Sounds like Sony is going to release a new model of the failing PS3. I have read around the traps (that refer to JB hifi, a major retailer) that Sony will sell a cut down version of it’s PS3, with a smaller hard-drive, fewer ports but still with the BluRay drive – for around $300 cheaper than the current model – AUD$699!
This makes it within reasonable buying distance from Xbox and Wii and I am sure will take off in sales. AUD$1000 for the PS3 was just too crazy for our market and sales, or lack of, proved that. No mention of it but I wonder if the console will look different? And in reality, with our exchange rate to US dollar, the current 60GB PS3 should only be around the AUD$560 mark anyway, making this cut down version seem expensive. Sony is price gouging again?
Another thought – Would this be the same as the cheaper model the USA had but , of course, with a 40GB drive? Is Sony trying to dump unwanted older models on us?
As I mentioned, the new 40GB PS3 will have fewer features than the current 60GB with two USB 2.0 ports instead of four, no backward compatibility for PS2 games and no multimemory card port. Is lack of backward compatibility a problem? I don’t think so as I never player PS1 games on a PS2 so I would doubt I would play older games on this newer PS3. What do you think?
(I have just read that the Michael Ephraim, Managing Director SCE Aust. and New Zealand has confirmed this as well – looks like 11th October is the date!)
– Update, I have to say I still think it is over priced. With our exchange rate the PS3 should be around $200 cheaper!!
goldcoaster 
I have read that Michael Ephraim, Managing Director SCE Aust. and New Zealand has confirmed this as well – looks like 11th October is the date!
Now this would have been nice if Sony weren’t that kind of money hungry dogs, good for the US alright this is. But let’s have a look at Europe:
“Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) heeft vandaag meer informatie vrijgegeven over het nieuwe PLAYSTATION 3-model van 40 GB, dat vanaf 10 oktober 2007 voor € 399,99 in Europa in de winkels ligt.”
Dutch, but the pricing of 399.99 Euro’s is clearly to be read, 400 Euro is 581 dollars. Thanks sony for ripping the Europeans off for like 200 dollars extra, wondering why the playstation 3 selling rates are crappy compared to xbox and wii here?
“Bovendien wordt het bestaande starter pack, dat uit een PS3 van 60 GB met uitgebreide compatibiliteit, een extra draadloze SIXAXIS-controller en twee games bestaat, in prijs verlaagd en dit pack kost nu € 499,99.”
Along they decreased the price on the starter pack, so let’s compare on as to which would you buy?
40 GB vs 60 GB, non-backward compatible for backward compatible, no games along? versus 2 games along, no extra controller? versus extra wireless controller.
The 2 games alone would already cost about the 100 Euro difference, so the choice on which of those two would be preferred to buy might be quite obvious here. But still playstation 3 is nothing more but an overpriced piece of junk.
400 Euro for a downgraded edition most likely just won’t cut it against the 250 Euro Wii and 320 Euro Xbox 360.
you are correct, slevi.
The new model released here today – saying “super price” it is aud$700 which is about US$630 – like I said, what a rip off. But most people will think Sony is great becuase the old model was $1000 and the new one is ‘only’ $699, not realising it is still way too expensive.
I’m more than happy with my Xbox 360, so I think that I’ll stick with that.
thanks for the comment, SP.
The 360 seems pretty good value now – $590 with four games but we still like the Wii better.
I work at an electrical retailer part time, we are now GIVING away basic PS3 packages with a purchaase of a Sony 32″ LCD TV. Yes it has gotten that bad….
Mind you, its coming to Christmas, I wonder how many units will simply be sold because the parent doesnt want to go home empty handed because the store was out of Wiis or an Xboxs? 😀
its stupid lets look at uk and meditrainian how can the uk pay $300 or $400 it should be £5 or £3 we uk and ireland should get game consles cheap lets run up to david cameron and stop this videogame crisis