Ultra Slim PlayStation 3 Prototype Console

I got one as well, XeDK/MrUnknown picked it up for me for $100 and shipped it to me. I still have to buy the power button for it.

 

Nice. I guess us assembler forum members bought most of them.

 

Want

 

Anyone would like to post a price it's worth?
@Borman
@drahcir

 

How much do I think its worth? I don't know enough about PlayStation items to say I feel...

 

Hard to say. The fact that there are a few of them makes things interesting anyway. I don't get the impression that there are as many crazy PS3 collectors as there are Xbox ones hah. I just know it is interesting enough for me to want it I paid the 500 for a working DECR-1000a, which is useful anyway. TESTs have been going for fairly cheap if you catch them right.

 

It's kind of difficult to put a price on one right now. It's not the same as pricing a debug or reference tool since many have been sold. I have never even heard of one of these prototype systems until I check this forum and ebay. I know I got what I consider a good deal for mine. I'm holding onto it for a while.

 

My friend freako bought one of the ps3 proto's, his has not arrived yet.. (he's in Australia)

 

i would trade all my PS games for that

 

I think we're derailing a little here so I suppose I can try and keep this moving.

Because of the prototypes existing we can draw a number of assumptions.
-Should it be "Ultraslim" and not Superslim, then could it have been planned for retail at some point and was it abandoned to make way for the PS4?
-Because it's a prototype, does this mean there's also extra tools and functions that aren't found on debug units (DECH-XXXX)?
-Because it's shape is certainly resembling a Superslim model, is it possible that its a debug super slim board inside?
-Could this potentially have never before seen components on the board inside?
-Is this able to boot only PS3 games? (All models can play ps3 and ps1, but not all play ps2, so in theory this could have been just for ps3 games - but that's just me)
-Could there be potentially any interesting data left on these?

It's certainly a discussion piece, and I think these thoughts could lead to some nice results.

 

I believe it's a prototype Super Slim PS3. It's almost the same size as a retail Super Slim.

Great questions though. I'm curious if anybody else has heard about these aside from the ebay listing and this forum.

 

To me its a PS3 Ultra Slim Test Unit as it runs DEX just like the Phat/Slim Unit's. To me they never made a PS3 Ultra Slim Test Final thats why we are now just seeing them. But this may or maynot be true as we have not seen a final Ultra Slim Test.

Now on to the PS1/PS2 games I will test it and let you guys know. For it being different motherboad from the final it for sure is, from what i can see some of the stuff are in different spots of the motherboard than the final. Do note i have not and will not, open mine due to it have the warranty sticker still on but. I can see from the hole where the power button is at.

 

If nobody has opened theirs by next week I'll do it and post pictures. I need to fix the noisy fan anyhow.

 

Charels will be doing so once his arrives. Feel free to do so if you must, but someone will soon.
Oh and be sure you do it carefully lol

 

Doesn't seem to play PS2 games. I have to find a PS1 game to try.

 

Why would it play PS2 games? IIRC the only units able to play PS2 games without SPU hacks/workarounds are those with EE+GS or just the GS included on the mainboard. Phat units were the only ones that ever had this. I believe every PS3 unit is able to play PS1 games natively though.

-doulomb

 

While you're correct, let's say in theory that this wasn't able to boot ps1 games. This would be a very important thing to take note of. If it doesn't then this can potentially mean another PS3 model for retail was planned (the canned).

Since we haven't opened them to see the board we can't say what is or isn't different, but the little peek hole (I'll call it) like XeDX does have some stuff in different spots from the final board. And iirc if you boot PS1 games you CAN boot burned copies on OFW, but I highly advise against this for piracy reasons, but if shawnunderse7en doesn't have any PS1 games to test this is an option to test booting capabilities.

And as I said, we should have board pictures soon.

 

From what I see most were pulled from members here and or Se7ensins Lucky Us. Can't wait to see the board pics I really want to know what that plastic on the bottom is for.

 

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 worked just fine
Retail PS3 discs also work on these units.

 

It's a MPX-001, so a superslim motherboard. Everything comes apart easily enough. Be careful with the case, it's made out of non-resilient plastic. It doesn't really doesn't enjoy heat. It's not 3d printed. It looks injection molded, but I'm not certain.