Report: PS3 to have a hard drive after all?

Among the many mysteries swirling around the PS3, one that we thought was settled was the hard drive. Or rather, the lack thereof. After all, Ken Kutaragi himself confirmed all the way back in June of last year that the PS3 would ship without an internal hard drive, saying that "no matter how much [capacity] we put in it, it won't be enough." And since then, all credible reports pointed to the idea that a hard drive would be an option, not a bundled feature. However, we were struck by the statement in a BusinessWeek article about the PS3 that the console would boast "a huge hard disk to store photos, music, and TV shows." Given that the article appears to get just about everything else right, and was written by Japan-based reporter Kenji Hall -- who apparently had direct access to Sony brass -- it would seem odd for this to be simply a mistake. (And Hall seems to know his Sony history, pointing out elsewhere in the article that the failed PSX did have a hard drive). It looks like the case of the PS3 hard drive goes back into the unsolved mysteries file for now.

[James @ Feb 10th 2006 2:16PM]

With everything they "PLAN" on putting in the PS3, this thing is going to be over $1000 to make. How are they going to sell this thing for the $350-$400 everyone is talking about? Last time I checked Sony doesn't have 39Billion in the bank like MS.

[Kamalot @ Feb 10th 2006 2:17PM]

Perhaps it has space for a large hard drive, to be added in later. The PS2 was rumored to come with a hard drive too when they made those claims that it would be used to download movies, music and games.

[Brad @ Feb 10th 2006 2:21PM]

I agree with the essence of what Kutaragi says. In an HD world, you're dealing with mountains of data. Streaming is really the only practical way to handle it.

But you do need some form of cache. Maybe a 40 GB drive?

[Deathwish238 @ Feb 10th 2006 2:23PM]

I don't see how the PS3 is going to be less than $500 as it is let alone with a 'huge hard drive'

[hj @ Feb 10th 2006 2:24PM]

Bsshhh....I'm still convinced there will be no HD. This reporter probablly just spewed it in an attempt to hype up the bs3 and convince xbox 360 buyers to hold off and get a bs3 instead.

I've said it before and nothing has changed in the 10 years since sony entered the market....sony = more of the same.

[Random Thought @ Feb 10th 2006 2:25PM]

Sony and MS are both plenty rich and equally despicable. Apple is despicable, but less rich. They all have their eyes on global domination. Nintento thinks others are despicable and their, uh, stuff don't stink. You don't go looking around for friends in the gaming/computer market.

[Ima Pseudonym @ Feb 10th 2006 2:29PM]

Good chance it will be an optional add-on, I'll betcha. Have a base model PS3, one with HD, etc.

[Mr. Tips @ Feb 10th 2006 2:34PM]

What about the case of the case? Is that still open? �u�k, that thing is ugly.

[daaper @ Feb 10th 2006 2:38PM]

please, please, please let there be a HD...if for no other reason than NO MORE MEMORY CARDS!

[TechBoard @ Feb 10th 2006 2:42PM]

Not surprising really. It takes a lot of juice to try and replace the PC.

Oh, I'm sorry - that'll hurt the Vaio folk. Oh well.

[Rob @ Feb 10th 2006 3:07PM]

That looks like my new George Forman grill.

"The lean mean reduced spec gaming machine!"

[John @ Feb 10th 2006 3:15PM]

Yeah, it's kinda ugly. Not even nearly as pretty as the slim version of the PS2. But at least they got one thing right: a slot load drive. Finally! No tray motor to die out, no exposed lens like a flip-top design. And it really would be nice if it had a hard drive and dropped the requirement for those stupid slow, bulky memory cards, but I's settle for being able to save games directly to USB drive. A hard drive really would help with caching often used parts of games to reduce the painful loading times and wear and tear on the optical drive, too...

[IseWise @ Feb 10th 2006 3:18PM]

Well, with the rumors of the PS3 having a tivo like functionality and the PSP having the ability to stream stuff off the PS3 via a Wi-fi hotspot all signs put to the PS3 having a HDD (two "D"'s last one for "disk" PS3preorders.com) The question really is if the PS3 will come with the HDD installed or not. I would think not to avoid more cost. Its possible to have the console to be in the 400-599? price range but the HDD will come seperate and without the HDD you would have to save to Memory sticks or something else. Just like the new soccer game coming out that will require a HDD, you might need the HDD to do alot in the PS3 like saving media, game saves and etc.

[Nicholas @ Feb 10th 2006 3:21PM]

"Microsoft doesn't have 37 billion dollars in cash reserves. They have been giving out dividends recently and right now they are only sitting on 5 billion in cash. The balance sheet shows they have only 5 billion in cash while their cash flow show their dividends. Their dividends are gigantic to put it simply.

Here is the balance sheet: http://www.hoovers.com/microsoft/--I...-balance.xhtml

Cash Flow Statement:
http://www.hoovers.com/microsoft/--I...fin-cash.xhtml

Lots of errors in this "business" article and it is obvious he does not even have a basic accounting background. They should know that Microsoft recently (in 2004) began paying dividends. In fact that 37 billion dollars cash reserve is long gone."
Copyright: Phryne Astynome

[bd @ Feb 10th 2006 3:29PM]

Yeah, it sure is ugly... but the 360 is fuglier. Concavity... lol.

The worst thing is that they think we are gullible enough to like their designs. Only a PS3 fan would like this, and only a 360 fanboy (not even a fan) would like the "modern concavity".

[JOse @ Feb 10th 2006 3:57PM]

Where will they put the hard drive? Will it be as accessible as the 360's hard drive?

[soopergooman @ Feb 10th 2006 4:03PM]

Ummm being a member at g.a.p. i can tell you that there will be a very huge, not big, huge hdd inside. how else would you be able to utilizwe the dvr functions. also it will come equipped with location free so you can watch, listen, enjoy all the hdd goodies on ur ps3 with ur psp from anywhere in the werld. this and blue ray to boot and a media center to rival that of xsux. also the online gaming werld is in for a treat. you think xlive is good? well thats like having a conversation on two tin cans held together with string(xlive) as compared to chattin it up via pc-pc(PS3). The revolution is not xbux or nintedon't its SONY peeps SONY! when you all finally realize that then and only then will you understand.

[mike @ Feb 10th 2006 4:08PM]

What about Linux?
They said the optional hard drive would come with linux preinstaled.. If it comes with the hard drive standard, does this mean it will include linux as soon as we buy a PS3?
Just hope google launch it's software pack on time for linux on PS3 ;)
I've been dreaming of this device for a while (maybe a Slackware port for Cell)...
Just imagine a PS3 running XGL instead of the normal X11 graphic desktop ;)

[Jake @ Feb 10th 2006 4:12PM]

That is one of the greatest examples of fanboism I've ever seen...

[EdZ @ Feb 10th 2006 4:29PM]

Why does everyone miss the obvious? The 360 came in a HDD and non-HDD version, with one costing less than the other. Why not the same with the PS3?

[-=v00d00=- @ Feb 10th 2006 4:30PM]

Current MS employee...

Your both wrong:

2004 MS payed ONE time dividend payout of 32 Billion.

MS has also almost completely regained the lost ground (cash)due to the one time dividend payout.

MS currently brings in approximately 1.4 billion profit (not revenue) per month.

MS is not evil simply because it has a lot of smart people and happens to be successfull... it's called capitalism and regardless of what anyone may "wish" it takes a "big company" to ship software to 98% of the worlds desktop users... your Mom and Pop OS shop can't quite pull that off.

;-)

[topper24hours @ Feb 10th 2006 4:30PM]

"HDD (two "D"'s last one for "disk" )"

Uhhhh.... doesn't HDD stand for Hard Disk Drive? So the last one is for drive you smug pretentious schmuck!

[rahul @ Feb 10th 2006 4:37PM]

do add hdd pls guys

[Jason @ Feb 10th 2006 4:51PM]

The device might cost Sony more than $500 to manufacture, but that doesn't mean they can't sell it for $400.

They do all of the statistical models and figure out that each fanboi will buy x number of games plus y number of peripherals plus z months of online subscription services plus extra buxers made with downloadable content, etc.

They can probably milk the average fanboi for well over $1000 over the time they own this thing so if they have to lose $300 a box initially it's still a wise move on Sony's part.

[distrbnce @ Feb 10th 2006 4:52PM]

Ken Kutaragi said (in probably a very poorly translated statement) that a HDD "won't be enough", not that there wouldn't be one.

I believe in the same interview he mentions the online "Cell Storage"

There has never been a statement saying the PS3 would not have a harddrive.

[AceMilo @ Feb 10th 2006 4:58PM]

First there won't be a hdd standard on the ps3, plain and simple, so you WILL need mem cards, etc. Second, sony HATES discounting their hardware. The ps2 cost 300 bucks long after the xbox came out, and even before people were ripping into sony asking for a price cut a year after launch. The psp is still $250 (anyone know what it costs to make?) and the games are $50. The ps3 will cost them a buttload to make (~$1000) so there is NO way they will sell it for less than $500. Get ready for load times ppl, no hdd is really gonna slow things up.

[Matt @ Feb 10th 2006 5:12PM]

The PS3 really looks like a bloated PS2. When you insert a disc it will probably let out a big belch and fart. They should have changed the look completely from the PS2 as they did from the PS1 to the PS2. Come on sony, where's the originality? Right now I'm liking the xbox 360 more and more (other than the giant power supply which PS3 will probably have to have as well) Right now I'm torn between buying a 360 or wait for PS3. I'm definatley buying the Nintendo Revolution but I don't see the need in buying ps3 and 360. It's all going to boil down the the games. If sony can keep the same great games going on ps3 like GTA, Jak 4, Ratchet and Clank 4 I'll buy one no matter what. The launch games don't really excite me any more than the 360 games right now. Just have to wait and see.

[distrbnce @ Feb 10th 2006 5:18PM]

AceMilo:

1. Why would they drop the price while the products are still selling like crazy?

2. PS3 has been estimated (by professional analysts, not you) to cost about $494. Source: http://www.gamesradar.com/?pagetypeid=2&articleid=36432&subsectionid=1585

3. As long as there is optical media, there will be load times, but Blu-ray is faster than DVD, and developers have gotten really good at reducing load times to the minimum.

I wouldn't be using a harddrive for that narrow purpose anyway.

In the end, you have no clue if there will be a HDD included or not. But we do know that Sony is in this to produce a must-have product, and to cement Blu-ray into the industry, even at a great short-term cost.

[PS BOY @ Feb 10th 2006 5:30PM]

PS4 ROX and xbox revolution sucks it costs $260 as aposed to $900

[Patricio @ Feb 10th 2006 5:36PM]

Finally my PSP will get used for something.

[e=mc2 @ Feb 10th 2006 5:51PM]

I don't know which is uglier, the controller or the console itself. The picture of the ps3 looks like a mix of a ps2 and a george foreman grill. I had high hopes for the ps3, but after looking at this pictures I don't know what is Sony thinking?

[Jon @ Feb 10th 2006 5:51PM]

All I have to say:
Emotion Engine
Built in AOL messenger functionality.
Anyone remember this? Also magazines/ news sources are notorious for not necessarily getting their facts right all the time. Why would SONY INCLUDE A HARD DRIVE WHEN THEY'RE TRYING TO SELL OF THEIR SHOODY MEMORY STICKS

[Jeff Minter @ Feb 10th 2006 5:54PM]

[quote]PS3 has been estimated (by professional analysts, not you) to cost about $494. Source: http://www.gamesradar.com/?[/quote]

Since when is www.gamesradar.com considered a professional analyst?

[Kamalot @ Feb 10th 2006 5:56PM]

Lots of distaste for Sony in the comments today.

[Carlos Mencia @ Feb 10th 2006 5:56PM]

Does it include a free rice cooker?

[Luigi Buffer @ Feb 10th 2006 6:01PM]

At least the Playstation 3 doesn't look like a purse or woman's handbag, like the Nintendo Revolution.

[PS BOY @ Feb 10th 2006 6:04PM]

well the xbox revolution looks like a sex toy

[Here comes the Judge @ Feb 10th 2006 6:06PM]

I am so glad that I have a MS Xbox 360 and didn't fall for the usual Sony hype, as I did on the PS2. Playing games online on "live" is just incredible with PGR3 and Perfect Dark Zero.

Don't miss out on all the fun do to believing the false messiah know as Sony.

Live in Sony's world or play now in Microsoft's.

[PS BOY @ Feb 10th 2006 6:10PM]

playstation 4 exists now its every where around, it is the 14 demension. only the chosen one can see it you must under stand that

[distrbnce @ Feb 10th 2006 6:12PM]

'Since when is www.gamesradar.com considered a professional analyst?'


Jeff Minter: Since never. If you would've taken the time to read the short article, you would know that the "professional analysts" I mentioned is Merrill Lynch Japan; indeed considered both professional and analysts.

You people are obnoxious.

[Art Guy @ Feb 10th 2006 6:13PM]

A purse or woman's handbag??? What???

If anything it looks like a Zip or Jazz drive.

[Raider @ Feb 10th 2006 6:15PM]

#12, they basically dropped the memory cards, maybe if you read up more on the system you would know. They have use for not only Sony Memory Sticks, but SD cards and Compact Flash. All of which are getting cheaper by the week.

While the PS3 is no looker, at least the silver one, the black ones does look very decent. They should change it around a little, but who cares, you will be looking at the games not the system. I remember when the PS2 came out, I thought it wasn't a very attractive system, I still don't think it is. I've grown to its looks however. But then again neither is the XBOX and the 360 looks cheesy in person. It looks cheap to me, at least my opinion, maybe a better face plate would help on that.

Like distrbnce said, Blu-Ray is faster than DVD. It remains to be seen how fast it actually is. But from what I read it should be that much more faster with more throughput.

As big games are going to be from now on. They are going to need a high capacity storage to store all the patches needed for these games. There will be no doubt, more bugs and glitches through out games. Of course a developer could simply take more time on it, but how often is that done these days?

They are really getting close to that fine line where people are not willing to spend $1,000 on launch day. True that games today are bigger than they have ever been. But these financial times don't allow for such a high priced console and I'm talking in the high hundreds. Then again now that I'm thinking about it. I'm sure it would sell, we live in a high debt country, I'm sure most of ya would simply just get another Visa and max it out on the PS3.

Then again, Sony will get a lot off of Licensing. Not just for the games that are licensed for the PS3, or the accessories, But for getting Blu-Ray out and possibly making it the market leader, maybe even winning out with HD DVD. They stand to make enough money off of the Blu-Ray license as well.

....The thing that surprises me, is the support the Revolution has been getting. There is a lot of positive feedback, even on its different controller.

[PS BOY @ Feb 10th 2006 6:18PM]

sony's world is now you F***ING Xbox Fanboy microcrap should stick to the only thing its good at, connecting ment to the cyber porn highway not disgracing its self making Halo's for little fairies

[ScottE @ Feb 10th 2006 6:29PM]

"At least the Playstation 3 doesn't look like a purse or woman's handbag, like the Nintendo Revolution."

I'd rather have a Purse than an oversized Floppy Drive.

[mr playstation @ Feb 10th 2006 6:39PM]

hey ive had a 10 year marriage comitment to my ps1 plus my ps2 i aint gonna cheat on playstation with xbox three hundred sixty crappy features because im married like the guy who married his tv(im not joking) you think thats funny say tough guy. i work hard paying for my marriage

[John @ Feb 10th 2006 8:18PM]

Even if there is no HDD there is no propietory memory stick/card. It takes SD and compactflash cards along with memory sticks

[trev @ Feb 10th 2006 8:31PM]

Its only a videogames console, relax.

As for whos going to beat who - lets just wait and see.

[Drew Zinn Metcalf @ Feb 10th 2006 8:51PM]

Wow talk about pointless comments...sony fanboys vs microsoft fanboys...guess what guys you aren't going to convince the other party that your right and they're wrong...you each have your own opinions what the hell is the point of the stupid bickering EVERYTIME a story comes up on the 360 or PS3 give it a rest, post a comment if you have something good to say so people who read these comments don't have 200 posts of 'the 360 is the best thing ever' 'no the ps3 will be so much better' etc.

[gabriel(caps) @ Feb 10th 2006 9:41PM]

FANBOYS, FANBOYS... It's JUST a console, not your fucking life.
::::PLUS NO MATTER WHAT OTHER DESIGN THEY WOULD OF USED, YOU KIDS WOULD HAVE STILL TALKED SHIT ABOUT IT.
::::THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS NOT THE CONSOLE, BUT THE GAMES. BECAUSE WHAT'S THE POINT OF HAVING THE MOST STYLISH CONSOLE WITH THE COOLEST CONTROLLERS,AND FEATURES WHEN THE GAMES SUCK ASS.

[James @ Feb 10th 2006 11:46PM]

its also a Location Free Player!!