Could there be a third PlayStation 3 model on the way? Only time will tell...
The 40GB PlayStation 3 is confusing a lot of people over the world right now and is still unconfirmed for the US markets by Sony. The general consensus from analysts is that Sony wants to
clear the US market of 60GB PlayStation 3s before they confirm the release of the cheaper, 40GB model.
However, further complicating the matter is a new FCC filing which looks like it may be yet another version of the PlayStation 3.
The new filing, under the model number CECHH01 (FCC ID AK8CBEH1300, if you're interested), is a new application from Sony and shows that a new model has undergone testing at the FCC, according to
Kotaku, who were tipped off by a reader.
The exact hardware details are covered by a confidentiality agreement, so nobody has the actual inside scoop right now. The only thing we can confirm is that the new model will still have Bluetooth and wireless LAN.
The Kotaku tipster has put forward the logical theory that SCEA may be hoping to get two price reduced models out in the US by Christmas. The first would be the 40GB model, which is backwards incompatible and stripped down, while the second model would have a larger drive and more standard set of hardware, but would still be backwards incompatible.
For my part, I have to say I think Sony are suffering right now because their fans are watching them so closely. With multiple models available in multiple countries and a new SKU possibly on the way, customers may well hold off buying a PlayStation 3 altogether until they can assess the full line-up and choose the option that most suits them. That's doubly true if there are possible price cuts down the line.
Got PlayStation 3 and, if so which model and why? State your fanboy allegiances and get down to
the forums to let us know what you think.
In the meantime my daughter and I continue to squabble over the pc... that's the best entertainment system!
with so many versions of the PS3 now, some must of been kicking themselfs after shelling out nearly £500 this time last year. the price drop is great, but a massive blow to the loyal fan base that got the PS3 at launch. not sure if i would be happy at nearly £200 out of pocket!
If Sony, Microsoft et al have their heads screwed on, a price decrease ready for the launch of GTA IV would see sales go through the stratosphere.
How many different pc set ups and models out there?? If you walk into PC world there are hundreds of different HP computers with different insides. I call that confusing if im a tom, dick or harry.
I think it's a good thing. The only things holding me back is that with no backward compatibility, I doubt I'll ever get round to completing Shadows of the Colossus and that, apparently Home isn't a patch on Live and having used Live and found it to be pretty darned good, I just wonder how crap Home has to be?
But normally they only sell one version at a time.
the price difference on the Sony uk models is still confusing me, you can currently buy the 60gb with two games for £349 or the 40gb with no games for £299, surely you need to buy games with the ps3 to actually make use of it and then you get no difference in price at all. can be seen as at gamestation,. 60gb ps3, 2 games and 2 movies £349, 40gb ps3 2 games and 2 movies £349.
admittedly the 60gb is with selected games and the 40gb is all games, but the selected games seem to be the good ones anyway.
ah well, still think I'll leave it to at least March before even looking at the ps3.
But overall, the differences with the consoles were purely internal and to the average user, it made no actual difference in what you were getting. All the version did the same thing, and cost the same price. The only time they made a change that actually made a difference to the point of people looking at it and wanting to get it over their current one is when they would make the system smaller as their new gen console was coming out.