Rumor: 80GB PS3 to be discontinued in Japan, parts ordered for new Sony consoles
We've got a bunch more kindling for the ever-burning PS3 Slim rumor today, so try and keep up. First and foremost, Kotaku recently uncovered a document from a 7-Eleven in Japan (where 7-Elevens are apparently respected games dealers), which asks that stores stop taking pre-orders for 80GB PS3s as of August 9 -- at the behest of Sony. If legit, this move could be the start of the 80GB's mass exodus, as foretold by the Ars Technica mole in the "Great PS3 Slim Prophecy of 2009."
Other rumors come to us in the form of a Telegraph report, which rounds up a number of potential signs pointing to the svelte system's existence; one of which is an excerpt from a DigiTimes article that states Sony has "ordered enough parts to make one million consoles in the third quarter of this year," which is twice as much as was ordered in the past three months. Are these parts being used to make Slims? PSP Gos? A weaponized mech suit for Kaz Hirai?
From there, Telegraph drops a bunch of unsourced details which should be taken with a sizable grain of apprehensive salt. First, the outlet claims a PS3 Slim announcement "could come later this month" during the GamesCom convention in Cologne, with the actual console appearing by the holidays. According to Telegraph, the console "is expected to" come in two flavors -- 40GB and 80GB -- and will include two unnamed games. Best of all, it will supposedly have a lower price point than current models. Ah, now they're playing our tune.
Other rumors come to us in the form of a Telegraph report, which rounds up a number of potential signs pointing to the svelte system's existence; one of which is an excerpt from a DigiTimes article that states Sony has "ordered enough parts to make one million consoles in the third quarter of this year," which is twice as much as was ordered in the past three months. Are these parts being used to make Slims? PSP Gos? A weaponized mech suit for Kaz Hirai?
From there, Telegraph drops a bunch of unsourced details which should be taken with a sizable grain of apprehensive salt. First, the outlet claims a PS3 Slim announcement "could come later this month" during the GamesCom convention in Cologne, with the actual console appearing by the holidays. According to Telegraph, the console "is expected to" come in two flavors -- 40GB and 80GB -- and will include two unnamed games. Best of all, it will supposedly have a lower price point than current models. Ah, now they're playing our tune.













Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
iPunch @ Aug 4th 2009 10:35AM
CHYES!
Snakku @ Aug 4th 2009 11:39AM
I would say the parts are for Kaz's gundam suit
Josh @ Aug 4th 2009 5:17PM
SHOW YOUR MOVES!
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 4th 2009 10:36AM
and so it starts.....
I'm still kind of in Shock that we are seeing a Slim THIS early in the PS3 life cycle(PS2 Slim was 4-5 years in) But I suppose Sony finds it necessary to do it now. That being the case how are they going to boost sales in year 5?
Crazy-008 @ Aug 4th 2009 10:55AM
Bundles?
jon @ Aug 4th 2009 10:58AM
Brundlefly?
mahouneko @ Aug 4th 2009 6:23PM
Techniques in miniaturizing electronic parts are much more advanced today than they were several years. I'm not entirely sure if Moore's Law can also be applied to this but the speed at which things can be miniaturized have really come a long way.
I mean, look at the iPod when it first started out, then look at it now and how we have the Touch and the Shuffle flavors.
When the PS3 first started out, it was using 90 nm die sets for its Cell processors in 2006. In 2007, the PS3 was using a 90/65 nm mix of die sets for Cell processors. In 2008, it started using 65 nm die sets. And just half a year ago, SCEE's top executive was talking about the 45 nm Cell processors going into full production this summer.
Also, it's not as if Microsoft and Nintendo haven't been doing the same thing. What I'm curious of right now is how much it costs to build a 360 and a Wii as opposed to their production costs at launch.
Bradwart @ Aug 4th 2009 10:37AM
40GB for 250, 80GB for 350.
Then we'll see who's behind!
If it includes BC, I'll buy a second PS3.
I would guess the bundled games to be things like RaC: ToD, GT5 Prologue, Uncharted again. Games with sequels hitting around this Christmas.
So does this mean my 160GB remains the biggest PS3 ever?
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 4th 2009 10:45AM
I dont understand WHY they would go back down...the HDD is one of the CHEAPEST components in the PS3...surely they can get 320GB HDDs in bulk for under $50-60 why would a drop back to 40GBs make it that cheap?? not to mention that would be undercutting all they have been going for with the PS3 being a "Movie Download Machine" you get 2 games installed and 3-4 HD movies and the HDD is FULL
Mr.Chrome @ Aug 4th 2009 10:47AM
Chris i agree with u but its all the competition
jon @ Aug 4th 2009 10:52AM
That would be sweet, but I think $250 for the 40GB slim is a little optimistic.
I'm guessing $299 is more like it.
Bradwart @ Aug 4th 2009 10:53AM
They probably figure anyone using it as a media hub is going to upgrade the HDD anyway.
Or *shudders* the Slim has a proprietary HDD., which would be awful.
Seeing as I'm using around 75GB now, I'd have to upgrade the HDD in either before it replaced my Phat.
Paul @ Aug 4th 2009 10:59AM
go on craigs list or amazon and get a BC PS3 for real cheap. I got a my 60gb for $150 with assassins creed, GTA4, and Fifa 09. I know people are apprehensive about buying a console online but that's what seller ratings are for.
Bradwart @ Aug 4th 2009 11:04AM
I've purchased lots of things on eBay. But I still have my PS2 sitting next to the PS3, and judging from the amount of playtime it gets, BC isn't a huge issue, it'd just be nice to pack the PS2 away.
Sean @ Aug 4th 2009 1:28PM
$200 and $300, hit MS and Nintendo where it hurts, and give me a reason to plop one of these machines down next to my 360 and Wii.
mahouneko @ Aug 4th 2009 6:41PM
@Chris:
I believe that you're confusing the 3.5" form factor harddrives with the 2.5" form factor harddrives. Case in point:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136373
The Baron @ Aug 4th 2009 10:38AM
I would actually rather see Hirai's weaponized mech suit than the PS3 slim.
Rob @ Aug 4th 2009 10:43AM
Yes, the era of mechanized robot suits has been delayed for far too long.
Kleptomaniac @ Aug 4th 2009 10:46AM
I think people would think twice before leaking rumours about playstation products if they knew that Mech Kaz would come and destroy them and their family.
On topic, I think the PS3 slim is real. Smaller and less parts means cheaper production costs meaning that Sony can then afford to drop the price. Bundle the PS3 Slim with a Christmas release of GT5 as is also rumoured and you have a very successful holiday season for Sony!
Jake @ Aug 4th 2009 11:52AM
Oh god yes. That's a 3 in 1 reason to buy the thing. Its slim, its less money, and it has GT5 with it... A game so many have been waiting for, just to get the Ps3.
I admit I'm getting the slim too, and selling (or giving away) my old 40gb (after I take out my 500gb hdd of course). Should there be 2 models like it says, it will be the cheaper one I go for.... UNLESS, and like you can see, its a big 'unless'. UNLESS the more expensive one has the Backwards Compatibility feature.
Only time will tell.... *runs off to try and freeze himself*
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 4th 2009 12:21PM
Whoa Whoa Whoa....GT5 is Rumored to come out THIS year!?!?!
I could see in Japan MAYBE, but GLOBALLY??? dunno... would be nice tho....GT5 WILL move units....maybe as many as FF13 in Japan
tmacairjordan87 @ Aug 4th 2009 10:42AM
I'm a bit tired of this game. We all know the slim's coming, can we just stop caring until Sony finally decides to make it official?
JayVe @ Aug 4th 2009 11:34AM
Exactly.
The PS3 is a fine machine stuck in 3rd place. I can understand the excitement from all the kiddies who grew up when PlayStation was synonymous with gaming and are frothing at the mouth for Sony to be on top again... but this PS3 slim isn't going to change the tide.
The PS3 has a number of problems in the marketplace. It is perceived as being too expensive, and full of extra stuff people don't want. It forces a number of game installs, and has a smaller game selection than either the 360 or Wii. Needless to say, size isn't one of the things that is keeping customers from purchasing a PS3.
I could understand the excitement IF the new slim PS3 was going to be sold for $249, as then Sony would stand a chance of going toe-to-toe with Microsoft for worldwide install base. But WE ALL KNOW from Sony's previous efforts that the new slim PS3 will be introduced at the same price point, and the phat models will get a fire sale. This happened with earlier models, and will even happen with the PSP Go.
If Sony is going to FINALLY be profitable on the slim version of the PS3, they still have YEARS of losses to make up from selling phat PS3 models at a loss. Sadly, PS3's biggest hurdle, PRICE, isn't going to go away with the introduction of the slim PS3.
Kleptomaniac @ Aug 4th 2009 11:51AM
Hmm I really should of put a sarcasm tag on that post. Poor Tmac his email is going to get spammed thanks to us!
why not the LS2LS7? @ Aug 4th 2009 12:19PM
joystiq covered CPU feature sizes and power brick connector shapes on 360 for months too. It's just what they do. If you are still coming here, you've clearly made your peace with this a while back.
Mr Khan @ Aug 4th 2009 1:20PM
The thing about this is it isn't even a mystery, though. We've seen the motherboards, we've seen the new designs. We know it's out there, the only question is "when" (a question answered with a mostly-obvious "TGS")
SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Aug 4th 2009 10:43AM
I'll buy a PS3 Slim to replace my current one ONLY if they have them in white.
Why? Because I'm the world's smartest consumer. That's why.
*eats fritos while drinking pepsi*
Kleptomaniac @ Aug 4th 2009 10:47AM
Or because you're a racist!
SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Aug 4th 2009 10:55AM
http://i25.tinypic.com/e97o5u.gif
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 4th 2009 11:00AM
did you REALLY have to find the second worst picture of Samuel L. Jackson?? lol
Paul @ Aug 4th 2009 11:04AM
Lets' be honest. Don't we all want a slim, sexy, white, game player?
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 4th 2009 11:11AM
nope.....Black is Sexy for Home Entertainment Equipment....thats why I have my Wii hidden
Kleptomaniac @ Aug 4th 2009 11:24AM
Chris is embarrassed by his 'Wii' :P
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 4th 2009 11:25AM
sticks out like a sore thumb when everything else is black...lol
Kleptomaniac @ Aug 4th 2009 11:31AM
Nothing a bit of spray paint wont fix.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 4th 2009 11:44AM
Spray paint?? Ummm yea....right...thats worse than those damn stickers...I can see using that on Wooden furniture or a bike...but not on Technology of that nature...
Wardo @ Aug 4th 2009 10:44AM
If they add BC to the slim I might consider getting one if my 60GB launch system ever fails on me.
cheaddar @ Aug 4th 2009 10:45AM
If they're only coming out with 40 and 80 gb models, then why is there 120 gb on the rumoured slim box?
Heimbachae @ Aug 4th 2009 10:55AM
point, set, match!
Bradwart @ Aug 4th 2009 10:56AM
40+80=120?
Just kidding. Perhaps the 120GB will be a US model. This article is for Japan after all.
Neptune @ Aug 4th 2009 11:06AM
It is three 40GB PS3's duct taped together..
Hyams @ Aug 4th 2009 11:18AM
The Telegraph just made those figures up, as they give no source for them.
Sony would never use 40GB HDD again. Not only is that too small now days, what with all the games with mandatory installs, but it would actually be *cheaper* to just use a larger HDD, because 40GB ones aren't mass produced any more and would have to be custom built.
And yeah, as you said, there's a 120GB sticker on that box.
Bradwart @ Aug 4th 2009 11:20AM
Crazy thought-they'd go down if it was an SSD.
Ryan_P27 @ Aug 4th 2009 11:21AM
I didnt notice that on box till you mentioned that. Very intresting
Hyams @ Aug 4th 2009 11:22AM
That'd be too expensive. They want to cut costs, not increase them.
Neptune @ Aug 4th 2009 11:27AM
Hyams I agree.
Plus there wouldn't be any sense to make both new 40GB and 80GB models if the only difference would be the HD size.
And I would think the rumored software BC would work in all models anyways.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 4th 2009 12:15PM
SSD in the PS3!?!?! are you Trying to pay an Extra $200 for a PS3??
Luke @ Aug 4th 2009 1:46PM
There's a 1tb SSD coming out in a month for about $2500.
Mr.Chrome @ Aug 4th 2009 10:45AM
awesome news for me -- still waiting to get my ps3
Storm Eagle [Wiizer Sweatshop R&D] @ Aug 4th 2009 10:47AM
Yessss. Sing the sweet song of the slim's shipment.
MMhhmm. That's right.