The PS3 Slim comes at a reduced price point but in a blow to aspiring homebrew developers, also does away OtherOS support, the ability to run operating systems such as Linux. This feature came standard on all PS3 models prior to the slim revision and while not widely used, was a nice thing to have.

Why was it removed? Sarah Ewen of SCEE’s technology group explains:

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.

In short: While the hardware itself is still capable, OtherOS was axed as a result of Sony wanting to save on software maintenance costs.

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Read more: GeoHot Brings Back OtherOS On PS3 Firmware 3.21,  The Humble Homebrew Initiative Takes Aim At Sony’s Anti-Homebrew Stance,  Lighter CECH-3000 PS3 Model Incoming, Improves Power Efficiency,  Report: Rumored PS3 Slim Enters Production Phase,  PS3 Slim Nixes Linux Support