http://www.psxextreme.com/ps3-news/2185.html

Apparently the 40gb will be the standard.

Breaking News: 40GB PS3 Is The Future


View Large ImageWill the real PlayStation 3 please stand up?

Perhaps coming as a big surprise to everyone, it appears the recently introduced 80GB PS3 will not be the wave of the future as initially expected. Rather, it will be the even more recent 40GB model, which Sony described as an "entry level" system. According to a recent games.iafrica.com interview with Steve Foster, Sales & Marketing Manager of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, the 60GB and 80GB models will be phased out over time, and the one and only PS3 available worldwide will be the 40GB version. Here's the exact quote from the interview:

"The model of choice, going forward, is going to be the 40GB," said Foster. "So when you say the 60GB is going to be phased out, that is absolutely correct. And our manufacturing plant has already stopped production of 60GB..." He goes on to confirm this is a "worldwide" decision.

Obviously, this means many of the features we originally saw in the 60GB model aren't going to be around, which may puzzle some consumers. iAfrica asked Foster about those missing features, and as it turns out, he's not all that concerned and doesn't really consider them to be crucial.

"When you say "features" the key elements that are missing is going to be an element of hard drive, but that has come about because of the research that we've done as to what is the required amount that is used at this stage; the type of user that is using a PS3. And then yes, the ports have been taken out so there are only two USB ports, and then of course the memory stick ports have been taken out."

Foster confirms the reason for doing this is to cut production costs of the system: "making a PS3 in a 60GB or 80GB model is very expensive," he said. With the holidays here, Sony apparently realized they needed to cut the price, and thus, the 40GB model was born. Unfortunately for those of you with big PS2 libraries, this model in no way supports any PS2 titles, although it will support PS1 games. Foster said the only software updates that will happen in the 40GB model will be for PS1 games, and "PlayStation 2 will not be supported."

Okay, so bottom line- if you want either the 60GB model (there are a few still around) or the 80GB model, we strongly suggest you act now. Because it won't be long before there is only one option, and it's gonna be the one with the least amount of features. However, it will also be the most competitively priced one, and to Sony and most consumers, that's what really matters in the long run.

I was planning on going purple when MGS4 came out, I guess I had better grab a 60gb soon to get the backward compatability and the SACD.

Glad I got my 60gb back in August...

You can upgrade the hardrive as most here know but the fact that not everyone is interested in spending extra money to do so and opt for the 80(for the future downloads that they have been promising like movies, tv shows etc.)

I don't get why they keep making the systems and then killing them off in such a short period of time.

i have to agree, Sony is introducing and killing off models too quickly, its making some consumers confused. i also think they should keep the 40GB and 80GB models as they are quite different from one another and gives consumers a choice.

I think it is a mistake not having any models with backward compatibility. Sony has evidently reduced manufacturing costs on the 40gb to the point that it is their preferred model.

Yeah, I don't understand killing off the 80GB model.

They make stuff that's far more niche than the 80GB. That $3000 Blu-Ray Home Theater PC for example.

If they have a problem with sales, just make less! But make it avaiable at least.

If they kill off the 60GB/80GB completely, the current owners of those systems may have something very valuable on their hands.

I think it is a mistake not having any models with backward compatibility. Sony has evidently reduced manufacturing costs on the 40gb to the point that it is their preferred model.

Perhaps the orginal PS3 was just too much tech too quickly.

I can see alot of these features being reintroduced once the price of the PS3 goes down even more. But that would be even more confusing to the consumer. They should just ride it out.

20 to 60 to 80 to 40 to...?
Too many models. Go with something and stick with it. I wouldn't want a new model unless it's slim.

According to Sony the 40G with a movie doubled sales from the 80G with a game.

Its not unlikely that Sony will want to phase out the SKU that costs more to manufacture and seems to appeal to far less people.

IMHO it seems that the $400 number is the magic number for movie fans. The price difference is only $100 without considering the game and only $40 when you include it. It seems unlikely THAT many gamers would get off the fence over a $100 drop thats really a $40 drop for them.

Right now we have a plethora of BOGO BR sales and a PS3 with one of the years biggest hit movies for $400.

The fact that Sony chose to release the cheaper model with a movie and not a game seems to poitn that Sony is expecting movie fans to be the newest PS3 owners and hope they buy games and not the other way around.

Phased out over time could mean anything but I agree moving to the cheaper and popular number of $400 is a good move. THe more sell the more we as owners will benifit.

Meh, he never says anything about discontinuing the 80GB model. The article is just speculating, so treat it as such.

I looked and looked but I didnt see anywhere in the article about the 80g going anywhere. I saw that the 60g was going to be phased out and that the 40g is their model of choice but I didnt see specifically where it says that the 80g is going along with the 60g.

Plus WTF is iafrica? I doubt they are going to get breaking news like this first.

If sales doubled from the 40gb model it's only because of the $100 price difference. I just got an 80 yesterday, so I don't know what the differences are between the models other than the hard drive. Drives are so cheap anymore that I think there should be just a single unit with at least a 120GB drive. It's a media server as well as a gaming machine and the space is nice to have.

I also bought a ps3 yesterday (40gig model) but haven't opened it yet thinking I may take it back and spring for the 80 gig version.

What am I giving up by not springing for the extra $100 besides the 40 gig storage and two (?) extra USB ports. These features don't seem that important but maybe I am missing something

I hope this ends as just a rumor. The "value engineering" Sony has been inflicting upon the PS3 platform has been quite disappointing. Sure, there are some good things that have come of newer models (lower power consumption due to smaller CPU architecture, better/multiple bluetooth radios), but these come at the apparent expense of some core functionality.

The original 60GB PS3 was a good box. It did everything gamers wanted of it. It was a one-stop replacement for all previous Playstation consoles, offering almost full backwards compatibility with all past titles, and it offered the potential for "next-gen" high-definition games. The only real complaints against it were the high price and weak game selection. The price would have resolved itself as components got cheaper to manufacture over time. Likewise, the game selection also only needs time for developers to finish producing the titles.

There are various superficial changes Sony could have done to cut back costs. Changing around hard drive sizes, number of USB ports, and the memory card reader are all trivial changes that users can easily overcome (upgrade the hard drive, plug in a USB hub, plug in a USB memory card reader). Stripping out the EE+GS chip only saves a nominal amount of the manufacturing costs (~3%, based on original 60GB costs - link (http://www.isuppli.com/news/default.asp?id=6919)), and, as far as I know, has no workaround other than running two consoles.

The fact that Sony chose to release the cheaper model with a movie and not a game seems to poitn that Sony is expecting movie fans to be the newest PS3 owners and hope they buy games and not the other way around.

My interpretation is that Sony wants gamers to know that the PS3 is also a Blu-ray player. Outside of AVS I question how many people are buying PS3's for movie capabilities alone.

Just my opinion though. Would be interesting to see some kind of statistics if there was a medium to query without a bias.

I also bought a ps3 yesterday (40gig model) but haven't opened it yet thinking I may take it back and spring for the 80 gig version.

What am I giving up by not springing for the extra $100 besides the 40 gig storage and two (?) extra USB ports. These features don't seem that important but maybe I am missing something

IMO, the only thing you're really giving up is backwards compatibility.

I went with a 40 yesterday because I was replacing a 60, and I didn't need a second copy of Motorstorm. I'm really happy with how much better the bluetooth works, and how quiet and cool it runs compared to the 60.

Also, even though backwards compatibility would be nice, the only game I really care about is Guitar Hero which doesn't work right on the PS3 anyway. If they don't put the 80s pack out there as DLC for Guitar Hero 3, I'll just pick up a cheap $99 PS2 in the spring to cover that and to play my older PS2 games.

this is a dumb move by SONY!!! People know you get what you pay for in this life time I rather buy a 80gb 500 dollar PS3 than a 400 dollar 40gb PS3....

http://www.psxextreme.com/ps3-news/2185.html

Apparently the 40gb will be the standard.


Why do this?

Unless you want BC there is no reason as you can add your own hard drive.....:)

A smart move by Sony in my books, and expected. Aside from BC(which i'm still guessing will come back with a full software emulation solution) there isn't much in the way of added perceived value in the 60 and 80GB editions to the majority of the public. And to those that is does matter, would have picked up a PS3 in their wanted version by now.

They are just responding to the market, and the market has spoken, they want more 40GBs.

Just because they are making the 40GB the primary production and stocking option, it doesn't mean there isn't going to be a premium model anymore. The rumoured DVR model still might make it over here to cater towards enthusiasts or another new model has just as much chance of popping up.

Anyway, more PS3's sold HOPEFULLY will = more/better games released :)

I want a model with a RF Tuner for cable TV or better than that, one that has a cable card with a built in DVR option. Make it so you can stream to other PS3's in your local home network so you can view the content you have stored on the DVR and you have what is called "A ONE ROOM WHOLE HOME SOLUTION!"

Perfect example, I have a HD DVR in my bedroom and a PS3, I would rather the PS3 do my cable decoding considering ALL CABLE BOXES SUCK and just get rid of the cable box. The stream over my network to my PS3 I have in my living room to watch the content I have downloaded on it.

I guess I can wish.

this is a dumb move by SONY!!! People know you get what you pay for in this life time I rather buy a 80gb 500 dollar PS3 than a 400 dollar 40gb PS3....

There's a sucker born every minute.

I'd not take random comments as new policy guys. I doubt Sony will axe the 80. They will want to have a dual sku to compare to the X360 line. They may ship a ton more 40's but there will likely be 80's there too.

Don't be so quick to believe everything you read rumored. When we get a press release, then we'll know.

One thing to keep in mind is this is coming from SCEE and I think we all know they aren't exactly batting 1.000 with their previous statements on the PS3.

I would settle for a SILENT one of any HD size!

I would settle for a SILENT one of any HD size!

You got problems, both of my 60's are quite as a mouse.

You got problems, both of my 60's are quite as a mouse.

Ditto.

You got problems, both of my 60's are quite as a mouse.

My first PS3 was a 20gb, never knew it was on. Replaced it with a 60gb to get wireless and it sounded like a vacuum. Just replaced that one with a 40gb and once again enjoying a silent PS3.

I am not saying that all 60gb are noisy but, there are some that are definitely louder than others.

Uh, he never says anything about phasing out the 80gb model....

I think we all know the 40gb is here to stay, but why would they phase out the higher profit (or lower loss) 80gb model? I'm personally glad I got the 60gb version and would still recommend it if it could be found...

I've heard a few reports of issues with the BT and had a buddy who's 60gb bricked on CoD3, but have never had the slightest issue with mine, and no noise issues either.

I would settle for a SILENT one of any HD size!
40gb - can't hear it 18" away after hours of running = pretty close to silent for me (the HDD is the loudest).

My GF just got me a 60gig for my birthday. She just took a guess at the store and got it right. I love it, and I love the fact that it is the most feature-complete system out there.

I think Sony is making a big mistake by phasing out systems with ANY BC whatsoever. If you remember they used to make a very big deal out of BC and how they were superior to MS because of it. People reasonably expect their new PlayStations to play the old games.

We were at Best Buy last Saturday and people were asking about 60gigs and 80gigs. They only had 40s for sale, though. I do not know if that is because they had 5 60s and 5 80s and 5000 40s, or because people wanted the 60/80 more. Going by sales I'd guess the former.

Do you remember the Commodore 128? No? It emphasized backward compatability even though it had superior advanced capabilities. Developers stayed with the old stuff and not much new was developed for it. Have you seen a 128 lately?