Can you transfer memory between the older model consoles and the new slim versions....

You can transfer:
game data, save data(except copy right protected saves), it will copy the users so make sure you have the details of the accounts just in case, this wont copy the details of the other ps3 e.g the ps3 id (that is used by sony to identify the ps3), the mac address (each ps3 has its own individual mac address so the network can identify the hardware), or the pssid (not to sure on what that is but this is another way they know what ps3 you are using)