Sony: PS3 News and Discussion Thread
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Sony Halves PS3 Costs
From IGN...
Sony has managed to bring production costs of the PS3 down to around $400, a near halving of the initial $800 it took to manufacture the machine upon its launch at the end of 2006.
The drop, as reported by Spong, can likely be attributed to a continuing simplification of the PS3 components and features. With both the 20GB and 60GB models being phased out, and with more readily available Blu-ray technology and the loss of backwards compatibility on the now-standard 40GB model, Sony can finally look to make a profit on each console sold.
Whether this will filter down into a cut of the retail price is unlikely in the near future, though after a rough 2007 it will at least put smiles back on the faces of Sony executives.
The drop, as reported by Spong, can likely be attributed to a continuing simplification of the PS3 components and features. With both the 20GB and 60GB models being phased out, and with more readily available Blu-ray technology and the loss of backwards compatibility on the now-standard 40GB model, Sony can finally look to make a profit on each console sold.
Whether this will filter down into a cut of the retail price is unlikely in the near future, though after a rough 2007 it will at least put smiles back on the faces of Sony executives.
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This is speculation, but not surprising. Yeah I think it's almost time to buy one.
http://arstechnica.com/journals/thum...ock-3-incoming
http://arstechnica.com/journals/thum...ock-3-incoming
Mole: 80GB PS3 dead, 120-160GB with Dual Shock 3 incoming
By Ben Kuchera | Published: January 27, 2008 - 10:45PM CT
Our inside source of all things video gaming has been right almost every time it comes out of the shadows to give us information, so I'm going to dispense with the back story. Wherever his or her information is coming from, it's usually solid. After I spoke to Sony about the possible discontinuation of the 80GB PS3 model, I lit the mole-signal.
Working late into the night on Saturday, I heard a noise behind me. For both of our safety, I didn't turn around. "You've talked to Sony," the mole said in a gravelly whisper. "Tell me what they told you."
I repeated the information we reported on Friday: Sony is sticking to a two-model approach at retail, but the company won't comment on whether or not the other model would be the 80GB system. The 40GB system seems safe. I asked the mole what information he had.
"Sony is, in fact, phasing out the 80GB PS3. Sony is going to stay with the two-SKU approach though, and the prices look to stay the same," the mole told me. I heard sirens in the background, and the mole seemed nervous. "The Spiderman 3 pack-in will disappear as well once the 80GB unit is gone. In order to maintain a similar value proposition to the 80GB/Spiderman 3 bundle, I expect to see a storage increase to 120 or 160GB at the same price point, plus the new Dual-Shock 3 controller... what are you trying to accomplish with this story?"
"I'm just trying to get to the bottom of Sony's plans for their hardware so my readers can decide whether or not they should buy now, or hold off. But I'm only one man," I say.
"Now we're two," the mole whispers, and when I look around in surprise... my informant was already gone.
By Ben Kuchera | Published: January 27, 2008 - 10:45PM CT
Our inside source of all things video gaming has been right almost every time it comes out of the shadows to give us information, so I'm going to dispense with the back story. Wherever his or her information is coming from, it's usually solid. After I spoke to Sony about the possible discontinuation of the 80GB PS3 model, I lit the mole-signal.
Working late into the night on Saturday, I heard a noise behind me. For both of our safety, I didn't turn around. "You've talked to Sony," the mole said in a gravelly whisper. "Tell me what they told you."
I repeated the information we reported on Friday: Sony is sticking to a two-model approach at retail, but the company won't comment on whether or not the other model would be the 80GB system. The 40GB system seems safe. I asked the mole what information he had.
"Sony is, in fact, phasing out the 80GB PS3. Sony is going to stay with the two-SKU approach though, and the prices look to stay the same," the mole told me. I heard sirens in the background, and the mole seemed nervous. "The Spiderman 3 pack-in will disappear as well once the 80GB unit is gone. In order to maintain a similar value proposition to the 80GB/Spiderman 3 bundle, I expect to see a storage increase to 120 or 160GB at the same price point, plus the new Dual-Shock 3 controller... what are you trying to accomplish with this story?"
"I'm just trying to get to the bottom of Sony's plans for their hardware so my readers can decide whether or not they should buy now, or hold off. But I'm only one man," I say.
"Now we're two," the mole whispers, and when I look around in surprise... my informant was already gone.
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Originally Posted by srika
This is speculation, but not surprising. Yeah I think it's almost time to buy one.
http://arstechnica.com/journals/thum...ock-3-incoming
http://arstechnica.com/journals/thum...ock-3-incoming
teh Senior Instigator
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From: Huntington Beach, CA -> Ashburn, VA -> Raleigh, NC -> Walnut Creek, CA
Originally Posted by Sarlacc
Sony really knows how to fuck their customers 
how many different changes has the ps3 had since its release now?
how many different changes has the ps3 had since its release now?too many
I now wish I had waited and bought a 40GB for $200 cheaper then I bought my 60 GB 
Oh well, had I known I'd have to wait a year, i'd still do what I did
Although, I don't look at any of it as them fucking me....just natural technology progression.
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Originally Posted by Sarlacc
Sony really knows how to fuck their customers how many different changes has the ps3 had since its release now?
how many different changes has the ps3 had since its release now?the only major thing that i noticed between the 20-60GB versions and the 40-80gb versions was the removal of the emotion engine and slightly larger HD capacity.
and with the supposed newer one coming out, its just what a bigger HD again and the inclusion of DS3 controllers?
The Third Ball
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From: Los Angeles, Ca
Originally Posted by CLpower
Although, I don't look at any of it as them fucking me....just natural technology progression.
With a videogame console that is just swapping out HD sizes, etc etc, I dont see it as just natural progression they arent adding anything in particular to enhance the machines.
They just know they are trailing the pack in video game sales and have to keep trying to entice new buyers. Yet with as quickly as they are swapping drives, they are screwing prior purchasers.
And yes srika...apple did it with the iphone and pissed many people, myself not being one of them. But thats about the one "boo boo" they made like that, and they made reparations to the masses for it.
The Third Ball
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From: Los Angeles, Ca
Originally Posted by srika
no, the iPhone was just one example - it happens all the time over there.
You like to stir the pot with the whole apple hate thing, and for the most you admit to not having any real clue.
Apple doesnt announce when they are going to release new product, everyone knows that. But they dont release an ipod and then 2 months later release an ipod with twice the memory. And most apple fans and smart people know that if you are going to buy apple you get something soon after its announced to avoid the whole OH NO ordeal.
The iphone price drop within 2 months was rare and extreme.
Now, to steer this back on the PROPER subject, all sony is doing is swapping around hard drives and REMOVING (read taking a step backwards) on backward compatibility.
So, with the warner swap, a bunch of people ran out and bought PS3s...and now bam, bigger HDs at the same cost with 2-3 months...and how long has it been since they pulled the last HDD swap BS?
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Originally Posted by Sarlacc
But they dont release an ipod and then 2 months later release an ipod with twice the memory.
The Third Ball
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From: Los Angeles, Ca
Originally Posted by srika
you're grossly exaggerating - of course its not 2 months, but sure they do. how many new ipods have there been over the past few years?
Because when you are asking a few years you ARE talking about technological advancement. The ipods have changed and gotten better in those few years. Not just added more storage.
Apple gained top spot in marketshare for MP3 players and they work to hold on to with all the competition out there.
Sony had the top stop and fucked it all to hell with the PS3...and they cant seem to stop themselves from doing it further. How long has the PS3 been out now? a little over a year? How many changes has it had already? And in one of those changes didnt they actually TAKE AWAY a function (backwards compatibility) from certain models?
give me a break dude.
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ipods suck. they havent improved the most basic things like adding a custom EQ (one example). So dont tell me they "got better" over the years. Color screen, BFD. video, bfd all the other players have it too. Take a GUI from a Cowon or Meizu and it BLOWS AWAY apple's archaic ipod gui, hands down. In that regard, yes, all they have been doing is adding more space.
The PS3 had a rough start,
- in a year or 2 I think the story will be different. Sony had to make changes to reduce production costs because they admittedly were taking a huge hit. By the way - currently it costs 1/2 the amount it costed to produce a PS3 initially.
The PS3 had a rough start,
- in a year or 2 I think the story will be different. Sony had to make changes to reduce production costs because they admittedly were taking a huge hit. By the way - currently it costs 1/2 the amount it costed to produce a PS3 initially.
