First off, sorry guys. I don't have my PS3 Steelbook copy of Skyrim yet (Futureshop only shipped them on 11/11/11), so I only have the retail version of the 360.
That version has all sorts of poor texture issues. Outside of that it runs fine. Sometimes it locks for 30 seconds, and then comes back. Not often tho.. I saw someone here say that their PS3 did that. Its a Skyrim thing, not a PS3 thing on that one anyway. I'm running mine from the disc.

Now, I have a 80gig 2-USB fat system, and a 320gb slim model.

Because they're in 2 different rooms, I will be installing Skyrim on both. If there is any diff considering the model it is installed on, I will post observations here.
Amongst other games in my library, I've had Fallout3 and Oblivion run fine on both (I've only played New Vegas on the slim), so I've never noticed any differences between the two models.

But i wanted to post here about restoring the file system from the PS3's Safe Mode menu.
I used to have a 40 gig (which YLOD'd) and I was experiencing problems playing a game. Sound would be glitchy and occasional framerate hiccups. I can't remember which game it was, but like all PS3 games, it had a preinstall of about 4gig. Being a 40gig machine, I had to juggle some game data by deleting some less played game-installs and demos. I don't know if that had any relevence to the state of the hard drive, but maybe.

Anyway I called Sony and they suggested I restore the file system. I backed up my saves (I don't think I had lost any in the process, but like to be safe anyway).
It ran like butter after that. My experienced problems were gone. You can also run a major clean up by using the Rebuild Database function. Sony recommends the file system first followed by the database if it doesn't solve your issues.

Remember, these games preinstall chunks of a game - to entire games on the HDD. A lot of the PS3's operation is dependant on that drive working properly and it doesn't self-maintain. If it's not healthy it will create problems when you're playing games.

I used to have to clear my cache on the 360 quite a bit to get oblivion from stalling. Bethesda has always used massive caching in their games. If you're having stalling, lagging or framerate hiccups it could only be your hard drive needing some attention. I guess depending on how much your Skyrim sessions experience issues, you could try it or not.

If you're uneasy about performing this call Sony Support. Google these solutions also if you want.. the official Sony page is http://us.playstation.com/support/answer/index.htm?a_id=1488

And by all means - if you have problems and this actually does solve them for you, post it on the forum so that others can learn from your experience.

And as I said.. whenever I have my steelbook coming, I'll install it on the fat and slim and compare it to the 360 for y'all.

Peace