New PS3 SKU practically confirmed by GameStop
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted February 1st 2008 11:34AM
posted February 1st 2008 11:34AM
According to a report, the next iteration of PS3 packages has been all but confirmed during a GameStop conference call recently. Apparently, the 80GB version of the console is dead, and is due to be replaced by a 120GB model bundled with the Dual Shock 3 controller -- just like we mentioned a few days go. There's no set price or release date, though speculation is that it will turn up by GDC. Instead of a denial, Sony has gone for a "no comment" in regards to this news, though it certainly looks like this is the direction they're heading in, regardless of what they say.[Thanks, Khattab]
Well first off the 60GB can play ps2 games and ps3 games. Not only some it can play all of them so i'd rather get a 60GB nd upgrade the hard drive myself instead of paying more for a less capable machine.
The 120GB PS3 would really be something tho i wouldn't mind dropping $400 for a 120GB PS3.
"No comment" is a comment.
I'd wager that this unit restores full BC by including the new EE+GS chip (Emotion Engine + Graphics Synthesizer or "CPU+GPU") combo chip that Sony has been manufacturing since BEFORE the PS3's release.
Sony had to get rid of old PS2 parts that there was no longer any use for. The backward-compatibility in the original 20GB / 60GB SKUs was enabled by two discreet chips for general processing (EE) and graphics (GS), even though Sony was already manufacturing PS2's with a cheaper combo chip (EE+GS). The 80GB model eliminated the CPU (EE), but kept the graphics chip (GS) because it could not be emulated in software with acceptable performance. Compatibility suffered, but the configuration was still compatible with *most* PS2 games. The 40GB model contains neither chip and so PS2 compatibility has been nixed completely. PS1 support is emulated 100% in software, so it remains.
It seems fairly obvious to me that the only reason Sony ever included anything other than the EE+GS in the PS3 was to make use of old stock. The 120GB SKU will almost surely have the new combo chip because it's incredibly cheap for Sony to manufacture.
Simple!!! Why don't sony or any other company that make HDD put a BC chip into the HDD, everyones happy, or better! Why don't sony make another SKU that hasn't got too space much or to little; we shall call it the 50 gb! Which should include these:
1x HDMI
4x USB Ports
1 or 2x LAN Ports
THE BACKWARD Compatibility for PS2 games (Please. Emotion Engine or Emulation which ever works best)
Be about £50-$100 more than a 40 gb.
Have WI-FI!
And outsell its predescessor and please keep the system simple.
If this system is released which I doubt it will and it sells a dozen, then sony don't kill the system and release another one which will be missing a feature or two.
There's gonna be a slim-line PS3. I know there is gonna be one cos they have done this with every SCE product except the PSX. If you do not believe me they did that to the PLAYSTATION, PLAYSTATION 2, PLAYSTATION PORTABLE. If they gonna do that on the PS3 Thats gonna be very hard. Well some company did make the world's smallest laptop. But the world's smallest Playstation is gonna be a challenge.
Luckily two out of three isn't half bad. Knowing that a PS3 is still being outsold by two of it's predecessors. Sony open your eyes!!! Ask the public what they want on a PS3! If you didn't try that earlier you guys are idiots, but I am a bigger idiot for buying a 40 gb ps3 which isn't too bad. My cousin who was gonna get a WII got himself a 60 gb ps3! Ironic how I waited for 9 months for the 60gb ps3 getting told by someone who works at GAME that the 60gb was discontinued. I wasn't gonna get a 40gb PS3 but I had no choice. Unless you guys decide to put a BC chip into a 40 gb ps3. I can 'accidentally' break my old one and get another free due to my 3 years breakdown cover!
Sup all, Just gotta say that Sony is starting to get its head out of its (you know where), and that I feel it was a mistake to remove Back compatibility all together (sony should of at least keep that Software Emulation). Having said that I'm very excited this year cause I feel it the PS3 time to shine. Last year belonged to the 360 (sorry Nintendo owners but you system is not hardcore anymore) with title like Halo 3, Bioshock, blah, blah, blah. Only COD4, AC, and OrangeBox where on equal ground. This year PS3 will catch up and pass the 360, and then in '09 pass the Wii (because must average consumers will be upgrading their TVs in droves).
As for this SKU stuff.. I can only say that maybe their prepping their Downloadable movie Store and will start selling Movies that will Require more Hard Drive Space. Of course for the Average person they aren't about to switch hard drives themselves, so this might be for them.
@Robert
Most people didn't know there's a BluRay and WiFi on the PS3 when they bought it ?
Are you stoned or something? Just like someone said, the word "BluRay" is in:
1. The Box
2. The Website
3. The Brochures
4. The PS3
5. The Posters
6. In the Ads.
Are you dumb or something? Well I guess some people didn't know that, maybe because they are plain retards.
And yeah, we don't care if you won't make the PS3 your fourth console. It's too good for you anyway.
Totally useless these hard drive improvements. I don't own a PS3 yet but why do we need all this storage space? They should definitely quit defining each of the 2 models by the hard drive size. Agree with Kyoko in that we still need 2 models - one for average joe and one for backwards compatibility hardcore gamers that can swap out the hard drive if they want.
My theory (and hope) is that they will keep dropping the price even if they still take a loss on each model. That loss is and will continue to be written off by marketing department as the 'Blu-ray Industry Standard Achievement Program'.
Anybody have gripes about the PS3 blu-ray player? This will be a primary motivating factor for my future purchase of the PS3 - as soon as GTA IV comes out on April 30.
I received a slight confirmation that the PS3 (120 or 160gig did not specify) will be out before the April 29 release of GTA. I spoke with a sony customer service person. Because I had a faulty PS3 and had to wait for new because best buy was no longer carrying 80gig. I asked if I will have a new one by April 29th he told me he could not give out that information even if he did know. I said that was fine I just want to havea ps3 when I receive my pre-ordered GTA. He said he couldnt confirm anything but there was a very good probability. That made my day so now I am just waiting with this 540 dollar gift card for Bestbuy until the new ps3 is released.
I don't know if this is well known, because it was done very covertly - but you can now download a PS2 emulator for free from the Playstation store. So.. goodbye PS2 game compatibility woes.
WILL THEY BE THE SAME AS THE 80GB VERSION???????
A thought for Sony
Backwards Compatibility-
I'm sure it occurred to everyone why they are not including the backwards compatibility feature in the new models isn't because they are trying to cut costs in manufacturing but the real economic issue here was Sony supposedly built the PS3's at a loss and they were to recover the lost initial investments thought the sales of new PS3 games and with many PS-2 players/games out there the only way to ensure future sales of new games outside of New titles was to cut off all possibility of game sale stagnation. This is the real economic reason! Another reason why they say the winners make the rules losers live by them but Sony needs to get a handle on the real picture when you think you can afford to alienate one customer because of costs eventually the discord spreads like wildfire and then the manufacturer really loses because products are driven by sales and for what I'm seen having the backwards compatibility would have increased theirs sales not hurt it in the long run! But I've noticed the bean counters are making all the decisions for companies these days and recent history has proved most have not been right! I've worked in successfully in finance and marketing for 7 yrs now and I've yet to any good from making decisions based purely on economic savings period!
Sony needs to get back to their roots and practice Feng Shui balance in the Innovation, Quality and Affordability areas of their product then they and we the customer would both be winners!