40GB PS3 announced

http://computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=173223

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The much-talked about 40GB PS3 will be hitting UK stores on October 10 for £299, Sony has finally confirmed.

The existing 60GB model will also see its asking price slashed down to £349, which will come with two first-party games. This new 'Value Pack' replaces the current £425 'Starter Pack'.

This comes after a seemingly endless run of rumours - and Sony's defiant refusal to comment - that have run rife on the World Wide Web over the past two weeks.

With cutting back production costs a clear priority, the new 40GB console will, as CVG previously reported, come without the front memory card readers, lose two of the four USB ports and, contrary to popular belief, completely lack backwards compatibility support PS2 discs (PS1 support oddly goes unmentioned - we're chasing that).

All other hardware features, including built-in Wi-Fi support, Blu-Ray disc playback will remain.

Sony itself couldn't disclose exactly why the BC was dropped, but CVG has been told that it relates to saving on the licensing costs for the necessary emulation software.

The new budget PS3 puts the price of Sony gaming in line with the Xbox 360 Elite, which also costs £299, and within £120 of the 360 Core unit and Wii.

"As we approach our very first PlayStation Christmas, it is satisfying to be able to offer UK consumers the choice of two PlayStation 3 packages both now representing remarkable value," said Ray Maguire, managing director of SCEUK.

David Reeves, President of SCEE said: "The introduction of the new PS3 has been the result of extensive research into the entertainment needs and preferences of the next generation of PS3 owners.

"It has allowed us to deliver an extremely advanced, yet highly affordable High Definition entertainment system, configured to the needs of the next generation of European PS3 owners," he added.</div></div>

So how do you guys feel about this new model? No memory slots, missing 2 USB ports and no PS2 BC (apparently, PS1 BC is still in)...but that new price point is definitely an improvement. Will this make you take the plunge?

BTW, the 60GB PS3 in Europe and the 80GB PS3 don't do full software BC. They still have a chip inside to help out. This new 40GB model seems to do away with said chip, but it's still entirely possible for them to update it with full software BC in the future...just so you know (and thus don't ask). =P

EDIT: http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=17683

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">GameDaily BIZ also contacted SCEE spokesman Nick Sharples who told us, "We have made clear on many occasions that our priority is on developing innovative new features and services for PS3 and not on backwards compatibility. The 40GB model no longer contains any elements of the PS2 chip set which powered backwards compatibility in previous models, and is therefore only compatible with PS one titles."</div></div>

 

I think this is Sony desperately trying to claw back financial losses. I think that it's ridiculous that the 40GB version is not PS2 compatible even with the reduced price tag. Also, the fact that the 60GB version is being phased out in Europe just adds salt to the wounds.

 

They also cut the price of the PS2 to £94.99. I guess for those on a budget you can buy one, then the other instead of one flat big chunk.