20GB PS3 Axed

GarethDW

GarethDW

GarethDW

Soldato
Joined
22 Jun 2006
Posts
2,971
Location
Swindon
Engadget has an article saying that the 20GB version of the PS3 has been officially laid to rest. I had to do a double-take and check the date of the article, in case it was written 11 days ago.

This seems a bit of a quick decision on Sony's part, if you ask me... especially as it's the model I'd have been most tempted to get (and upgrade the HDD on).

Seeing as though the 60GB model is still in stock, this suggests to me that the price is a sticking point with the average punter, so quite why Sony have decided to discontinue the cheaper model is really beyond my comprehension. :confused:
 
GarethDW said:
Engadget has an article saying that the 20GB version of the PS3 has been officially laid to rest. I had to do a double-take and check the date of the article, in case it was written 11 days ago.

This seems a bit of a quick decision on Sony's part, if you ask me... especially as it's the model I'd have been most tempted to get (and upgrade the HDD on).

Seeing as though the 60GB model is still in stock, this suggests to me that the price is a sticking point with the average punter, so quite why Sony have decided to discontinue the cheaper model is really beyond my comprehension. :confused:
Click to expand...



The announcement was by SCEA so is only for the North American market where I think it was being outsold 10:1 by the 60Gb version.

tbh As it has been chopped in USA, I dunno if this model will ever see the light of day in the EU now. Shame.


rp2000
 
It was going to happen sooner or later. Sales were poor and it was losing Sony even more money with customers buying the cheaper version. I for one am not sad to see it go. Fair play to Sony for at least attemting to offer most consumers a choice, but business wise it just didn't make sense...
 
mdjmcnally said:
Aren't there other differences then just the disk size between the two versions?
Click to expand...


Apart from the size difference in HDD the 60GB model also has Media Card Readers (for Flash memory), built in wifi, and a silver optical drive facia (cosmetic difference).

I think that is the only differences.


rp2000
 
mdjmcnally said:
Aren't there other differences then just the disk size between the two versions?
Click to expand...

Yes, the 60GB model has built-in wireless and CF/SD/Sony Memory Stick card reader slots also. Oh yes, and of course the chrome trim.
 
good news, less confusion in the retail place, and I think we will see a price drop for the ps3 quisker, yes to try and catch 360 but as the 360 has 3 sku's I think the elite and premium models might hold their price longer, and the ps3 will become excellent value with the fothcoming price drop
 
Sony have not Axed the 20Gb version. Three major US retailers are dropping it in favour of the 60Gb version which is outselling it.

Sony have just said that they are monitoring its sales for the time being, but i expect they will stop manufacturing it soon.
 
Elston said:
Sony have not Axed the 20Gb version. Three major US retailers are dropping it in favour of the 60Gb version which is outselling it.

Sony have just said that they are monitoring its sales for the time being, but i expect they will stop manufacturing it soon.
Click to expand...

Are you sure?

Sony said:
Dave Karraker of Sony America states, "At launch, we offered two separate models of PlayStation 3 to meet the diverse needs and interests of our PlayStation fan base. Initial retail demand in North America was upwards of ninety percent in favor of the 60GB SKU, so we manufactured and shipped-in accordingly. Due to the overwhelming demand for the 60GB model from both retailers and consumers, we have ceased offering the 20GB model here in North America. In addition to the larger internal hard drive, the 60GB PlayStation 3 features added storage media slots and built-in Wi-Fi not found in the 20GB system. Based on retailer and consumer feedback, we have decided to focus our current efforts on the more popular 60GB model."
Click to expand...
 
Ok, you win, Gamesindustry.biz now reporting the same.

But that statement had not been made when i posted last night! :p :D
 
GarethDW said:
Seeing as though the 60GB model is still in stock, this suggests to me that the price is a sticking point with the average punter, so quite why Sony have decided to discontinue the cheaper model is really beyond my comprehension. :confused:
Click to expand...

By reducing product variety, they should be able to give further price cuts on the 60Gb version.

My reaction is good - as far as I can tell the standard versions of consoles is just for advertising purposes anyway, so they can say "prices start from £xxx" when in reality everyone is going to get the premium version for an extra hundred quid.
 
So is it being axed or chopped? ;)

The 20Gb isnt cheap enough is the problem.

Thats were MS score with the Core being so cheap, its very affordable but this hasnt worked for Sony even though they criticised MS launching with 2x SKUs.

Time for a new Gameplan...
Offer free HDTVs to every buyer...
 
Mr Latte said:
I didnt want blu ray but now that ive got it im enjoying it...
Particulary the asskicking PCM soundtracks.
Click to expand...
OMG I must be still asleep and imagining this :D

The better TrueHD/DTS-HD soundtracks are phenomenal arent they - still disappointed however with numerous discs only coming with "PCM 5.1" as the only English soundtrack option however (which to me just comparable to ~standard~ dvd soundtracks)

Back to original OP

I havent looked into these 20GB units that much but at one time they were meant to not have hdmi, and going componant route instead - Im guessing this changed though

Its quite funny really when you consider that most people think that MS charge too much for wifi and their 20GB ext hdd add-ons and yet when Sony try and release a cheaper 20GB console without wifi which more directly reflects the difference in cost of these items - people complain again (at the cost of the two units being too similar)

a wifi adaptor should only be £20 or so at rrp, and the cost difference between a 20Gb hdd and a 60Gb unit is negligable not sure about the media reader but its not going to be vastly different as a whole unit cost to the 60GB "premium" units .

Im really not trying to start a flame war or anything (we certainly dont need another one) I just find it interesting that the price difference really shouldnt be vastly different unless Sony change something vastly important (which then makes it impossible for Developers either creating everything for the "lesser" machine - or creating two versions of every game)

I guess you can look at it that as the UK are paying near enough the highest price in the world for the PS3 (isnt Ireland paying slightly more) then we will notice the biggest cost difference also between the two units

Anyway just my 2p's worth
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom