going to buy a 4K TV though.

So, recommendation time: if you don't have a PS4 and don't have a 4K TV, buy a PS4 Slim. If you have a 4K TV or are buying one soon, wait to see reviews on the PS4 Pro. If you have the C-Chasy PS4 and everything is working fine, there is no real reason to buy the slim. If you have the launch PS4 and it's too noisy for you, the slim may be an improvement worth considering but by no means necessary.

Sony hasn't made the transition to a PS4 particularly easy for PS3 owners.

As everyone reading this knows, the software is incompatible between the two machines, and it sounded as if there were some initial issues concerning the PS4 game and video controllers.

Sony was also pushing the PS4 as a "hard-core gamer" platform, as opposed to the one-box media player the PS3 and XBox One were positioned as.

But the form factor of the new Slim model, accompanied by the price drop and inclusion of Uncharted 4 here, pushed me over the edge.

I traded in all my PS3 stuff to GameStop (for pennies on the dollar -- GRRR), cashed in a few GS Gift Cards I still had in my wallet, and brought this sweet little puppy home yesterday.

The good news is, aside from the incompatibility issue, the PS4 is a splendid replacement for a PS3.

The PS4 Slim is a bit smaller than the PS3 Slim and seems to run cooler.

Though I have only played U4 for two hours or so as I write this, the game does NOT disappoint. I loved the previous Uncharted games, and I love this one. The controls are intuitive and easy to learn. The graphics are spectacular. It is always clear what Drake needs to do and where he needs to go, and hints are available if a puzzle stumps you. Why can't ALL games be this good???

On the media box front, I was pleased to discover that the PS4 does almost everything the PS3 did. It doesn't play CD's, but using the free Media Player app available at the PS store, you can play music using a USB device. You can also stream Amazon, Netflix, YouTube, Crackle, Hulu, and various other video channels. For music, you have Spotify (I don't like streaming services that limit sound quality unless you subscribe -- PHOOEY) and something called "I Heart Radio," which is NOT as good as the streaming radio service the PS3 supported. IHR doesn't seem to have any public radio stations, for example. Wassup wit dat?

I was also pleased to find that the optional PDP Media Controller works well, at least for streaming and playing discs. When playing discs, you have full motion control -- play/pause, jump to next or previous chapter, frame-by-frame advance or reverse, slow-motion, and variable-speed fast forward and rewind. YEA! Am I a happy camper? Yes, I am!

As for the new Dual Shock 4 controllers, they charge in two hours or less (the light bar glows a pulsing orange until fully charged) and seem to run for several hours on one charge. I did turn the light bar down in the options menu to conserve energy.

As I write this, I have downloaded some of the Pinball Arcade tables from the PS store and am sorry that the developer, Farsight, didn't give PS3 owners a better deal on the upgrade. I have also ordered DriveClub, which is just the kind of arcade open-road racing game with real supercars that I like. Prime will be delivering this on Monday, and I can't wait.

Setup was mostly easy. About fifteen minutes downloading the latest firmware and a little trouble gaining network access (my fault -- I wasn't properly highlighting the "Done" or "Okay" command after inputting my password). Otherwise smooth sailing, once I had sorted out the new user interface.

So in summary, PS3 owners who have been holding out on upgrading to the PS4 may want to pull the trigger on the Slim -- unless you're keen on VR or 4000K. Happy game and media playing!

PROS:

* Excellent graphics.
* Better controllers than those on the PS3.
* Full complement of media capabilities.
* Runs cooler than PS3.
* Compact form factor.
* Now more affordable.
* Includes the spectacular Uncharted 4 game. Drake for President!

CONS:

* Software incompatible with PS3.
* Doesn't play CD's.
* Doesn't play "unfinished" DVD-R's or RW's.
* Streaming radio channel inferior to the one on the PS3.

UPDATE: One video shortcoming the PS4 currently suffers from is the inability to play "unfinished" DVD-R's or RW's. That means it won't play DVD-RW's that you made on your computer of files that you own fair and square. The PS3 DID play these discs, and I hope Sony will update the PS4 DVD Player firmware sooner than later to play these computer discs. I would have to say this is my number one complaint about the PS4 currently.

Glad I waited a bit before buying a Playstation. This is a great deal that I just couldn't pass up. I have own both playstations and xboxes over the past decade. I have no allegiance to Sony or Microsoft. My allegiance is to myself and how much fun each system can provide. I will definitely say that Sony is winning this so called console war, simply because of software. Sony has all of the best exclusives. First & 3rd party exclusives. Microsoft has a great online community component. Xbox live is amazing. So really if you're gamer you owe it to yourself to own both systems. Both can provide a lot of fun. If only these 2 game giants could come together.... Man, wouldn't that be something. Anyway if you are thinking of pulling the trigger on a PS4, you will probably not see another better deal than this one. Well they may bring this deal back come holiday season, but you never know. Uncharted is AMAZING and I also picked up Nier: Automata. Great game if you liked RPGS. I already have my sights on getting that Horizon game. Also E3 has showed us God of War and that Spider-Man game..my God. Next year is going to be LIT lol. In closing this is a great deal on a great system. Go ahead and treat yourself or someone!