Well this is not new news but I havent seen anything posted here about it so I will post it.

Theres high probability that sony will introduce a new ps3 before christmas at $400.

The supposed ps3 will only have:

40GB HDD
2 USB ports
No Card Reader
*No PS2 GPU* (for BC compatibility with PS2 games) *this is speculation only*.

FCC Report :

http://i24.tinypic.com/k1dtly.jpg

As you can see the new model its listed as the "CECHG01" while the usual 80GB model its listed as "CECHA01".

Also you can notice that the supposed 40GB PS3 will have a broader signal in both Bluetooth and Wifi over the 80GB one.

A pic that shows the model:

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/09/ps3_fcc_lable_cropped.jpg\

Also there are few rumored packs coming along with the new ps3.

Rumored Packs:

France
PS3 + Spiderman 3 BRD
PS3 + PES 08

Expected Price: 400€ (maybe 450 also)
Expected Offer Date: October 10th

Spain
400-449 Packs middle of october

US?
Nothing so far, but if they announce a 40GB PS3 I think they will annouce a US pack too, probably filled with movies.

Lets see what happens next monday (which is supposed to be the date of the official announcements by SCEE).

Reference:
GAF

If they focus on movie bundles BD is doomed. I really can't believe they would do that at this point.

If they focus on movie bundles BD is doomed. I really can't believe they would do that at this point.

I dont understand the logic in saying that if the ps3 focuses on a ps3 bluray player and bundles in a movie would signify the end for BD...

So, let me get this straight. You are positive that there's a good possibility that there might be a really good chance that there will be a PS3 selling for $400 before Christmas.

So, let me get this straight. You are positive that there's a good possibility that there might be a really good chance that there will be a PS3 selling for $400 before Christmas.

Let me get you straight. Im positive that its mandatory for sony to drop the ps3 before Xmas.

Now thats my opinion, but what I wrote before were the facts (that should not be confused with the confirmation just yet).

If they focus on movie bundles BD is doomed. I really can't believe they would do that at this point.

Im sorry but really, what are you saying?

http://bluraysavings.com/

Looks like the new bluray offer has the new PS3 model number as one of the qualifying players for the rebate. Looks like further confirmation that we'll see this, and probably somewhat soon.

http://bluraysavings.com/

Looks like the new bluray offer has the new PS3 model number as one of the qualifying players for the rebate. Looks like further confirmation that we'll see this, and probably somewhat soon.

Wow you are fast, awesome find, that pretty much confirms it already.

I've got to give RScottyL credit on the find, I would have never noticed it myself.

If they focus on movie bundles BD is doomed. I really can't believe they would do that at this point.

The movies are actually the reason I'm interested in one. As a 360 owner, I haven't really been impressed with their game library to this point. Maybe if a new Tekken comes out I'd feel different. But if they put out a $400 ps3 and pack spiderman 3 and still have the 5 free blu-ray offer going on, Sony is probably going to get my money. The whole trilogy would be better, but I'll take what I can get. :) I'd like to go format neutral so I don't have to worry about who has the exclusive on what. I think they should focus on the movies and how much cheaper a $400 ps3 would be than the 360 plus addon.

The 80gb version appeals to the hardcore gamer and comes with motorstorm. If we believe the rumors we've been hearing, then the 40 gb version is the new entry level system and its cheaper than any blu-ray player on the market so it would appeal to others than just gamers. There's still a bunch of ps2 owners who think the next gen systems cost too much. I have friends that only have a gaming system for the two or three sports games they like.

with games like ratchet & clank, assassins creed, ut3, cod4, uncharted, guitar hero, stranglehold, jericho, singstar, army of two, orange box, haze, kane & lynch, time crisis 4, blazing angles 2, rock band blacksite: area 51, and timeshift (plus more) all being released late october/november, i think that will be a perfect time to introduce the new sku, and thats obviously right before the holiday season.

The movies are actually the reason I'm interested in one. As a 360 owner, I haven't really been impressed with their game library to this point. .

well you said it yourself your more intereted in the movie aspect due to price of the PS3 vs the games its obvious here. For being a so called 360 gamer and not being impressed your the first and nothing is wrong with that as long as you buy 2 PS3s this christmas to help sales im all for it. I bought 3 myself to help with PS3 sales in lacking mainly for blu ray movies and one is mainly for gaming itself.

At $399 I'm picking this shyt up!

Anyone have any info indicating whether this will be another limited supply SKU like the 20GB PS3 or if they plan to make this in equal or greater volumes than the more expensive 80GB model?

Anyone have any info indicating whether this will be another limited supply SKU like the 20GB PS3 or if they plan to make this in equal or greater volumes than the more expensive 80GB model?

gamestop still has new 20gb for sale if intereted...

gamestop still has new 20gb for sale if intereted...

I'm surprised there's still inventory out there. I think it makes more sense to wait for the new $399 40GB model. It's got WiFi and a bigger hard drive, though you are giving up on the EE chip in the 20GB model.

Is the $400 price just speculation? I mean, given the $599 price of the 80GB model, I'd be more apt to think that a price around $450 would be the price of the new model.

If it gets cheap enough, maybe I'll pick one up.

Is the $400 price just speculation? I mean, given the $599 price of the 80GB model, I'd be more apt to think that a price around $450 would be the price of the new model.

If it gets cheap enough, maybe I'll pick one up.

Just speculation, but it seems to be the number that various news stories are quoting. We'll see soon enough.

Completely and utterly ridiculous that they are introducing yet another SKU IMO, especially with yet another harddrive size. I'm scratching my head in amazement.

If theres software, gamers will come.

That would only be 2 skus in production.

Completely and utterly ridiculous that they are introducing yet another SKU IMO, especially with yet another harddrive size. I'm scratching my head in amazement.

If theres software, gamers will come.


360 Core (still made)
360 Pro/Premium (still made)
360 Halo 3 (limited prolly?)
360 Elite (still made)

= 4 in production

PS3 20GB (discontinued)
PS3 40GB (new)
PS3 60GB (discontinued)
PS3 80GB (new)

= 2 in production...

That would only be 2 skus in production.

It would also be the fourth SKU in the NA market within the first 12 months, and a lot of price jockeying to go along. In contrast, the PS2 launched in NA in October 2000 and didn't receive a price cut until 18 months later. I'm not sure exactly how many versions the PS2 saw within the first 12 months, but I don't think it was 4.

It would also be the fourth SKU in the NA market within the first 12 months, and a lot of price jockeying to go along. In contrast, the PS2 launched in NA in October 2000 and didn't receive a price cut until 18 months later. I'm not sure exactly how many versions the PS2 saw within the first 12 months, but I don't think it was 4.

But the PS2 had the monstrous GTA3 exclusive in October 2001 to drive sales, and it wasn't facing much competition from the Dreamcast. And while it wasn't the cheapest thing ever at $299, it didn't induce the same level of sticker shock that the $599 PS3 has. Very different situations.

- Jer

Sorry, I'm confused. I re-read your post a couple times and I don't see the "proof" of the PS3 under $400? I see the FCC label for a new PS3, where is the price "proof" and the "before Christmas" proof, as opposed to more rumor?

Is the $400 price just speculation? I mean, given the $599 price of the 80GB model, I'd be more apt to think that a price around $450 would be the price of the new model.

If it gets cheap enough, maybe I'll pick one up.

There's also speculation the 80GB model may be dropped to $499 sometime before xmas so $399 for the 40GB would fit right.

Also on a total guess (wishful thinking maybe) I had, I've seen the 2 usb rumor and a no usb rumor. Maybe the no usb rumor is from someone who saw the fcc test model, but didn't realize the 2 usbs... are in the back. That would also help out the "media center" image Sony wants and get rid of ugly cables coming out the front of peoples entertainment centers.

It would also be the fourth SKU in the NA market within the first 12 months, and a lot of price jockeying to go along. In contrast, the PS2 launched in NA in October 2000 and didn't receive a price cut until 18 months later. I'm not sure exactly how many versions the PS2 saw within the first 12 months, but I don't think it was 4.

Times change. Sony is this the underdog this generation, and has to be nimble. A $399 PS3 with an enticing bundle is just what they need. (The only worrisome thing is it almost makes too much sence)

There's also speculation the 80GB model may be dropped to $499 sometime before xmas so $399 for the 40GB would fit right.

Also on a total guess (wishful thinking maybe) I had, I've seen the 2 usb rumor and a no usb rumor. Maybe the no usb rumor is from someone who saw the fcc test model, but didn't realize the 2 usbs... are in the back. That would also help out the "media center" image Sony wants and get rid of ugly cables coming out the front of peoples entertainment centers.

2 USB's in the rear doesn't sound logicial, because it would be too much of a pain to re-charge the sixasis with a rear-USB. (It would have been nice with the original PS3 to have 2 in the front and 2 in the rear though)

The no-USB rumour is just plain silly.

is AVS Ent Tonight now, "PROOF INSIDE" LOL

how about y'all make a RUMOR sticky so they wont clutter the boards.

Sorry, I'm confused. I re-read your post a couple times and I don't see the "proof" of the PS3 under $400? I see the FCC label for a new PS3, where is the price "proof" and the "before Christmas" proof, as opposed to more rumor?

Well im sorry if I didn't supply you with a cute walmart $400 ps3 for holiday. I never specified what was the proof about and I never say that the proof were involved in the price or the time, you skip my "?" mark it seems :D :D

Now having that clear, and my opinion (I know you don't care about my opinion).

In my mind.

Facts:

FCC paper saying confirming a new sku with less things on it. (*exist*)
>
Less features in most cases and in most markets means cheaper. (*proved*)
>
80GB PS3 Having awful sales (the 60GB, also). (*proved*)
>
Xmas being the most important season in the console market. (*proved*)
>
Xbox 360 owning everything with Halo 3. (*proved*)

After think about those facts my senses start reacting and my head start the think process.

FCC paper confirms a new sku. That new sku will have less features which means that a price reduction its highly probable. Now I ask myself, why it doesn't sell to well? (hint: sales increased over 100% when they dropped the 60GB to $500) ohh, then my common sense tell me that what they need its a cheaper one.

^^^that its just the facts and I didn't even explained them all because its pretty obvious.

Now you complement it with rumors (that make sense).

a 40GB ps3?

Hmm just removing the usb ports and card readers wouldn't be enough, maybe reducing the HDD space and *removing BC chip* <(got to be careful with that one), would save them some more money,but still they got to be losing money. They are not thinking in profit obviously observing the crucial situation of the HW sales. Also they can recuperate that money if they sell well.

The pricing:

It can't be a $400 ps3 only, that would be awful for the 80GB one. It makes more sense something like (40GB - 400), (60GB - $450) and (80GB - $500).

Dates rumors:

Suddenly there are rumors but not remote rumors, there rumors from France, Italy, Spain, etc, about a drop in the price and the dates. Trusted sources and among the retailers. The date is not specify but they say "sometime in october" for EU and all the sources agreed that its going to be an official *surprise* announce the in oct 12. anything announced before Dec 25 its before xmas.

and thats it.

Thats basically how the facts and rumors (the ones that makes sense) common sense and logic works in the human, are not we just great?

That been said, you would like to bet? :D:D

2 USB's in the rear doesn't sound logicial, because it would be too much of a pain to re-charge the sixasis with a rear-USB. (It would have been nice with the original PS3 to have 2 in the front and 2 in the rear though)

The no-USB rumour is just plain silly.

Obviously no usbs is silly. But if someone not knowledgeable saw aPS3 without usbs in front, they might say it has none.

The logic behind having them in the rear, is that if I'm using my Ps3 as an entertainment hub, in my fancy AV case, I might not want ugly cords sticking out the front. I have many other usbs around, all will work for charging my controller. I could also run a usb from the rear, to anywhere I choose. I run mine out the back and then to the top. (so I charge my controllers on top of my entertainment center) But the cords are still visible because the usbs are in front.

Like I said, mostly (mostly all) wishful thinking on my part. And 2 front, 2 rear would have been nice.

meijer was selling 60gb for $399

Misleading title. There is no proof here at all of a 400 dollar ps3.

Misleading title. There is no proof here at all of a 400 dollar ps3.

There is, however, proof of a new sku at a lower price point than the existing model.

Well im sorry if I didn't supply you with a cute walmart $400 ps3 for holiday. I never specified what was the proof about and I never say that the proof were involved in the price or the time, you skip my "?" mark it seems :D :D

Now having that clear, and my opinion (I know you don't care about my opinion).

In my mind.

Facts:

FCC paper saying confirming a new sku with less things on it. (*exist*)
>
Less features in most cases and in most markets means cheaper. (*proved*)
>
80GB PS3 Having awful sales (the 60GB, also). (*proved*)
>
Xmas being the most important season in the console market. (*proved*)
>
Xbox 360 owning everything with Halo 3. (*proved*)

After think about those facts my senses start reacting and my head start the think process.

FCC paper confirms a new sku. That new sku will have less features which means that a price reduction its highly probable. Now I ask myself, why it doesn't sell to well? (hint: sales increased over 100% when they dropped the 60GB to $500) ohh, then my common sense tell me that what they need its a cheaper one.

^^^that its just the facts and I didn't even explained them all because its pretty obvious.

Now you complement it with rumors (that make sense).

a 40GB ps3?

Hmm just removing the usb ports and card readers wouldn't be enough, maybe reducing the HDD space and *removing BC chip* <(got to be careful with that one), would save them some more money,but still they got to be losing money. They are not thinking in profit obviously observing the crucial situation of the HW sales. Also they can recuperate that money if they sell well.

The pricing:

It can't be a $400 ps3 only, that would be awful for the 80GB one. It makes more sense something like (40GB - 400), (60GB - $450) and (80GB - $500).

Dates rumors:

Suddenly there are rumors but not remote rumors, there rumors from France, Italy, Spain, etc, about a drop in the price and the dates. Trusted sources and among the retailers. The date is not specify but they say "sometime in october" for EU and all the sources agreed that its going to be an official *surprise* announce the in oct 12. anything announced before Dec 25 its before xmas.

and thats it.

Thats basically how the facts and rumors (the ones that makes sense) common sense and logic works in the human, are not we just great?

That been said, you would like to bet? :D:D


Your question market comes before the "proof inside" Grammatically, it reads as if you are answering the question with proof inside.

Don't get me wrong, the $400 PS3 with the 40 gig drive seems very likely to happen by the holidays. But there have been a ton of rumor posts that don't really add to the facts. I generally ignore them now. I read yours because you said "proof" but what exactly did you add to the proof category that hadn't been reported already? You have a picture of a SKU that confirms there will be a discrete product, that's fine.

Most of the other things you describe have nothing to do with proof -- they are the same assumptive reasons most people have been speculating on the new prices. They are logical inferences, not proof. Perhaps if you had said ("my logic inside") it would have made sense...

And I particularly don't understand you're leap to assume the $100 price drop on the 80 gig this season, which is also widely reported but not proven. Sure it may happen, but it is a stretch to assume it as there are just as many facts to build a case that it won't. If sales alone was grounds for Sony to act then all that proves is they have acted illogically for a year now, so then building a case on logic is incongruent with the situation. I am personally neutral on whether they will – I don’t think available information proves it one way or the other. But since the case has been widely made by the speculators for the drop, here are some counter points:

* The Apple iPhone. Look at the PR and core fan base mess they got in when they dropped the price on their high end unit several months after releasing it. They ended up having to do rebates. By comparison, the 80 gig PS3 has officially been out 1 month. If they drop it before the holidays, they will get similar negative responses from the press and people who bought it, especially when it will be widely assumed (as it is here), that they already had a plan to drop it all along as soon as they sold out of the old 60 gig units. Sure they can drop adding Motorstorm to the package and try to claim it’s something different, but that’s a weak excuse. Much easier to push the 40 gig lower price point now and wait until February to drop the 80 gig unit.

* With the 40 gig unit, they don’t need to. The people on this board are not typical holiday shoppers. The typical shopper is not doing the math and talking about buying a raw HD to replace the one that comes with the unit. So most people will get the 40 gig unit and those that don’t typically will fit into one of two categories: 1) Those that aren’t price sensitive (a very real market); 2) Those that are price sensitive but still really want the high end unit.

* The 80 gig is competitively priced relative to the competition. Again, with the $399 entry unit, they will look at the 80 gig as the differentiated high end unit. By comparison, users would have to shell out for an Xbox 360, plus an external HD-DVD drive and Wi-Fi, speed more and still end up with a smaller HD.

I personally have no idea if they drop the $80 gig price this year. I won’t be surprised if they do, but I won’t be surprised if they don’t. I just haven’t seen any “proof.”

There is, however, proof of a new sku at a lower price point than the existing model.

I didn't read it carefully so I probably just missed it. Where does the SKU show it will be a "lower price point"? Or is that just the assumption based on the feature set?

There is, however, proof of a new sku at a lower price point than the existing model.

Actually no theres not. Theres proof there is a new sku. Thats it.

You have no idea how the product will be priced.



Currently there are 2 PS3 sku's available. Priced at $499 and $599.

Last year there were 2 PS3 sku's available. Priced at $499 and $599.


When the new sku is made available for purchase in the future (there is no guarantee of price or release date).

It very well could be made into the same situation.

2 PS3 sku's available. Priced at $499 and $599.



I'm not saying the situation is the most intelligent route. As most would agree the price does need to be lowered. But there is still no proof of price or release date in this entire thread.. just proof of a new sku.

I didn't read it carefully so I probably just missed it. Where does the SKU show it will be a "lower price point"? Or is that just the assumption based on the feature set?

If Sony ships a reduced feature set product for more money than the current model, that will be contrary to all normal behavior in the CE industry.

Not to mention that it would crazy for them to ship another high priced PS3. I see the reduced feature set as conclusive proof of a lower price model coming in time for Christmas.

I don't see how anyone would think that Sony would be stupid enough to ship a stripped down PS3 at the same price ($499) of the full-featured 60gb version. It is completely illogical. I think it is almost guaranteed that the new sku will be priced somewhere below $499.

Sony has announced a Press Conference for October 12th, a price cut and/or new model is expected to be announced then.

If Sony ships a reduced feature set product for more money than the current model, that will be contrary to all normal behavior in the CE industry.

Not to mention that it would crazy for them to ship another high priced PS3. I see the reduced feature set as conclusive proof of a lower price model coming in time for Christmas.

The feature set isn't even all that reduced, if you looked at the full comparison specs the OP linked. This new SKU apparently still has the built-in Wi-Fi antenna and of course the Blu-Ray drive. It might be missing a couple USB ports but aside from that and probably having a smaller hard drive, it's identical to the older models. If they sold that for less than $400, it's definitely a great (starting) price.

Again, all these things are logical inferences. I'm not saying otherwise. I think people need to look up the meaning of proof it all. A lot of people have posted messages on this called "RUMOR: ..." That's fine. What we have are rumors and very logical assumptions. Probably right about the basic idea and possibly wrong about the specifics just have many of the posts have been so far...

posted by sharpyie in a different thread.

Sony Readies PlayStation 3 40GB for Launch, Axes Backward Compatibility.
Sony’s PS3 40GB Set to Emerge in Late October, No PS2 Compatibility Projected
http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/multimedia/display/20071002164424.html

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. will reportedly release its long-awaited cost-effective PlayStation 3 game console in late October, in time for late year sales. However, the new console will supposedly not be compatible with PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games at all, a significant drawback to experienced PlayStation gamers.

Documents from Best Buy retail network in the U.S. published by Engadget web-site reveal that starting from the 28th of October the retail chain will sell Sony PlayStation 3 40GB with Spider Man 3 movie on Blu-ray disc for as low as $399, the lowest price for a PlayStation 3 ever in the USA. The new “low-cost” model will also be on sale in Europe, however, its price in the region remains to be seen.

A console that can play all PS3 games is a PS3. There could be 100 models with prices ranging from $300 to $600, it doesn't matter if they all can play all PS3 games.