Sony killing 80GB PS3, introducing 120GB or 160GB model with Dual Shock 3?

According to Ars Technica, Sony has some big plans for a PlayStation 3 refresh, starting with a phase-out of the 80GB model. According to an "inside source" -- which Ars claims has been consistently right on video game-related predictions -- the console-maker's new plot is starting to take shape, holding fast to a two-SKU approach on packages, upping the hard drive capacity on systems, and including the Dual Shock 3 controller. The new bundles will take the high / low road, with the source stating that the 40GB model will remain on shelves, while the 80GB, Spider-Man 3-inclusive system will disappear, only to be replaced with a 120GB or 160GB configuration. Of course, right now these are just words on a screen, though in light of Best Buy's recent stock changes, there certainly is an air of movement over at Sony.

[Thanks, Khattab]

[Liam @ Jan 28th 2008 9:00AM]

This seems sensible enough. It's probably right, and we all know console manufacturers aren't exactly fantastic at keeping these things under wraps. No smoke without fire on these sorts of things, it seems.

The PS3 isn't beyond help. Blu-ray is starting to look less like a silly excess, though I doubt I'll ever be sold on the Cell. Needs more games, and fast, though.

[Chebwa @ Jan 28th 2008 9:28AM]

"I doubt I'll ever be sold on the Cell."

...sold on the processor in the PS3? I don't think they need to sell you on the processor. They need to sell you on the games. I don't remember being "sold" on the SNES or PS2 processors.

[Dale @ Jan 28th 2008 9:55AM]

Well, I'm not sold on the Cell either. It doesn't seem to be offering anything in terms of performance that the Xenon in the Xbox 360 doesn't.

[Liam @ Jan 28th 2008 10:28AM]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I'm looking at it from a design perspective, rather than if I was actually buying the thing. Yeah, as far as I'm concerned, the games sell a console, but that doesn't mean it's not interesting to talk about hardware, and if certain inclusions were a mistake or not.

[Onetruebill @ Jan 28th 2008 1:01PM]

Sure Liam, why would you be looking at it as if you were buying the thing? The most important aspect is how you and your processor get along on your first date. Games would just come between you and stress the relationship.

PLUS - its not made by Apple or Microsoft so how can we discuss it anyway????

[sinai @ Jan 28th 2008 1:31PM]

@chebwa

that's a lie, blast processing was the reason sonic was a jillion times faster than mario !!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlulSyBI2aY

[Demaar @ Jan 28th 2008 2:25PM]

I'm sold on Cell. What I'm not sold on is RSX, but jackly squat you can do about the GPU - it ain't changing this generation.

Fingers crossed and knocking wood that this version includes backward compatibility, even if it's software. Though ideally I'd like to see it essentially being the 60GB model with die shrunk processors, cheaper Blu-Ray diode and higher capacity drive *nods*

[insertAlias @ Jan 28th 2008 9:00AM]

Considering how easy it is to replace the HDD in the PS3, if space is the only reason you want the top model, buy the 40 gig and put in a new HDD yourself.

If you need the extra ports and card readers though, if they don't change the price, this is a sweet deal.

[ebob9 @ Jan 28th 2008 9:33AM]

Actually, you're better off finding a used 60gb on ebay/craigslist or even GameStop, and then replacing the HD. That way you get full working backwards compatability.

[Temple @ Jan 28th 2008 9:44AM]

I seriously doubt they would raise the price. The reason for the new SKU is likely because it wasn't cost effective to continue produce the 90nm Cell/RSX when they are producing the new 65nm along with the new motherboard. Also, being that HDD costs drop over time, it was likely a prudent to just buy the HDD size the market is at relative to the cost.

Sony also has an incentive to have the consumer have larger HDDs due to the fact that they plan on selling digital distribution-based movies and music along with the games they already sell on the Playstation Network.

[Boudu @ Jan 28th 2008 9:51AM]

The swap-your-own-harddrive thing is pretty cool. Shows how consumer-friendly the PS3 is, in fact, I'm using my Xbox 360 Vision camera (which is the only camera that the 360 accepts) as my main camera on my PS3 (PS3 accepts any old USB webcam).

What a world, when I buy a Xbox camera to play on my PS3! Makes a lot of sense since I could use it on both of my consoles.

[Jadnice @ Jan 28th 2008 1:05PM]

I agree with you in regards to the hard drive upgrade.I own the 40gb PS3 and its my first time ever owning a Playstation (i got a Wii also... well till my girl took it) so backward compatibility has no meaning to me. as for card reader... don't need it. I manage all my pictures on my Mac laptop and if need i can either stream the pics to my PS3 using various media streaming software or simple put it on my flash drive and plug it into the usb port. So me missing the memory card (SD etc)will not happen.

I plan in the future to upgrade (and backup) the hard drive in the near future so using the selling point of a larger hard drive is a joke to me. I can see 360 using that since you can't upgrade the hard drive.

[Kenundrum @ Jan 28th 2008 9:03AM]

The big question everyone wants answered though is.... will there be any backwards compatibility in the newer upgraded models?

[Andy M @ Jan 28th 2008 9:14AM]

Word is they are using this refresh to officially cut ties with PS2 backward compatibility.

The big, BIG question is how MS will respond. My sense is they (M$) were already poised to announce their next refresh (not full next gen) in Feb and Sony beat them to the punch in this non-stop game of one-upmanship...

[Ev @ Jan 28th 2008 9:20AM]

I hope there is backwards compatibility on these new models, I have heard that the 40gb PS3 does not play back PS2 games, which makes the PS3 less appealing to me.

[Erwos @ Jan 28th 2008 9:22AM]

Totally agree. Right now, I'm still not seeing why I shouldn't buy a 60gb PS3 and just upgrade the HDD if I need to.

[Temple @ Jan 28th 2008 9:36AM]

It would be nice if Sony added entirely software emulation on the new PS3s (without the PS2 hardware). I'm sure its something they are working on (being that all versions of PS3s have full PS1 backwards compatibility via software emulation). Perhaps in the future they could add them to the 40GB unit as well.

[Shadowcast @ Jan 28th 2008 10:45AM]

Wait... the big question isn't will it blend?

[Flit @ Jan 28th 2008 10:57AM]

Note to Sony: Full hardware backwards compatability with 120 gig hard drive for $399, you've got yourself a deal. I'd buy one and wait for games. Otherwise, why would I care about a bigger hard drive.

[mike @ Jan 28th 2008 11:16AM]

Does it play Doom?

[Carbonize @ Jan 28th 2008 11:29AM]

Mike that's only slightly funny on products that can't officially play Doom. And even then it was only funny for about two weeks last year.


Just to be pedantic. Doom was out on PS1 (it rocked). PS3 has PS1 emulation so can play PS1 games. That answer your inane, stupid, and parroted to death question?

[Garst @ Jan 28th 2008 2:48PM]

Are you mad?! You can but Linux on the damn thing then get Doom to play. Not that I advocate that or anything.

[elithemicrowave @ Jan 28th 2008 7:06PM]

Can we just ban mike...please.

What ever happened to good ol' E? I hope to God he's gone.

[Dahk @ Jan 28th 2008 9:12AM]

Are you saying bye to your friend Ryan or something? o.0?

[Luigi193 @ Jan 28th 2008 9:15AM]

Actually, the 40 GB is the spiderman one. The 80 has motorstorm...

I would know because I Just picked up a 40!!!

[daaper @ Jan 28th 2008 1:58PM]

Same here, I couldn't care less about backwards-compatibility. I bought a new system because I want to play my new high-def games. Backwards-compatibility, to me, promotes stagnation of the game market because they don't necessarily have to come out with a bunch of new games right away when you can play all your old games on the new system. If I want to play my old games, I'll play them on my old, crappy tv in the basement...

[DustoMan @ Jan 28th 2008 9:20AM]

Better not be the only way to get a DualShock3 here in the states. This is Sony we are talking about so I wouldn't put it past them. I'll just import another one from PlayAsia.com thank you very much.

[Doc @ Jan 28th 2008 9:21AM]

Does the ps3 support USB HDD's? Thanks for any info..considering getting a ps3 now that white is coming out, black shows too much dust and finger prints IMO.

[Khattab @ Jan 28th 2008 9:23AM]

Yep, she does. Must be a FAT32 formated one.


Au revoir...

[Chebwa @ Jan 28th 2008 9:26AM]

Stop saying au revoir.

[Rowdehaj @ Jan 28th 2008 10:28AM]

I agree, cut it out. What if everybody thought their nationalities were fancy and interesting?

Goedemiddag...

[Khattab @ Jan 28th 2008 11:40AM]

1.) French is not my nationality.

2.) I'm allowed to post what ever I want.

3.) BBT.


AU REVOIR... :)

[pquistgard @ Jan 28th 2008 9:21AM]

But will it have SACD? And..and..will it blend?

[retro77 @ Jan 28th 2008 9:26AM]

Will it be the same price? Still won't outsell the Wii IMO.

[Chebwa @ Jan 28th 2008 9:27AM]

"I doubt I'll ever be sold on the Cell."

...sold on the processor in the PS3? I don't think they need to sell you on the processor. They need to sell you on the games. I don't remember being "sold" on the SNES or PS2 processors.

[sinai @ Jan 28th 2008 1:33PM]

i like how this one's Low Ranked, while the same comment above is highest ranked.

go inconsistency!

[Chebwa @ Jan 28th 2008 2:31PM]

As SOON as you double post (be it accidental - as it is 99% of the time - or not) people low rank you.

It's completely stupid.

[sinai @ Jan 28th 2008 2:37PM]

i like how this one's Low Ranked, while the same comment above is highest ranked.

go inconsistency!

[John @ Jan 28th 2008 10:01PM]

Genius.

[TrentD @ Jan 28th 2008 9:29AM]

Are you saying that "something is in the air?"

[J-Alex @ Jan 28th 2008 9:39AM]

If Sony bring back the extra USB connections, card reader and SACD playback plus bring back the ability to play SACD's in DTS 5.1, along with the larger HDD they will be getting my money.

[David S @ Jan 28th 2008 9:43AM]

All I want is DTS for Blu-Ray.

[DrXym @ Jan 28th 2008 9:40AM]

You only have to look at Sony's marketing model to see that this is an obvious step. A 120Gb model would compete with the Elite (not that its much competition), bundle a few bits and pieces and allow them to slap $100 on the price.

[drew @ Jan 28th 2008 5:11PM]

Not sure how that comment is supposed to be taken?

The elite is not competing with the PS3 or the PS3 is not competing with the elite? From a market perspective I believe the 360 is quite clearly competing with the PS3.

Or is it from a feature perspective? What features do either one include that don't make this a competition?

I own a 360 but buying a PS3 for BD and the odd game, I heard that they are coming out with games for them REAL SOON...

[John @ Jan 29th 2008 9:15PM]

The hard drive space is so irrelevant, for several reasons. First of all, you can stream video to the PS3 incredibly easily; I even use WMP11. Same for photos and music. So there's not that much to fill it up with. Second, the PS3's drive is positioned so that you can replace it very easily. Finally, no one looks at hard drive space as the defining characteristic of a console. I'd bet good money the only reason that the 40 gig PS3 had a smaller harddrive was so that there was an obvious spec for people to say why the other was more expensive.

[Crap @ Jan 28th 2008 9:48AM]

I'll wait until they put in a 192 HD or maybe a 205 HD - no on second thought maybe it will be a 218 HD or a 222 HD model or @@@@@

[x20mar @ Jan 28th 2008 9:50AM]

like we didn't see coming...

[Zeal @ Jan 28th 2008 10:36AM]

If it doesn't fully support PS2/1 games they can keep it. I'm already iffy on even wanting a PS3 and I sure don't have room to leave my PS2 hooked up to play all the games I still haven't finished for that system.

[Corey @ Jan 28th 2008 10:46AM]

I'm with you. Anything less than hardware BC and I'm not interested. It could include 4 DS controllers, 500GB HD, Blu-ray/HD-DVD combo drive, sparklers and streamers, and I still wouldn't buy.
But give it hardware BC, 120GB+, and I'll buy one the day it's released.

[Mobius_1 @ Jan 28th 2008 9:58AM]

I would buy the cheapest one just to play Gran Turismo 5!