Sony's 250-GB PS3 Can Be Preordered Ahead Of Next Month's Release

The highly anticipated PS3 has the same slim look, feel and features as the 120-GB system, but now comes with a 250-GB built-in hard drive, all the better to pack in more games, movies, music, TV shows, photos and PlayStation Network downloads.

"We kicked things off early with the new price point and sleek form factor and have continued the momentum with this week's launch of the universally acclaimed exclusive, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves," said Scott Steinberg, vice president, product marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America, in a statement.

Gamers can preorder the PS3 on Amazon.com, but should be forewarned: The new model costs $349.99.

Sony knows it has a hit on its hands, given the PS3's longtime popularity, as evidenced by its last release over the summer.

"Since we launched the slimmer, lighter 120-GB PS3 system, we've sold 1 million units worldwide within the first three weeks," the company said on its PlayStation blog. "We know that all of you are really making use of the PS3's hard drive, as more than 600 million pieces of content have been downloaded from PlayStation Network."