PS3 Slim - No more Linux? Ahh, but for how long... - 20/08/2009 by Andrew


To be honest, I did have my fingers crossed. Coming up to the 18th of August announcement I was hoping for a smaller, less power hungry PS3 and a cheaper purchase price. I couldn't handle another anti-climatic announcement like the recent 'PS2 price drop' fumble. When the news came, I started planning my finances.

Apart from the exciting new stats (33% smaller, 34% less power, US$299/AUD$499/€299/£249/¥29980) there was the news that it would no longer support other operating systems. Considering that some companies actually sell the PS3 pre-loaded with Linux and some rely on the PS3 for cluster duties, this must be upsetting news. But fear not – so many other consoles (including hand-helds) were built with Linux never in mind but had it eventually squeezed in. I'm sure when the Nintendo DS was created, they didn't think that Linux would find it's way there and the same goes with the Xbox and Xbox 360. In my view, saying that the PS3 Slim cannot run Linux is like waving a red flag in front a bull that's sporting a 2 foot tux tattoo.

I'm saying it early - I foresee that the PS3 Slim will having Linux running on it within a few weeks of the launch. I may be wrong, but there's a fair amount of kudos (the official Linux currency) up for grabs to anyone that can get the job done. I can't seem to find any groups stepping up to the task (at least in a semi-professional way) but it's very early days. I'm sure there's much plotting in basements and on IRC.

What's your view? Add your comment below!











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Frederik
30/01/2010 5:47:40 PM

The official excuse is that the hypervisor needs drivers and they don't have the manpower to dedicate to it. I call that bull -- they can use compatible chips instead of introducing new drivers. At any rate, two sets of drivers are not a lot and the drivers for the original are quite good as it is (except that the GPU is locked down -- I was hoping for that being opened) -- leave them as they are and make some new drivers (better yet, tell people how to do it and I'm quite sure they'll emerge quickly). I suspect the _real_ reason for removing the feature is exactly that the PS3 had become too popular in clusters -- the price of one (crippled) CBEA in the form of a PS3, including some memory and everything else you need for the cluster, is a lot lower than just getting the CBEA. I'm guessing the other Cell partners told Sony to drop it or get sued (or something to that effect). Any ways, the PS3 slim will not be running another operating system in the foreseeable future. The computer already does extensive checking on the OS image making and uses a lot of encryption in all the right places, making it next to impossible to even guess how to do what ever is required to boot something other than the default OS. My guess is that it's not possible at all, or requires making a custom OS image which then has to be flashed into the PS3's flash memory.

Nate
18/11/2009 5:15:35 PM

Yeah, my brother just bought a slim without having considered the possibility that this feature would be taken away. He is strapped for cash and can't afford a gaming system and a computer. He also can't afford a gaming computer. I cannot see the reason why this feature was removed. They already had it coded, and nobody has explained any problems that users installing Linux have created for Sony. If your product has a feature that almost nobody uses, there is still absolutely no reason to remove it unless it is taking away from your revenue in some way.

Donny
10/11/2009 5:44:49 PM

Its been weeks weres the linux for ps3 slim i need to know its possible before i make the move to the slim i cant lose all my nintendo games help me hackers i know u can do it.

Andrew http://www.headshotgamer.com/
8/09/2009 8:03:44 PM

Yep - I have a PS3 Slim now, really looking forward to hearing the new way to get Linux to dual boot on PS3 Slim (I still need it for gaming duties!)

william
7/09/2009 12:24:29 PM

i was really upset when the news is there, i got a project that i need a PS3 installed linux...waiting for the new installing method

Andrew
21/08/2009 5:09:11 PM

Re: Scientists - my thoughts exactly, there are PLENTY of PS3 clusters out there, are you saying they'll have to rely on eBay for additional PS3's? I doubt it - PS3 Slim will be hacked and Linux will be running on it in no time (like I said in the article, my money is on 'within 2 weeks'!)

George
21/08/2009 3:59:44 AM

Well well, as Dino says, Sony is on thin ice with this. Sony previously said the PSP is uncrackable and is cracked time after time. I'm running Yellow Dog Linux for about 2 years now and my first gen PS3 is my production machine for everything, for word-processing, CAD design, movies, torrents, everything. Since the proverb 'less is more' doesn't add up with this new PS3, it's most likely I won't buy it. Too bad because it look kinda neath with the mat finish on top. What about scientists anyway? They often use hundreds even thousands of PS3's to compute the most complex molecules and DNA-structures with a Linux-PS3 cluster.

Dino
21/08/2009 2:44:36 AM

Oh please, this is just the same as when Sony said the PSP is un-crackable, pirate games will be a things of the past for the PSP, YEAH RIGHT, if it's got a processor and there's someone willing to put the time in (there always is) this will run linux no matter what Sony say.


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