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Sony discontinues 20 GB, 60 GB PS3 in Japan

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

January 10, 2008, 1:31 PM

The electronics maker is making some changes to its product lineup in its home market, deciding to focus on the 40 GB model.

While there are no immediate plans to replace the discontinued models in the immediate future, Sony says that it would launch new models based on the preferences of its customers based on demand.

The 40 GB model was launched in November and retails for 39,980 yen ($365 USD). It created an interesting pricing structure for Sony, where its smaller 20 GB cousin retails for 44,980 yen.

There is a difference between the two however: The 20 GB offers the backwards compatibility that many long-time PlayStation aficionados may crave, whereas the 40 GB does not.

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By Danno

posted Jan 11, 2008 - 1:44 AM

Wow this looks like
"hey we aren't selling our consoles and the warehouses are full of 20g and 60g PS 3's, not to mention the stores are full of our PS2's. What are we going to do? We aren't catching Microsoft or Nintendo. What should we do??? It costs us money to make these consoles.....

I know discontinue a useless product that no one outside of Japan or Joey Deacon whole heartily defends.

Score: 0

By NULLedge

posted Jan 10, 2008 - 4:21 PM

what, they needed more media attention? (stares at the "see it all." add)

SEEN IT ALL, THANK YOU.

Score: 0

By plague201

posted Jan 10, 2008 - 3:59 PM

I must be one of the few that wants B/C. Sucks to be me here, if this is being done in Japan is not too far off here in the US.

Score: 0

By NULLedge

posted Jan 10, 2008 - 4:24 PM

ya know, its a friggen software patch. they're using it as an up sell tactic. it costs them pennies to include it. what the hell, sony?

Score: 0

By Joey Deacon

posted Jan 10, 2008 - 1:46 PM

Looks like they are standardising the range across the world. This is a wise more.

Looks like the 2 packs will be:

40GB budget pack, 1 SixAxis, no games, no PS2 BC, no card slots, 2xUSB

80GB (or more) premium pack, Software based PS2 emu, card slots, 3xUSB, and DualShock 3, and a bundled game

If Sony want to get both the budget buyer, AND those that want the full leaded version, then they need to make both a high end, and a low end.

Of course they won't make the mistake of crippling the budget models like Microsoft did, as the budget and premium PS3's both perform identically in "PS3 mode", meaning all have Cell/Blu-ray/HDD combo.

Score: 0

By Maymne

posted Jan 10, 2008 - 4:08 PM

And you don't think that removing BC would be considered 'crippling the budget models'? I know I'd never buy a PS3 without it...

Score: 0

By smarterthanyou

posted Jan 10, 2008 - 3:12 PM

All Xbox 360 game systems use the same CPU. Some of the Xbox 360 game systems may have had a die shrink on the CPU to 65nm but otherwise the CPU's are identical.

Score: 0

By kaktus

posted Jan 10, 2008 - 7:27 PM

I must be one of the few that wants B/C. Sucks to be me here, if this is being done in Japan is not too far off here in the US.

http://kezfun.net

Score: 0

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