If you're thinking about getting the PlayStation 3 at the new $500 price, you might want to do it soon. Rumors suggest that when Sony introduces the 80GB version in August, it will phase out the 60GB model entirely. If so, we'd be back at $600 - with a bonus game (MotorStorm) but without PS2 hardware compatibility. So this price drop may actually be a liquidation scheme, with Sony poised to reduce its per unit cost (the Emotion Engine chip no doubt costs more than an extra 20GB storage and a game) while suggesting greater value that's only there if you really love off-road racing and don't care too much about backward compatibility...
UPDATE: This rumor has been confirmed. The $500 PS3 will only be available while supplies of the 60GB model last, though Sony claims it has "ample inventory to meet the immediate needs of consumers in this territory for several months to come." The fact is: Sony can't afford to take a deep loss on its console for too long - and what's to stop them from taking some leftover 60GB units, swapping out the hard drives and slipping in a copy of MotorStorm?
UPDATE: This rumor has been confirmed. The $500 PS3 will only be available while supplies of the 60GB model last, though Sony claims it has "ample inventory to meet the immediate needs of consumers in this territory for several months to come." The fact is: Sony can't afford to take a deep loss on its console for too long - and what's to stop them from taking some leftover 60GB units, swapping out the hard drives and slipping in a copy of MotorStorm?
Leave a comment