So, Sony has finally confirmed what we all already knew from the plethora of leaks – they’re releasing a 40GB PS3 with an MSRP of $399.99. The new unit will come bundled with a Blu-ray copy of Spider-man 3, also as previously rumored. At the same time, the price on the 80GB PlayStation 3
Also as expected, the 40GB model is the same as the one recently released in Europe – two USB ports, no memory card reader, and no backwards compatibility.
The new 40GB PS3 will no longer play PlayStation(R)2 titles, reflecting the availability of a more extensive line-up of PS3 specific titles. Consumers looking for backwards compatibility can take advantage of the limited PlayStation 2 backwards compatibility of the 80GB PS3.
The new 40GB model goes hits shelves on November 2, and I’d expect it to be eligible for the Five Free Blu-Ray Disc Offer as well. This will make the 40GB PS3 the cheapest Blu-ray player on the market, by MSRP – though I still expect further Blu-ray player price cuts to be announced going into the holiday season.
Here’s the press release:
Oct 18, 2007 08:00 ET
Sony Computer Entertainment America Announces New 40GB Playstation(R)3 (PS3(TM)) Configuration and Price Reduction Of Current 80GB Model
New 40GB Model to be Available in North America on November 2nd for $399; Effective Immediately, 80GB PS3 to be Priced at $499
FOSTER CITY, Calif., Oct. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) today announced plans to introduce a new 40GB model of its PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system. Beginning November 2nd, to further enhance the HD entertainment experience, the new 40GB PS3 model will come bundled with the blockbuster movie Spider-Man(TM) 3 Blu-ray Disc(TM) (BD) from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, and will be available in North America for a suggested retail price of $399 (USD/CND). The company also announced that effective immediately, the current 80GB PS3 model will be available in North America for $499 (USD/CND), $100 below the original launch price.
“We’re pleased to offer the consumer a lower price point without sacrificing the core technology components that make PS3 the most advanced high-definition entertainment system available. Every PS3 comes with a Blu-ray drive, HDMI output, an integrated Wi-Fi connection, Cell Broadband Engine and a built-in hard-drive,” said Jack Tretton, President and CEO, SCEA. “This holiday season we’ll be able to offer attractive retail pricing with a broad portfolio of outstanding games including Ratchet & Clank(R) Future: Tools of Destruction(TM), THE EYE OF JUDGMENT(TM), Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune(TM), Heavenly Sword(TM), Call of Duty(R) 4: Modern Warfare, Assassin’s Creed(TM), Haze(TM) and RockBand(TM).”
The new 40GB PS3 will no longer play PlayStation(R)2 titles, reflecting the availability of a more extensive line-up of PS3 specific titles. Consumers looking for backwards compatibility can take advantage of the limited PlayStation 2 backwards compatibility of the 80GB PS3.
PLAYSTATION(R)3 40GB Specification
Product name PLAYSTATION(R)3
CPU Cell Broadband Engine(TM) (Cell/B.E.)
GPU RSX(TM)
Sound Dolby 5.1ch, DTS 5.1ch , LPCM 7.1ch, AAC,
others *1 *2
Memory 256MB XDR Main RAM, 256MB GDDR3 VRAM
HDD 2.5" Serial ATA 40GB
I/O USB 2.0 x2
Communication Ethernet X1 (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T)
IEEE 802.11 b/g Included
Bluetooth 2.0 Included
(EDR)
Wireless controller (Bluetooth) Included
AV Output Screen size 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
HDMI OUT x1 *3
AV MULTI OUT x1
DIGITAL OUT x1
(OPTICAL)
BD/DVD/CD Maximum Read Speed BD 2x (BD-ROM)
Drive DVD 8x (DVD-ROM)
(Read Only) CD 24x (CD-ROM)
Dimensions Approximately 12.75in(W) x 3.86in (H) x
10.8in (D)
Weight Approximately 11 lbs
*1 A device compatible with Linear PCM 7.1 Ch. is required to output 7.1
Ch. audio, supported by Dolby TrueHD or a similar format, from the HDMI
OUT connector.
*2 This system does not support output from the DTS-HD 7.1 Ch. DTS-HD 7.1
Ch. audio is output from a 5.1 or lower channel.
*3 "Deep Color" and "x.v.Color (xvYCC)" defined by HDMI ver1.3a are
supported.
About Sony Computer Entertainment America
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) and PS one(R) game console, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system, the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system and its online and network services the PLAYSTATION(R)Network and PLAYSTATION(R)Store.
Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PLAYSTATION 3 and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com/
“PlayStation”, “PLAYSTATION”, “PSP”, “PS one” and the “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks and “PS3″ and “SIXAXIS” are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Spider-Man 3, the movie(C) 2006 Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. All rights reserved.
Spider-Man Character (R) & (C) 2006 Marvel Characters, Inc. All rights reserved.
Source: Sony Computer Entertainment America
CONTACT: Patrick Seybold, +1-650-655-7549,
patrick_seybold@playstation.sony.com, or Kimberly Otzman, +1-650-655-7524,
kimberly_otzman@playstation.sony.com, both of Sony Computer Entertainment
America
Web site: http://www.playstation.com/
http://www.us.playstation.com/
