Personally the last one i call a real game console hardware and not just same boring system with a different brand sticker. Cell processor by Sony, Toshiba and IBM and rare fast XDR RAM memory with last moment Nvidia GPU (RSX) added in to a mix. How to benefit? As stock GameOS does not have support for OtherOS anymore after George Hotz playing with system and using big words online promoting hackery things. If he acted differently or used other terms who knows if still have it open. This just personal opinion - no harm credit is where is due and he played own part in hacking scene.

Shortly the system software aka firmware can be changed to custom (CFW) kinda easily on original FAT or SLIM systems but superslim has been out of picture of that term. Everything you do is on you fully. One good detailed Youtube video tutorial you find here for 4.87 OFW systems. Here is for 4.82 OFW with slightly different way. Unlike on video just use some local hash check so no need in worst scenario upload files internet. I find it hilarious. On macOS or Linux this can be done directly in terminal with md5 or md5sum command. On Windows there is example hashtab software. Video shortened For 4.82 - 4.87 OFW versions. Open PS3 web browser and clear cache, cookies, remove homepage so when opening web browser only blank page comes. Reopen web browser after this. Go on web browser to ps3xploit.com >> navigate to BG Toolbox >> Main Site >> Say yes to run Plugin >> Flash Memory Manager when you wait when ready >> Check system Minimum .. Software Version to know how much downgrade you can do and is your system installed on NAND or NOR flash memory >> Memorystick fat32 (or exfat) attach to console >> in Flash Memory Manager navigate top of Flash Memory so you get to choose "Save Flash Memory Backup" click on it to make backup on your usb stick.. click "Save".. On video is suggested to test this new system backup with python script PyPS3Checker. And now you know some basic details of yours PS3 you might use later. Now you can install what CFW you want. Most likely people go to Rebug.. or these days EvilNat Firmware. Download your choice and save it on your usb stick PS3/UPDATE/ -directory as PS3UPDAT.PUP -file. Back on PS3 web browser and to Flash Manager page and below section can be found Flash Memory Patch -function which on you can choose Load Patch via HTTPS which brings payload to your current firmware system and so enables the installation of CFW on next boot of system. This Patch function may require to be done couple times if not successful in first time. Done. For the Linux usage i have slightly modified the best OtherOS++ firmware i know, which creates larger OtherOS++ partitions and which can boot directly to Petitboot loader and have all OtherOS++ patches ready activated and not broken like in Rebug CFW's. On some Slim models there is working Wake On Lan support. First time need launch GameOS (XMB) and use Rebug ToolBox to install Petitboot and launch OtherOS but then it stays booting OtherOS until you decide in Petitboot boot into GameOS. Here is couple 3.55 CFW size variations: Download: *.PUP (~178.9 MB) MD5: 2c8188740c3b30d5be929068f924b537 (60G, min 80GB HDD) Download: *.PUP (~178.9 MB) MD5: 236c15a7093acb817edcfc14d40ddb7e (220G, mind 240GB HDD) If you come from higher FW version be sure activate QA Flag Enabled example with Rebug Toolbox (from Utilities bar) and for easiest terms use 3.55 Rogero downgrader CFW. To format HDD into OtherOS++ size you need after installing this CFW boot into Recovery with power button holding until hearing double beep and selecting number 5 from options or after installation of CFW you will take HDD out of PS3 and format into Exfat example and put it back and system will tricker similar action. In a Petitboot shell couple commands: ps3-bl-option -O 5 -Activate timer of 5 seconds auto select option x ps3-bl-option -P 1 -Activate selection 1 in Petitboot listing for timer Use command exit to reset and then petitboot to return petitboot without gui glitch. To install and other tricks check the PS3 Linux article. Some PS3 Firmware development steps from history: 2.01 Last HW accelerated Linux (officially) 2.50 Added Recovery Menu for PS3. 3.10 Did bring video scaler problems for Linux and PS2 emulation >> 3.15 fixed 3.21 PS3 OtherOS option was removed 3.55 CFW development kinda launched >> Did you know with PS3 fat model if your main switch is off behind console, if you keep pushing at front disc eject button while switching main power button on console will go to dust removal mode? Max hdd size is 1.75 Tb? You can hide sectors from 2Tb disk with HPAT function and 4.56 OFW can format the disk. Other Firmware is not capable doing it for some reasons which is not studied yet. You can upgrade to higher FW after that and keep all space usable still.