The system will be available on November 2nd. How many PS3 Fanboy readers are interested in picking this price-reduced model?
See also:
Comparison: Is the 40GB PS3 such a bad deal?
40GB pre-orders go on sale
The system will be available on November 2nd. How many PS3 Fanboy readers are interested in picking this price-reduced model?
See also:
Comparison: Is the 40GB PS3 such a bad deal?
So what happens to the 20GB and 60GB models?
Thanks to the price drop, the 60GB model officially costs the same as the 80GB one. However, retailers aren't going for any of that nonsense and are now packaging the system with many other goodies. Walmart.com, for example, is bundling one free game and a Blu-ray remote with the 60GB system (making it a far better deal than the 80GB, in our opinion). Retail Best Buy stores will soon run a promotion where you can get a free copy of Heavenly Sword (or Lair, if you so dare) and an extra controller with the 60GB system. Obviously, these are "while supplies last," so you may have to rush to take advantage of these deals.
[Via CAG]
Comparison: Is the 40GB PS3 such a bad deal?
Click for full resolution image.
However, let's not forget that the 20GB Xbox 360 includes some backwards compatibility support (the 40GB PS3 does not). In addition, you get two free games with the system.
The 60GB PS3 is in an interesting position right now, as it currently costs the same as the 80GB model. For the same price, you can get a larger hard drive and a free game. The only difference? The 80GB has more limited backwards compatibility support. Patrick Seybold from SCEA reminds us that "There are no plans to lower the price of the 60GB model. The 60GB model has nearly 95% backwards compatibility, so consumers looking for that feature have the option while supplies last."
[Update: Chart updated with user suggested information. Updated with minor corrections. Thanks, readers!]
Maguire: New PS3 all part of the master plan
While acknowledging that other factors like decreasing production costs, industry pressure and a need to increase its install base contributed, Maguire said Sony has been considering this model since the PlayStation 3 launched.
Of course, the main complaint against the PlayStation 3 has always been its price, but Maguire thinks the lower-priced 40GB model will appease the haters. "If the product was too expensive, of course they're going to feel 'anti,' but now I imagine there will be some changing of attitudes," he told MCV. It's true, the 40GB model's price is much closer to the Xbox 360's, only with a lot more features. However, only time will tell if the move will help Sony recapture the lead in the console wars.
40GB to be released in Saudi Arabia
"The introduction of the new PS3 has been the result of extensive research into the entertainment needs and preferences of the next generation of PS3 owners," said Abdul Kader, marketing manager at MECL. "It has allowed us to deliver an extremely advanced, yet incredibly affordable high definition gaming and entertainment system, configured to the needs of the next generation of European PS3 owners."
Although we weren't aware Saudi Arabians were big on gaming, it's great to see Sony spreading the 40GB love throughout the world.
HD DVD group: Cheaper PS3 won't help Blu-ray sales
While gamers and retail chains have been mostly praising Sony's new cheaper PS3 (aside from the backward-compatibility issue), the European HD DVD Promotional Group has said the 40GB system won't have much impact on Blu-ray sales in the region."The European PS3 price cut will have a minimal impact on the adoption of next generation HD formats. The real battleground is in sales of standalone players and HD DVD is out in front by a massive margin," Co-Chairman of the European HD DVD Promotional Group Ken Graffeo said. According to the group, HD DVD accounts for about 70 percent of the European market, and it expects that number to continue to grow.
However, many believe this year's holiday period will go a long way in deciding which format will reign as king, and we think the HD DVD group may be underestimating the impact of the 40GB PS3.
SCE Australia boss talks 40GB PS3
Ephraim also continued Sony's recent tactic of downplaying the significance of the lack of backward compatibility, he also said that at this point, the PS3 and the Wii should no longer be compared to each other. "Nintendo Wii should be compared with PlayStation 2 for the functionality, the experience, and the demographic it appeals to. Consumers in that space will compare between a PS2 and a Wii, not a Wii and a PS3 – they're just completely different animals," he said.
This isn't the first time Sony's said one of its products isn't in direct competition with Nintendo's, but it'd be interesting to see if it'd be singing the same tune if the sales numbers were reversed.
Water-cooled PS3: liquid engineering at its finest
40GB PS3 headed Down Under
After finally taking the wraps of its new 40GB PS3, Sony has now confirmed its new system will also be headed to Australia beginning Oct. 11 for A$699.95.While we're sure this news will overjoy Australians who've been impatiently awaiting a more affordable PS3, there's still no word yet whether they will also see the lower-priced 60GB PS3 bundle like their friends in the UK. Either way, it seems Sony has taken care of the largest regions at this point, and it will be interesting to see what other markets are next in line.
GAME excited by new PS3 model
"We feel that this is a very positive move from Sony. The price reduction will make it easier for even more customers to enjoy the incredible gaming experience you get with a PS3," said GAME Commercial Director Tricia Brennan. "There are more games consoles available than ever before, and today's price cut means they all represent amazing value for money when you consider the incredible technology and sheer volume of entertainment that they offer."
It's great to see retailers rallying behind Sony, and we're sure the company welcomes the positive feedback as it tries to downplay the significance of the 40GB's slimmed down feature set.
40GB's loss of backwards compatibility explained
SCEE managing director Ray Maguire said Sony will use the money it dedicated towards backwards compatibility to invest in new games or to perhaps lower prices so more gamers can afford to buy a PS3. "It was a big decision, and we know it is a very emotive subject as lots of people think that backwards compatibility is high on the agenda and yet few really use it," he said.
We're not sure how Maguire came to this conclusion, but the PS3's backwards compatibility feature is always one that we've appreciated for a long time. With Sony's commitment to a 10-year life span of its hardware and games still being published for last generation's console, it seems like an odd choice to "cut the cord" at this point.
7200 rpm HDD may increase your PS3's performance
The standard HDD that comes with your PS3 is 5400 rpm -- not bad, but not the best on the market. We've stumbled across a write-up detailing the addition of a different hard drive, running at 7200 rpm, and its effect on a various array of games and other such things. While we wouldn't recommend you all rush out and do this, as long-term effects can't possibly be gauged just yet, it's still interesting to consider the ways Sony fans can customize their console to be unique. We'll outline the results below.- Temperature testing against the two hard drives yielded a minimal difference; no overheating will occur with a 7200 rpm drive, ostensibly.
- Installing demos after downloading off the PSN had an average of ten seconds shaved off due to the higher rpm drive, except that Tony Hawk demo, with destroyed over forty seconds of install time. Impressive.
- Loading games generally yielded minimal results, unless you consider 2 seconds of load time a big deal.
EB Games still has 20GB PS3s available
Most likely, the company is trying to burn through some of its old stock or it's just a mistake, but hey, if you really need a cheaper PS3 right now, why not take the plunge?
[via Destructoid]
40GB PS3 listed on FCC website
The rumors of Sony's mythical 40GB PS3 have been swirling around almost as fast as Lyndsay Lohan ruining her career, but until now, we haven't had any hard proof of the former. A recent Sony FCC filing suggests a new PS3 model, designated CECHG01, is coming, despite the company's recent denials.
Unlike what previous stories suggested, it looks like Wi-Fi and USB ports will remain in this new model, but there wasn't any information on the size of its hard drive, which I'm sure the ladies are just dying to know.
If Sony can keep everything inside the PS3 that makes it so great, but drop the hard drive down a bit and hit the more consumer-friendly price tag of $399, it could find that audience who has been reluctant to join the Sony Army.
[via Engadget]
Rumour: 40GB PS3 coming says Sky; £299 in UK says CVG
In a (not very) surprise revelation Sky, the British broadcasting supplier, has stated that they expect the fabled 40GB PS3 to be announced this week. They claim that this new model will lack several features of the 60GB/80GB such as backwards compatability (both hardware and software emulation) as well as USB ports. We're more inclined to believe that WiFi would be removed before USBs as some games will require them. Imagine if people lured into buying a new PS3 at a lower price weren't able to play games like Guitar Hero III, Rock Band or anything involving the PlayStation Eye.The price is still rumoured to be at $399, which we've always said would make an excellent low-end price for the system. Elsewhere reports are coming in that the UK will be receiving this new SKU as well and that it will sell for £299. Though all of this information is still classified as heavily rumoured, CVG has been told by multiple sources that Sony will introduce the 40GB model in Great Britain (and, presumably, the rest of Europe) at this price, which makes it around the same price as an Xbox 360 Elite.
To cap off today's rumour-fest, Sony was touted to make these announcements at Tokyo Game Show (which didn't happen) or early this week. We'll let you know what happens.
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