AfterDawn: News

Sony confirms 40GB PS3 in the US

Images, rumors and articles have been thrown around the Internet of the new 40Gb Playstation 3 but no one had been able to confirm what Sony's plan with the new console was, until today. Sony Computer Entertainment America president Jack Tretton has announced today that Sony officially backs the $400 40Gb Playstation 3 for sale in the US.

The new system will hit the shelves November 2nd, just in time for the holiday season, but that's not all. The 80Gb version of the PS3 will now see a $100 price drop from $600 to $500. This begs to question what happens to the middle-class 60Gb version?



There are a few changes in the 40Gb PS3 that may not sit well with gamers. The omission of two USB ports, down from four and the exclusion of any memory slots for different media types are two lesser cuts to the console. The biggest cost cutting technique just may make gamers cry foul however. The 40Gb PS3 will be the first in the lineup to not be backwards compatible with older Playstation and Playstation 2 titles. "Backward compatibility is a nice secondary consideration, but it's far from the number-one priority, said Tretton. This seems like a strange departure since one of their earlier campaigns when they were about to launch was the fact that they were fully backwards compatible.

There are rumors, but no confirmation of a pack-in Blu-ray movie with the 40Gb PS3. That movie being Spiderman 3.

Source:
ARS Technica

Written by: Dave Horvath @ 18 Oct 2007 12:08

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• 24 comments

• SProdigy

  We know it's just a rumor, but they better pack Spider-Man 3 and a DUAL SHOCK 3 CONTROLLER just like it's Japanese counterpart. Doing any less is a crime to US customers!
  
  Hahah, I think it's funny, because Sony was touting how their BWC versus the 360 back when PS3 launched last year, and now it's "no longer a priority".

  18.10.2007 12:55 #1

• chubbyInc

  A desperate marketing scheme that will suit to the masses. I think the main issues is games. There still aren't enough PS3 games on the market and losing backward compatibility make the PS3 unfavorable. Sony has tried numerous things to lure in gamers, Blu-Ray movies, price, free online, over Advertising, and so on.... When all they really have to do is put out a better selection of unique games, which aren't available on other systems. The price might look better now, but still not worth it in the end, so far anyways.

  18.10.2007 12:56 #2

• maryjayne

  Not backwards compatible and still not getting a huge amount of games on the market. How is this going to sell?

  18.10.2007 12:56 #3

• vinny13

  Does the 80GB still have BWC? I can't remember if it gets updates for it or not...

  18.10.2007 12:57 #4

• TProfit

  Yes the 40GB doesnt have backwards capabilities but are you forgetting that the 80GB does. Sony is now offering an option for the people where money is the most important thing and there is still a choice for people who want the best of both worlds and they even dropped the price on that version too. I already have my PS3, got it at launch and Im happy I did cause I got what I needed and I didnt mind the price, but I know for some people price is a huge issue. Now you have the options to get which system fits your life style the best. Everyone complains about the price, they drop that and people still complain. Yeah they need more games, but its the first year out. All systems suck during that first year. Give it time, the investment was worth it to me. If you dont think so then dont buy the system, wait for that perfect game then get it, or just shut up about it!

  18.10.2007 13:16 #5

• chubbyInc

  * Although I thought this comment was good, it could promote flaming *

  18.10.2007 13:43 #6

• Propagand

  Finally. I was wanting a 80 GB because i didnt want to get the 60 and be miserable because some features the 80 had that the 60 didnt. So im happy that they lowered the price on the 80. So instead of paying $600 for 1, I can pay half a grand and get a game for it and save $30. haha

  18.10.2007 13:55 #7

• monkey83

  Is there something special hardware wise that is needed for the backwards compatibility? Or is it all software? Because if it is just a matter of loading on the software, wouldn't it be in Sony's best interests to have that so that at least they will be getting some more revenue from game sales?
  
  Also what are the USB ports even needed for? I guess if you want to plug in a keyboard and mouse. But then again, couldn't you always just plug in a USB hub, same if you wanted a USB card reader? Seems like an easy solution. The price difference between the hard 40 and 80gig drives is less then $10USD as well, but you know Sony is getting them cheaper.

  18.10.2007 14:02 #8

• windsong

  Now all they need is games.

  18.10.2007 14:30 #9

• SProdigy

  Originally posted by monkey83: Also what are the USB ports even needed for?Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but you need the USB ports to initialize a particular controller with a particular system (ie. your controller with yours, and then you have to do it again if you take it to your friend's PS3.) I know this was true during launch, but with the different revisions to hardware and software, maybe it's not anymore?

  18.10.2007 14:31 #10

• 24Lover

  Originally posted by vinny13: Does the 80GB still have BWC? I can't remember if it gets updates for it or not...Yes it does.
  
  Originally posted by SProdigy: Hahah, I think it's funny, because Sony was touting how their BWC versus the 360 back when PS3 launched last year, and now it's "no longer a priority".Sony BWC is still better than 360 trust me on that one because i own both system & Sony is still sending out BWC in some of there firmware updates.Sony dropped the BWC to cut cost & focus more on the PS3.Like most 360 owner's say they have a choice now PS3 owner's can say the same.

  18.10.2007 15:58 #11

• ikari

  That is not good. I hope there is an easy way to id this model. The "Trade In" community might get confused and think they are getting a backwards compatible model when they really aren't.
  
  And to be honest, what the heck is up with all of the different SKUs? Both the Xbox 360 and the PS3 are guilty of confusing the customer. If I am not mistaken the Wii doesn't have this issue.

  18.10.2007 16:11 #12

• Edgewise

  Originally posted by SProdigy:
  Hahah, I think it's funny, because Sony was touting how their BWC versus the 360 back when PS3 launched last year, and now it's "no longer a priority".
  yeah, but you can't make everyone happy. If they added that, they couldn't drop the price as much, thereby pissing some other people off about the price. It's a never ending cycle.

  18.10.2007 16:30 #13

• JorDogg

  Iv had my PS3 since launch and i still havent played one PS2 title on it, I diddnt buy a $1000 consol to play PS2 titles!
  
  although i am happy i got mine at launch when it did have BWC just in case i do decide to go old school haha

  18.10.2007 17:26 #14

• ZippyDSM

  the thing is software BWC dose not cost anything when tis already on the other unit, they are dcking with the consumer nuff said......

  19.10.2007 00:39 #15

• saltynuts

  i think this is a smart move by sony it gives the consumer a chance to buy a ps3 at a damn goog price.now all they need to do is pack in those dual shock 3 puppies and its a go.no doubt the good games will come and the online service will get better this is good for all console owners and fanboys alike,you see each time sony make a good move M$ has to make a move and so and so on.this is win win.befor you know it you may have no choice but to own them both because they both will be that damn good.

  19.10.2007 09:54 #16

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by saltynuts: i think this is a smart move by sony it gives the consumer a chance to buy a ps3 at a damn goog price.now all they need to do is pack in those dual shock 3 puppies and its a go.no doubt the good games will come and the online service will get better this is good for all console owners and fanboys alike,you see each time sony make a good move M$ has to make a move and so and so on.this is win win.befor you know it you may have no choice but to own them both because they both will be that damn good.but that dose not relive the issue of BWC is free since they are working on it regardless removing it from it is like them trying to remove HDMI from the 500$ model so long ago, if you recall they changed that plan last minute because they awaken from their madness long enough to see it.

  19.10.2007 11:13 #17

• saltynuts

  how right you are zipp but how many people will play ps2 games on a ps3.not as many as you may think i mean most people traded in their old ps2 stuff for credit towards the ps3.in short yes it is always good to have the option to play those old games on new hardware.but in the long run it is a new machine made for for new software.if you can own a ps3 cheaper than gone with BWC.and hold on to your ps2.

  19.10.2007 11:59 #18

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by saltynuts: how right you are zipp but how many people will play ps2 games on a ps3.not as many as you may think i mean most people traded in their old ps2 stuff for credit towards the ps3.in short yes it is always good to have the option to play those old games on new hardware.but in the long run it is a new machine made for for new software.if you can own a ps3 cheaper than gone with BWC.and hold on to your ps2.From sonys perspective they are manging moeny flow by making this they will slow sales of it thus keep losses at a min for the short trem while blustering PS2 sales ya it will work somewhat but they are headed for losses regardless and this anti consumer dcking about is just not god....
  

  For all the console/game fanboys out their.
  http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles...Console-Rundown
  Oh god I can't stop laughing!!!

  19.10.2007 12:10 #19

• oscarin

  hey whats next, buy a new car but we are gonna take two tires off of it, ha.

  19.10.2007 12:15 #20

• saltynuts

  Originally posted by oscarin: hey whats next, buy a new car but we are gonna take two tires off of it, ha.
  
  
  not the same try this
  
  
  
  
  buy a new car with a cd player no casset deck.it just makes more sense than we will keep two tires.you cant sell a car with missing tires for new price but you can remove a outdated tape player.same as the ps3 there are still tones of people that have and listen to tape but in the corperate world many speak over the few.so that is why BWC has to go.just hold on to the ps2.also with car you can have your tapes but it will cost a little more money.

  19.10.2007 13:27 #21

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by saltynuts: Originally posted by oscarin: hey whats next, buy a new car but we are gonna take two tires off of it, ha.
  
  
  not the same try this
  
  
  
  
  buy a new car with a cd player no casset deck.it just makes more sense than we will keep two tires.you cant sell a car with missing tires for new price but you can remove a outdated tape player.same as the ps3 there are still tones of people that have and listen to tape but in the corperate world many speak over the few.so that is why BWC has to go.just hold on to the ps2.also with car you can have your tapes but it will cost a little more money.the trouble is they are removing the zone AC feature that they were selling it on it still functions fine but it lacks the detail it had befor, value added BWC is free since they are working on it by removing it this model they are selling a car without a trunk,sure you can get around but tis lacking in features.
  

  For all the console/game fanboys out their.
  http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles...Console-Rundown
  Oh god I can't stop laughing!!!

  19.10.2007 14:00 #22

• ZzeusS

  PS.. 3? Is that something like the Xbox360? I don't recognize the name.

  19.10.2007 14:21 #23

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by ZzeusS: PS.. 3? Is that something like the Xbox360? I don't recognize the name.yes in fact they are back tracking so much it makes it look like the 360 half the time!
  LOL

  19.10.2007 14:24 #24