thatdemoguy

I know it’s been a good long while since I have updated this page, and for that I apologize. I assure you I have been busy doing some really amazing things in the gaming community and hopefully those things will help this page grow in the future. Yet I digress.

 

Something pretty big would have to take place to get me to want to share my thoughts on this personal forum for you all? Well that's exactly what happened because Sony came out and announced new iterations of the PlayStation 4 hardware. The PlayStation 4 Slim the PlayStation 4 Pro are set to hit the market very soon. The Slim model hits in about a week (September 15th) at $299 USD and the "beefed" up Pro hits later this year on November 10th at $399 USD. Given that I do have a preference for but am (albeit incorrectly) called the Sony fanboy, this news has to have me frothing at the mouth right?

 

Well let me be the first to tell you that....I AM NOT IMPRESSED.

 

That's right. That's not a typo. Your eyes do not deceive you. I just said that. (Is your mind blown?) Well let me repeat that.

 

I am not impressed with what Sony has shown all of us, the consumers who's money they so desperately want to take. And here's why. (Prepare to have your mind blown again) The reason I am not impressed is because....

 

I already own the XBOXOne S. And I think it’s the superior "half update" of this console cycle.

 

Hell hath officially frozen over right? Hear me out here please.

 

I'm not going to waste a lot of time talking about the PS4 Slim, because quite honestly it's a waste. It is literally just a cosmetic redesign. Yes, with Sony pushing out an update that will allow all PS4 units to have HDR (high dynamic range), there will be a slight increase in graphic/visual fidelity, but the PS4 Slim is nothing more than just a slightly smaller unit. And the PS4 already had a pretty streamlined look, which didn't necessitate a redesign. They are also removing the optical audio port, so for those who have their system hooked up to a home theater system, this could prove problematic. This will only prove to create confusion in the marketplace with consumers who go out shopping this holiday season and see multiple versions of one unit available, when coupled with the oncoming VR push; this will be a logistical nightmare. But the direct reason the PS4 Slim is a waste is because in less than two months the PS4 Pro is releasing, at a mere $100 difference. Even less if the rumored 1TB slim model launches at $349.

 

Even then, the XBOXOne S remains the better hardware comparably. All industry buzzwords and tech jargon aside, it's just a clear cut fact that you get more for your dollar buying the XBOXOne S over BOTH the PS4 Slim AND the PS4 Pro units. Let me go ahead and tell you that even though they may claim to be able to, NONE of these systems will be able to produce NATIVE 4K resolution out of the box. Don't believe the hype, and don't get lied to. The specs just do not allow it, especially at the price points these are set at. So expect to see a lot of upscaled visuals. This is not necessarily a bad thing, and only the most staunch of technophiles like myself will be able to really tell the difference. But for the $399 that Sony is charging for the PS4 Pro, I find it outright criminal that the system DOES NOT include the ability to play 4K Blu-ray discs. Yes it does the 4K streaming capabilities, with streaming services offering an updated version of their applications to roll out with the system. But let me remind you....

 

SONY OWNS THE PATENT TO BLURAY TECHNOLOGY!!!!

 

So why would they not include the ability for THEIR gaming/media device to play their patented media? I'm sorry but this is just stupid. Especially given that the XBOXOne S does this at $100 cheaper than the PS4 PRO. (NOTE: This applies to the 500GB model. The 1TB model is still $50 cheaper. The discontinued 2TB model does not apply). I don't want to hear about how these are supposed to gaming devices, because the fact of the matter is that both companies, Microsoft AND Sony want to have their set top box be the all-purpose media hub for your entertainment. Microsoft went a little aggressive with this when the new systems were initially announced, but I feel that Sony is making a huge faux pas by resting on their laurels at this time. Especially considering that 4K is being pushed as the next step in media, so why not continue their trend of being right on top of things by including the ability to play the latest forms of media on their gaming device, effectively making their system the most attractive alternative to going out and buying a dedicated device. The original PlayStation played music discs, the PlayStation 2 played DVDs, and the PlayStation 3 pioneered Blu-ray. What the heck is Sony thinking not having the PlayStation 4 able to carry them into the next wave of media with 4K? ESPECIALLY considering the XBOXOne S does, and does it cheaper than the most affordable 4K Blu-ray players does?

 

You dropped the ball on this one Sony. It's been awhile since you fumbled like this (we all remember $599 USD), but this might not just be a turnover, it may also be picked up and turned into a huge score for Microsoft. Who now has the most attractive 4K option for this holiday season, and then they have the NEXT iteration of their XBOXOne hardware, codenamed Scorpio coming out next year, which will no doubt dwarf the PS4 Pro when it comes to raw power and computing ability.

 

I will say though, that even given this information I know that the PS4 Slim and Pro will still sell fairly well, especially for those who have YET to make the jump thus far this console generation. And I won't lie to you; I WILL end up with the Pro unit. But I probably won't get one when they first release. I will likely wait until Resident Evil VII releases in late January to see if there are any types of Pro+VR bundles available.

 

So how do YOU feel about the PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro? Did you know that their new units would not play 4K Blu-ray discs? Does this deter your purchase? Feel free to sound off in the comments here or interact with me on ALL forms of social media at thatdemoguy.