That's really the primary question for whether to get a Slim or a Pro.

Now, take this all with a grain of salt, since I don't have a Pro and have only used one a few times for a total of about forty minutes. The Pro really is just basically for 4K and HDR output. We've seen a few games that have some advantages for non-4K uses, but I've yet to see or hear of an example that really makes the extra money seem worth it. Nioh has different game modes and can focus on better framerate, for example. Rise of the Tomb Raider allows you to just bump up the graphics effects, I think. From what I've heard, even if you don't have a 4K TV, the game will still run at a higher resolution and downsample to 1080 for TV, which can result in a better, sharper image.

But the consensus (as much as there can be one--this is the internet, after all) is that if you don't have a 4K TV and don't plan on getting one, just get a Slim. I have a base PS4, and Horizon Zero Dawn is still one of (if not the) best looking games I've ever played. I saw it my buddy's house (who buys just about every new video game gadget that ever comes out) on a Pro and 4K TV, and while I can appreciate the difference, it didn't make me think my experience on a base PS4 was any worse, or the game any less gorgeous.

I'm considering picking up a PS4 for both D2 and a few other games that are only on the PS4. Does it really matter which version I buy (reg, slim, pro)? What are some pros and cons of each choice?

right now I can get a PS4 Slim w/ uncharted 4 for $255 on Amazon. I can also get the PS4 Pro for $400 with no games. I'm just wondering if the Pro is really that much of an upgrade?

I'm sure Korny will weigh in soon, but I know he is pleased with his PRO.

I guess it depends on the TV you currently have, and if you have plans to upgrade it in the near future.

If you just want to get into the eco system and take advantage of the PS4 exclusives, you will def save a chunk of change getting a slim bundle.

But, if you want to "future proof" your console a bit, the Pro would probably be the better investment.

I would GUESS that Destiny 2 will look really good on a PRO, but I would also expect it to look better because they finally dropped support for last gen.

For us it didn't make sense to upgrade. 1080P still looks great to me. Anything higher I'll play on my Laptop. YMMV.

Food for thought: I wish I would not have been an early adopter for the Xbox One. Had I known they were going to release their slim so soon after, I would have waited and I wish that is the one I had under my TV. With my PS4, I don't feel that way, but I don't see the need to upgrade it either. I don't play as many games as Cruel and Korny (I'm picky) but I've had zero complaints. Bloodborne, Doom, Wolfenstein and few others looks pretty damn great.

But every year, a game like The last of us, or Horizon zero dawn crop up and really show you what a console is capable of. If you value that 'rare' premium experience, it might be worth the price to you.

- No text -

- No text -

I'm considering picking up a PS4 for both D2 and a few other games that are only on the PS4. Does it really matter which version I buy (reg, slim, pro)? What are some pros and cons of each choice?

right now I can get a PS4 Slim w/ uncharted 4 for $255 on Amazon. I can also get the PS4 Pro for $400 with no games. I'm just wondering if the Pro is really that much of an upgrade?

If you plan to get a PS4 mainly for D2, I'd say hold off until a better deal is available for the Pro (Not too long ago there was a deal that included two games with the console). The Pro isn't really supported too much yet, so unless you plan to get a 4K tv, or you really want to have 4K screens, 1080p clips, or slightly upgraded visuals and short loading screens across most games now now now, I'd say to wait on it until there are sales.

It's worth the investment to future-proof against games for the rest of the generation, and the improvements over the regular PS4 are significant (Witcher 3 loads in about 20 seconds now, up from the 40+ seconds that it used to take, and other quality of life improvements), so I have no doubt that you'd be happier with a Pro.

I really don't recommend getting a Slim if you can avoid it, as it doesn't really improve on the original console in any way (and in fact makes a few minor sacrifices), and you can usually find the original for a much better deal. The original is definitely still a solid console (it's what Sammy is playing Horizon on, and it is still a beautiful game without a dip in framerate or quality).

If you do get one now, there are tons of great games that will tide you over (The Last of Us is pretty mandatory, and Bloodborne if you want a faster Souls game) until D2, but still, no sense in spending more than you need to. Plus, don't worry about hard drive size, as the next update this month will add external hard drive support.

Only you can make that decision. Here's some info from another perspective that seems to have not shown up in this thread yet.

You're looking at $145 difference for probably many many many hours of gameplay. It doesn't matter much right now, but It will matter much more after a year or so. So... are you going to be spending significant time with the PS4, and plan to be using it actively in a year's time? If so, that extra up front cost is likely worth it. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that it has nearly twice the horsepower of the regular PS4. That doesn't matter much now, but it will down the road as games opt into using that extra power, and leaving the older version as a baseline (but sub-par) experience.

I've got a VR instead of a Pro this past fall. It's only a matter of time until I upgrade, but it's not hugely important for me just yet. Unless you're looking at 4k and some small conveniences, it's minor and I already have the system.

If I were buying a new system I'd totally go with the pro.

Wait for deal, though. If you don't get the pro you'll later wish you did.

I would not tell any current PS4 owner to upgrade, but new buyers should buy it if they can afford it.

The PS4 Slim does not have an Optical Audio Out like the original PS4 (and Pro) do - which really only matters if you plan to use Astros (or other high-end gaming headsets that require Optical for the full experience). I think there might be some adapters available, or other workarounds... But if you don't need the Optical Audio out, I see no reason to not go ahead and get the Slim.

Know the full landscape of the near future before making a final decision.

I've been dreaming about a particular 4K TV but I haven't seen the price get to the sweet spot I set for it in my mind. At this point I may be into next years TV models, which isn't the end of the world since the market for fully supported native 4K and full HDR media doesn't quite seem to be there in droves yet.

The slim models and the Pro have been dumb and totally ridiculous in my mind. The advantage is that I haven't HAD to buy into them yet. None of my equipment has been breaking. I'm not one to put the cart before the horse and I've been content with what has been a great TV over the years and the day 1 consoles. If I had upgraded to the Slims or Pro at all it would have been a total waste. I'm excited for Scorpio details and hope that it is an all in full generation -ish upgrade and not more of this awful middling that has been going on.

Was the Neo the PS4 Pro? Or is there something more on the way?
Don't forget, I'm the out of touch guy that wrote off gaming press a number of years ago.

Maybe I will just drop the consoles and go the PC route?

There's apparently a "boost mode" feature in the works for the PS4 Pro. Members of Sony's preview program have already tested it. What it does, apparently, is boosts the performance of older PS4 games, without the original developers needing to patch-in support. So older PS4 games might show improved frame rates, faster load times, etc.

Not a huge deal on its own, but a cool feature, and one that doesn't require a 4K tv to benefit from.