So the PlayStation 3, as we
just learned, is launching as two different SKUs. Since many of you have asked, and just as many of you have tipped us to the press release, here are the differences between the "base" and "premium" version of the console.
- You lose 40GB (20GB base vs. 60GB)
- You lose HDMI output
- You lose MemoryStick / SD / CompactFlash slots
- You lose 802.11 b/g wireless
- You save $100
We are not sure how upgradeable the base model is going to be. The extra $100 is looking good to us. It's kind of strange how Sony did an
about-face on the multiple SKU model, but we guess it has something to do with
that $599 price tag.
[Image from our Sony press conference; thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Download (.doc file)
{ May 9th 2006 at 12:30AM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
2slick @ May 9th 2006 12:32AM
hell no, my 360 and a wii will do for a long time
Saxon @ May 9th 2006 12:34AM
$600? Jenkies!
elementalwinds @ May 9th 2006 12:34AM
LAMESTATION 3
kelekod @ May 9th 2006 12:34AM
Wii will own all now.. goodbye sony, goodbye MS..
600? wow, something you have to ask yourself.. is it worth it? who in the world would not want those features not included.. great job sony!
DidYouLoseASock @ May 9th 2006 12:35AM
why not link back to the post about when sony said they would only have one model unlike the xbox 360... sony is a lier.
Uglypimp @ May 9th 2006 12:36AM
Holy god, how do they expect to get away with that? So in essence, you need to fork out 600 dollars for the 'real' console. Terrible.
boots (former bd (former b)) @ May 9th 2006 12:37AM
NO HDMI?!?!?! FUCKING IDIOTS!!!
Subtracting HDMI out of the console goes goes against their on goals and targets of making blu-ray a standard!
epobirs @ May 9th 2006 12:39AM
The big question is whether these items can be added later without having a bunch of external add-ons hanging off the machine. What you're giving up to save $100 seems far more drastic than on the Xbox 360.
This is remarkable. Not only is Sony not supporting their own PS1/PS2 legacy memory cards but is also foregoing memory card support of any kind at the low end.
The HDMI will leave consumers wondering when the threatened lower resolution output of Blu-ray movies on non-HDCP (which requires HDMI) may spring up to devalue their PS3's Blu-ray support. Will there be an add-on option for HDMI?
Lovey Dovey @ May 9th 2006 12:39AM
The Basic doesn't have 802.11 b/g wireless, does that mean it won't play nice with the PSP.
Kevin @ May 9th 2006 12:40AM
UGH. Looks like i'm buying a Wii for the cool shit and a 360 for the standard 3rd party dealios
starbeamalpha @ May 9th 2006 12:41AM
wow I was "ok" with $500 but now $600 just hit my wtf nerve.
OffTopic Man @ May 9th 2006 12:42AM
When and if you decide to fork out $600 for this PS3 please consider you are getting a next-gen DVD player, and that going out to a store and buying one of these next gen DVD players isn't going to be cheap.
Andrew @ May 9th 2006 12:42AM
I think it's safe to say that $599 ain't happening for a lot of us, and $499 SKU is a pretty crippled machine. It will be interesting to see if there's the same kind of PS3 shortage that there was for the 360.
Who would have thought a year ago that Nintendo is now likely to win the next-gen hardware race?
Justin @ May 9th 2006 12:42AM
I am going to love telling the people that buy the $499 system and think they are getting their visuals in HD, that they might as well be watching a DVD on their old SDTV on their old DVD player.
Aaaaah, the irony of it all.
Jesus @ May 9th 2006 12:43AM
PlayStation 3 Controller Loses Vibration!
gameclu @ May 9th 2006 12:45AM
I feel this is one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't situations. If I don't pay the extra $100, I'm a fool because I really could use the HDMI and larger drive. But then if I do pay the extra money, I'm paying $600 + tax for the system. I don't like either option. I wish stuff was free.
boots (former bd (former b)) @ May 9th 2006 12:46AM
Oh, and no IEEE 802.11 b/g... FUCK YOU SONY. That was one of the features I was most looking forward to out of the box. Sure, it's an extra 100 bucks, but you just ruined the chance of making almost everyone go online, like Nintendo. Now it's just another peripheral, like the crap on 360.
Wii will own. PS3 did some good things, but taking HDMI and 802.11 out of the console as standards was a big fucking mistake. 360 doesn't need HDMI because it is not an HD movie player. Of course, "in the beginning" HDMI won't be needed for movies, but it's still retarded not to include it. Fucking incredible.
DetoX @ May 9th 2006 12:47AM
its all worth it for mgs4
Yellow Texan @ May 9th 2006 12:47AM
7.) Ummm...PSP has an USB port so WiFi is pretty much not the only option and will not make sense for connectivity solution.
Seang @ May 9th 2006 12:47AM
OffTopic Man remember that this is a battle between Blu-Ray and HD-DVD and if Blu-Ray wins and is here to stay by the time there are enough titles out to justify purchasing a player the price for said player should be much more managable.
Will @ May 9th 2006 12:48AM
all you idiot xbox fanboys fell to realize that MS charges $400 for the 360, $100 for the wifi adaptor and will be a minimum of $100 for hddvd drive...all this equals $600 and you're still short 40gb of storage and you're paying to play on xbox live, something that you can do for free on the ps3. you've gotta look into the price, dont just take it at first glance and be in shock, because every single person that has the xbox 360 premium system with wifi is paying this much and not gettin anywhere near what you get with the ps3
Jesus @ May 9th 2006 12:48AM
How much will games be?
It's not the PS3.
It's the NeoGeo 2 or 3D0 2!
Scott @ May 9th 2006 12:49AM
Can anyone please tell me exactly how many hours until the nintendo press conferance.
Aaron @ May 9th 2006 12:49AM
The thing is that people will need about $1000 to get a ready to play system... system, controllers, a few games, tax... whew. I'm passing on this one. I'll get the new Nintendo for my son... but I'll be passing on PS3.
tom @ May 9th 2006 12:49AM
I think that cheaper SKU is such a bad idea! I was really looking forward to this system too. obviously i'll get the more expensive one. But still it's stupid to cripple it like they did. Also even the expensive one doesn't match up to its original outlined specs. The original specs stated it would have:
3 Ethernet ports - only has one!
6 USB ports - it only has four
2 HDMI ports - it only has one on the expensive version!
Dual monitor output - i don't know how they intend on doing this now
802.11b/g - it only has it on the expensive system!
Dolby 7.1 stereo surround - only supports 5.1 emulated
so i'm feeling pretty jipped and ripped off!
anyone else?
hope they fix some of that shit up! and a 20/60GB hdd is going to fill up so quick with Hi def video trailers and games and save files!
ARGH!
frokta @ May 9th 2006 12:50AM
Forget Sony! That is reeee-tar-did *!*
By November you'll be able to build a fricken PC for $600 that will play games at 1080p on your HDTV which look WAY better than anything on either of these half baked consoles.
Justin @ May 9th 2006 12:50AM
Ummm...PSP has an USB port so WiFi is pretty much not the only option and will not make sense for connectivity solution.
_______________________________________________________
Then you would love the Gamecube, and its GBA connectivity.
Corey @ May 9th 2006 12:51AM
Nintendo's opening statement tomorrow:
"Everyone laughed when we announced the Wii, Then Sony came along and took all the bad press off of us, Thank you Sony, We LOVE your customers too."
Keter Tip @ May 9th 2006 12:51AM
At least its not as bad as not having HDD standard (as it is on 360).
Lacking HDMI, WiFi, card readers sucks for sure...but, it doesn't cripple the developer like NOT HAVE AN HDD on the 360.
600$ is not a lot of money. People spend that much on crippled MacMinis to put in their cars.
Rodney L. @ May 9th 2006 12:52AM
You'd think Sony would've learned learned from Microsoft about this... oh wait maybe they did.
Scott @ May 9th 2006 12:53AM
Can anyone please tell me exactly how many hours until the nintendo press conferance.
Will @ May 9th 2006 12:53AM
Xbox 360 Premium: $400
Wii: $200
PS3: $600
Getting two consoles (X360+Wii) for the price of one (PS3) Priceless
The ZeroCorpse @ May 9th 2006 12:57AM
Next-gen DVD player? Blu-Ray?
Ha.
HD-DVD will win. It will win because people don't like copy protection, and they don't like being told that they need to use ONE particular kind of cable (that runs around $50) to see their movies in HD.
I've already got an Xbox 360. If I really want to upgrade to high definition movies, it will probably cost me around $100.
And please, do not forget that you have to add the cost of an HDMI cable to the PS3 if you want to watch Blu-Ray movies in high definition. With the 360 and the HD-DVD add-on, High Definition movies will still play in HD.
The Sony PS3 is not a game system. It's a Blu-Ray Trojan horse that also plays a few games.
v2 @ May 9th 2006 12:58AM
haha, by November the PS3 will be so stripped down it'll be the PS2. Joking, joking.
tacky @ May 9th 2006 1:01AM
Wasn't this system to support 7 controllers too? The close-up pic of the new controller clearly shows lights for 4 devices.
Or was that 3 PSPs you could link up?
Causality @ May 9th 2006 1:01AM
best post ever #30
Noah Horton @ May 9th 2006 1:03AM
all you idiot xbox fanboys fell to realize that MS charges $400 for the 360, $100 for the wifi adaptor and will be a minimum of $100 for hddvd drive...all this equals $600 and you're still short 40gb of storage and you're paying to play on xbox live, something that you can do for free on the ps3. you've gotta look into the price, dont just take it at first glance and be in shock, because every single person that has the xbox 360 premium system with wifi is paying this much and not gettin anywhere near what you get with the ps3
------------------------------------------
A. It is safe to assume that MS will drop the price on 360 before PS3 releases, so the apples-to-apples comparison will not be accurate at release.
B. MS may well up the HD size by PS3 RTM.
C. I will have been using my 360 for a year when the PS3 releases. If I have paid the same total sum (ignoring my above points on price), I am still ahead as I have gotten an extra year of use.
D. Since 360 replaces the xbox (at least for me it did), and since I already had a wireless adapter for my xbox, that meant there was not really any cost for wifi. I imagine this is true for most people using xbox. However, since PS2 was barely networked, and thus people did not have adapters, it is a bigger issue for PS3 buyers.
Jedimonkey @ May 9th 2006 1:04AM
Hehe, I really do think that this is the end of Sony. No video game company has held top spot for more than 2 consecutive generations so far and whenever there are three major competitors one drops out eventually due to a lack of market. $600 is insane and people will not pay that kind of mony with the 360 and the Wii sitting right next to it for hundreds cheaper. Remember people, this is $600 with NO GAMES. I think that this is the end of Sony, as top dog at least.
DC @ May 9th 2006 1:04AM
As of 10:05 PM Pacific time.. 11 hours and 25 minutes. It starts at 9:30 AM tomorrow (May 9) by the way.
Will @ May 9th 2006 1:05AM
Xbox 360=$400 + $100 for wifi + $100 hddvd= $600
PS3= $600 (40gb more than xbox 360, indludes wifi, hdmi, blu ray)
Wii=?
Scott @ May 9th 2006 1:06AM
Well i didnt think it was that good. I don't live in america, and i am terrible at working out time differances, so if i know how many hours to go, i knwo when to stay awake.
The ZeroCorpse @ May 9th 2006 1:07AM
Will, man... Your numbers are skewed. In the other PS3 thread I outlined it, but basically you're saying that 360 will cost more if you buy EVERYTHING that is optional.
Here's the key: It's optional.
Out the door on day one, the PS3 Premium will be $600 + $50 for an HDMI cable (necessary for Blu-Ray movies).
Out the door on day one, the XBox 360 was $400 (component cable included).
If I don't need WiFi, I don't have to pay Microsoft $100 for Wifi. On the Sony PS3, that's not a choice. You're stuck paying for it if you want the console with Blu-Ray movies playing at HD quality (meaning HDMI).
If I don't want to watch HD movies, I don't have to pay MS the additional $100 for the HD-DVD peripheral. Even if I do, I can still use my Component cables, unlike the PS3 which NEEDS the HDMI connection because of Blu-Ray's crazy copy protections.
So, to get an Xbox 360 that plays HD movies, I'm spending $500 total.
To get a PS3 that plays HD movies, I'm spending $650 total.
To get an Xbox 360 with WiFi, but no HD movies, I'm paying $500 total.
To get a PS3 with WiFi, you pay for the HDMI port too, for $600 total (no cable)
To get an Xbox 360 with Wifi and HD-DVD, I'm paying $600 total.
To get a PS3 with Wifi and HD-DVD, I'm paying $650 total (again, need that HDMI cable to get HD movies in Blu-Ray).
But the major point is that on the 360, I have a CHOICE. If I don't want to pay extra for HD-DVD or WiFi, I don't have to. I can still play games, and for $200 less than the premium PS3, and $100 less than the crippled PS3.
Sony screwed up. They're trying to get Blu-Ray into homes, and not concentrating on the gamers. This is not a games console. This is a multimedia center that plays games as an afterthought. It's quite disappointing.
tacky @ May 9th 2006 1:07AM
@frokta - By November $600 for a PC that plays games with graphics easily on par with (if not better than) 7900GT level?
I understand your point, but that's just crazy speak.
ozymandias @ May 9th 2006 1:07AM
Sony fanboys {insert foot}
yea thats right, back in nov.05 a world wide launch was stupid, a core and premium console package was worse,xbox live was a joke, and the "rev-mote" was a gimmick. so...
how do you like you xStation Wii?
Carlton @ May 9th 2006 1:09AM
FU Sony
Getting Wiii all the way Just hope it's under 250.00
Ian @ May 9th 2006 1:11AM
This is some bullshit, at least the premium 360 was a reasonable 400 but 600 bucks is 2X the amount that the PS2 originally cost. No wifi means no psp connection, no hdmi is bad if you want to use it as a movie player, and no memory card reader means no games on the go. Plus at least you can upgrade the stuff from the core to the premium 360 but you can't add an HDMI port or wifi (well you could with a usb add on i guess) or the memory card reader.
@ 12. "When and if you decide to fork out $600 for this PS3 please consider you are getting a next-gen DVD player, and that going out to a store and buying one of these next gen DVD players isn't going to be cheap."
Thats true but look at the PS2 as a DVD player, it sucks serious ass. If you use your ps2 as your primary dvd player then you are a cheap ass who can't shell out the extra $ for a dvd player. Movie watchers aren't gonna get a PS3 just because its a cheaper BD player, unless their gamers too.
Jacko @ May 9th 2006 1:17AM
I going to get at least two. One for my villa in Italy and one for my den room in the Hamptons. Poor people suck.
Will @ May 9th 2006 1:18AM
The ZeroCorpse:
the thing is, everybody rips Sony for add ons but not MS...go figure. face it, MS insists that the majority of people will be playing on xbox live this gen and you know that most of them will use wifi to do it so they're going to end up having to buy the $100 peripheral. nowhere has it been mentioned that the hdmi cable wont be included with the ps3 when u purchase it, and the fact that i can get a much better picture with hdmi rather than only having the option of component cables with the 360 makes it worth payin the extra money alone. bottom line is that for the hardcore gamers, which are the people that are on here there is going to be no difference in price...only what you get for the price. and when it comes down to it ps3 has the 360 beat when it comes to bang for your buck. $600 on the ps3 gets you a lot more than $600 on the 360
boots (former bd (former b)) @ May 9th 2006 1:21AM
ZeroCorpse:
Stop trolling. I'm too tired right now to respond, so I'll do it tommorrow. I really don't know how you have so many stars after such biased and uninformed posts. Anyway, good night.
HD-DVD winning... what a joke.
Seer S @ May 9th 2006 1:21AM
"1. Next-gen DVD player? Blu-Ray?
Ha.
HD-DVD will win. It will win because people don't like copy protection, and they don't like being told that they need to use ONE particular kind of cable (that runs around $50) to see their movies in HD.
"
$9 USD http://www.pccables.com/cgi-bin/orders6.cgi?action=Showitem&partno=01752&rsite=f.01752
Don't shop for cables at bestbuy. It's that simple.
Not to mention that bluray and hd-dvd use almost the exact same copy protection.
"
I've already got an Xbox 360. If I really want to upgrade to high definition movies, it will probably cost me around $100.
"
Don't forget that $50 cable. Also, you're completely speculating as to the cost of the drive. You have no clue how expensive it would or would not be. But lets look at another peripherals:
Wireless network adapter? $100
vs.
USB wifi adapter? $25-40
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=usb+wifi&btnG=Search
Rather high mark up. Enjoy paying a ~500% (or similarly high) mark up on the HDDVD drive. And of course, you will be forced to buy MS's proprietary solution. It wil likely be impossible to use an external usb enclosure with an HD-DVD drive (not available right now, but will be). Oh did I mention that prices on peripherals pretty much _never_ drop throughout a console's lifetime? It gets even worse at the end of a cycle.
"
And please, do not forget that you have to add the cost of an HDMI cable to the PS3 if you want to watch Blu-Ray movies in high definition. With the 360 and the HD-DVD add-on, High Definition movies will still play in HD.
"
So, this all important god cable that is so expensive, if you think the ps3 pro version wont ship with one, what makes you think that the 360 add on will?
"
The Sony PS3 is not a game system. It's a Blu-Ray Trojan horse that also plays a few games.
"
The millions upon millions of people who will be playing many different games on this system a couple years from now would beg to differ.