I have an old model PS3 (the "fat" type). I was watching movies on it when it just stopped working. Movies would freeze-up, and nothing worked. I called Sony, and after a long wait... I was told that they no longer service this and I can pay $150 to get a new 12-gig PS3. Gee, what a deal! I'm thinking of taking it in to repairs to a local shop. Has anyone had similar problems? I spoke with a guy at the store and he thinks it's the laser. Maybe I need to replace the blu ray lens?

Does it play DVD movies?

Yeah my old fat PS3 had the blu ray lens die, so it can't play PS3 or blu ray movies, but PS1, PS2 and DVD work as well as Netflix, so I moved it into another room and used it for that.  I replaced it with a slim, but this was also well before PS4 came out, so I got plenty of use of the new one as well...

Yeah, the mom and pop shop I frequent for the most part doesn't even touch the original, fat PS3s when it comes to repairs anymore. They also rarely buy them off of customers due to the likelyhood of them failing in this day and age,

I think they could fix one if it was the BluRay drive... but most of the time the fat PS3s fail because of the issues related to the heat they put out.

Additionally the "$150 to get a new 12-gig PS3" line they gave you is crap. I don't understand why they push this model of PS3 at all. Well I do, and it's simply dumb. 12 GB is insanely laughable that once you buy the system and realize you're screwed as far as space goes you have to run out and buy a damn harddrive - hence you will save NO money. I always tell be people just go for a bundle.

I had assumed "12-gig PS3" was a typo for "120-gig PS3;" I'm mildly stunned that a twelve gigabyte model exists. How in the hell did they arrive at twelve?

I really wish it was a typo honestly. You're not going to get far with 12GB... hence why it's a damn trap. People see that lower price point and get all excited... until they have the console for about three seconds and use all the damn space.

Additionally, I know some newer games have a mandatory install these days and you CAN'T use a flash drive in lieu of an actual hard drive with those titles.

Doesn't the X360 console like this only have 8GB or something? Freaking silly...

Edit:

But yeah Avatar, your best bet is probably a mom and pop shop for this. Hopefully it's the drive/lens and you can salvage it.

12GB is enough for just game saves and maybe some required game patch downloads.  That's not an extreme problem though, I bought a used fat PS3 from a friend and bought an SSD to go in it.  Spendy, but less heat/vibration may squeeze a little extra lifespan from it.

Yeah, saw one of those at Gamestop and had to laugh.

Got one of those hooked up to my TV.

I mean, the difference in price at Gamestop between a 4GB 360 and a 250GB 360 is $45.