Sony killing 80GB PS3, introducing 120GB or 160GB model with Dual Shock 3?
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted Jan 28th 2008 8:50AM
posted Jan 28th 2008 8:50AM
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]
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.
"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.
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.
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.
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????
@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
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*
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The big question everyone wants answered though is.... will there be any backwards compatibility in the newer upgraded models?
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...
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.
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.
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.
Wait... the big question isn't will it blend?
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.
Does it play Doom?
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?
Are you mad?! You can but Linux on the damn thing then get Doom to play. Not that I advocate that or anything.
Can we just ban mike...please.
What ever happened to good ol' E? I hope to God he's gone.
Are you saying bye to your friend Ryan or something? o.0?
Actually, the 40 GB is the spiderman one. The 80 has motorstorm...
I would know because I Just picked up a 40!!!
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...
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.
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.
Yep, she does. Must be a FAT32 formated one.
Au revoir...
Stop saying au revoir.
I agree, cut it out. What if everybody thought their nationalities were fancy and interesting?
Goedemiddag...
1.) French is not my nationality.
2.) I'm allowed to post what ever I want.
3.) BBT.
AU REVOIR... :)
But will it have SACD? And..and..will it blend?
Will it be the same price? Still won't outsell the Wii IMO.
"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.
i like how this one's Low Ranked, while the same comment above is highest ranked.
go inconsistency!
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.
i like how this one's Low Ranked, while the same comment above is highest ranked.
go inconsistency!
Genius.
Are you saying that "something is in the air?"
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.
All I want is DTS for Blu-Ray.
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.
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...
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.
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 @@@@@
like we didn't see coming...
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.
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.
I would buy the cheapest one just to play Gran Turismo 5!
Well of course they're going to do this, it only makes sense, since I bought an 80GB yesterday afternoon. *@%@*#&@%!
releasing the Dual Shock 3, hmmm... that might make some sense, even though it's a last gen feature :)
why would I want to lay down another $60 per controller that could be used for games
MGS4 will be my penultimate decision on purchasing a PS3 (if it 9/10 or above)
You might as well buy one then, not because Metal Gear will get a 9/10, but because Sony has been paying off sites with advertisement dollars to hype them on games. MG will be the greatest game of all time when it's released, then a month later, no ps3 fan will be playing it.
I don't think you will see it come with BC out of the box. I think eventually down the line you will see BC as an add on feature that can be purchased in the PlayStation store. Doing this makes it optional feature that will allow those interested to obtain it and those that don't care about it won't have to pay for it.
That's stupid. It costs them the same to put the necessary firmware on 1 machine as it does to put it on 1,000,000. I don't want to pay for something that should've always been there.
add newer HD audio codecs, hdmi 1.3 etc sony, make it a proper media centre, not a half baked bluray player that can play games.
The PS3 has had HDMI 1.3a since the day it was introduced. It's one of the most complete Blu-ray players out there containing all the latest HT decoders that Blu-ray currently supports. To top it off the unit is upgradeable via firmware releases so it already trumps the standalone Blu-ray players. I know that it doesn't come with DTS True HD or whatever it's called, but neither do any other Blu-ray player. Once a manufacturer comes out with it on their player expect to see it on the PS3.
All this and you can play games on it. Great deal if you ask me. For less than the cost of a high end graphics card you get a top end Blu-ray/DVD upconverter player and the latest gaming system.
oh! I just ordered the 80 gig before the weekend!! bad luck i guess
I don't know that much about the PS3 as far as downloadable content as I'm mostly a 360 gamer but what do you guys use all that HDD space for? Is there some sort of PSN Marketplace?
Yes, there is downloadable content. Lots of games are available for download. Games like Warhawk and Everyday Shooter, not to mention a pile of old PS games.
And my 60GB hd is pretty full from playing Oblivion.
This is what should of been done to make a gaming machine... and not a movie player want to be computer ( specs lower than any low end machine... try a benchmark in linux... you will see )
More video and system memory!!!! ( 256? and 256?, my old 333mhz had more system memory. And 256 for the video memory? Where does the video memory get its information... from the system memory? This is terrible... what are we going to do with 30GB of memory on a disk with such horribly low amounts of ram?
If there was 512 System and 256 Video, It could be a powerful machine... But now its an extremely low end want to be computer.
Who cares about obsolete PS2games? Give me bitstream for all new audio codecs and I'm in!
I do... I just upgraded from a PS1 and now I got a PS2, shiny new on December 2007.
And... Spyro series has not yet moved on the PS3, that's why I got a PS2 right now.
PS2 is NOT obsolete until developers officially quit on producing games for it, like what happened to the PS1 as well to the SNES, NES, etc.
i work at best buy store number 531 yes the white one is going to be released.........soon yes we did pull the sku but only temporarily are warehouse is out of the 80 gigs thats why you arent going to find any in stores or online and to say that the wii has outsold the PS3 or the xbox 360 is crazy yes the wii sells because it is cheap but it is never in stock anywhere due to Nintendo's bad marketing plan if you really look at the figures the wii actually sells just as many units as the ps3. and it is a dumb idea to buy a 40 gig model and replace the hard drive due the fact it doesn't have the Emotion chip which allows it to play ps2 games id buy the 60 and do it that way. and to people thinking the xbox 360 has a xeon processor inside it doesn't it is actually a chip designed by Motorola similar to the one found inside older mac the old powerpc chip. and the xbox 360 elite doesn't have a better chip inside it, it has the same chip it also lacks an upconvert drive. all my information has come from either a representitive of sony or a represtitive of microsoft any questions feel free to comment on this post have a good day!
its a XENON chip, not a xeon. and yes its a powerpc based chip with 3 cores. the cell is also powerpc i think
Geeez... I know this is supposed to be a free flowing thread with an emphasis on content rather than grammar, but GOOD gosh man- your post was almost unreadable. Ever hear the term run-on? Sorry, don't mean to knock you- really.
So tell me 'well connected one' with Sony / MS contacts, what will be the size of the new PS console and will there be any add'l functionality beyond larger HDD and dual shock? More importantly, what is the MS rep telling you in terms of their response? Any new version of the Xbox about to be released- when and with what specs?
Pls try and keep a thought or two per sentence so I can understand what you're saying- me being a numbskull and all...
Well for andy i just woke up so i could care less about grammar. the white ps3 is the same size as its predecessor except with a better cooling system. and obviously dual-shock 3. there also will be a new update and newer features coming to the ps3 such as playstation home dropping next month which will be a free service except for movie streaming from netflix and what not. For the 360 there isnt going to be any new stuff anytime soon theres been talk on a supposed (red) xbox 360 but don't get your hopes up. The Microsoft rep also has said that the newer chips are supposed to be coming soon but only when Microsoft finds a way to make the chip cheaper and more "cost effective". As for blu-ray for xbox 360 it isnt happening anytime in the near future due to Microsofts stupidity. I have also heard of some xbox-zune wireless sync feature but i dont have much information on that. for all who read sorry about the all lower-case or grammar f-up's but im tired so deal with it and read it.
again if you guys have any comments or questions feel free to do so and ask away
You seem to have lost your commas, you can have some of mine:
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Let me know if you need more :p
Dave, he was correct. Xenon is your automotive headlamp. Xeon is Intel's high end workstation processor.
And there you have it. News from a TRUE insider; The dude who sells media at Best Buy.
When you want the *real* inside scoop, ask the person at the very bottom of the supply chain!
I already have a red Xbox. Well, the light around the power button is red. They're going to sell them that way now?
yeah hahaha wow microsoft makes so many friggin mistakes lol
I'm glad I'm not one of those chumps that bought a 40 or 80gb PS3 cos I'd sure be annoyed!
I will get a PS3 when it includes a blu-ray drive that can play the new hi-def audio codecs.
wow thats all i can say is wow
Oh? You seemed to say alot in your earlier comment rambling on about crap that you obviously don't know what your talking about.
I don't see myself replacing the 60gb PS3 I own.
I wish I had more games for the damn thing though. Nice Blu-Ray player though.
Probably games for several hundred hours on my Xbox 360 this year and maybe 40 on my PS3 (Resistance and Uncharted)
Dear Sony,
Put back the Emotion Engine in the PS3, just use the 40Gb HDD and show some damn commitment to having one fair and honest retail point with wireless, SD card reader (and that pesky little duo stick if you must) and DualShock3 and you've got yourself a deal. Its the only major console from the last 23 years I dont own and the reason really isn't a lack of storage!
Otherwise you can keep bumping up the gigabytes and adding your markup to a 2.5" HDD I can buy myself, slicing off the pennies yet charging the consumer more for less USB ports, card readers and wired versions etc. and I'l continue to ignore it. The problem doesn't lie in how many movies, MP3s and demos people can fit on their drives...
Also, you don't seem to get that your "bread and butter" customers are confused. The PS2 was accessable and required no thought processes at all for the single mothers to buy their flea ridden offspring with their benefit money (or at least that was the case in the UK). Now you're bamboozling them with gigabytes and teraflop and making false promises that all their PS2 titles will still work. I deal with these scroats everyday, so trust me when I say it's too much for them to handle!
Bring together all the best bits you've tried thus far and make The Real Playstation 3TM that can be upgraded at the end users ease should they deem it necessary. I'll even let you have the tag line "why be confused with models - The Real Playstation 3TM" if you send me one for free (signed by Ken too though, kthnx!)
Love and Hugs,
Delmorpha
p.s Pricepoint does matter... :P
/rant
You make perfect points.
PS2 BC is Vital to me. My 60 gb will last me throughout the ps3s lifespan. They should of never cancelled the 60..
sony style's offering a $100 credit if you make a purchase of $300 or more with their sony style credit card. which means........
Don't hold your breath on the backward compatibility. From what I have been reading online this move is based in part on eliminating that feature since the PS3 attachment rate (games per console) is so low. In other words, they want future buyers of PS3s to have to buy PS3 games. There are no doubt a lot of folks that a have PS3 mostly watching blu ray movies and they have just a few games.
How does one buy more games for a console which has so few games?
man, i hope that they give a price rebate to the people who went and bought a ps3 (like w/ the iphone) b/c i just went this christmas and bought an 80 gig ps3, and i do not want my money to go down the drain... :(
Wheres your link to Ars Technica... Come on guys
i would be sold if it had backwards capatability. i dont care about the capacity of the hard drive. I had my 360 about a month after launch and i still havent used all my 20GB left.
i guess 120 or 160 would awesome for people who uses them more for movies
So no one can say for sure if the new ps3's will have backwards compatibility
Backwards compatibility will completely disappear on PS3, and XBOX360 will likely quit updating the backwards-compatible list. The problem is: people are willing to buy complete games for download through whichever service -- Sony Marketplace, XBOX Live, and Wii. These companies don't make money when you play an old disc in a new system -- but if you have to pay to download that game, it's simply another sale. It's great business for them - but stinks for anyone who's looking to consolidate their consoles so they don't have 3 versions of PS or XBOX on their shelves.