PS3 Drops Price, Adds SKU
In the first blow of E3 positioning, the boys at Sony decided to do the strangest price drop in history I believe. Yes, the 60 gig PlayStation 3 console is now $499 but they turned around and introduced a new SKU for $599 that included an 80 gig hard drive along with a copy of Motorstorm. The new 80 gig model will be available in August for North America while the $499 price goes into effect immediately for the 60 gig model. What’s going on with companies and these different versions of their consoles?
And why only an 80 gig hard drive when the Xbox 360 Elite carries a 120 gig hard drive? If people were hoping for an Xbox 360 price adjustment, I think all hope is gone at least for now and especially during E3 this week. The one thing I hope is done sooner rather than later is the dropping of the Xbox 360 Core console. The Pro and Elite should be the only options for an Xbox 360.
I know some of you will argue value but was there really a need to keep a $599 SKU? I don’t think so. Nintendo has to be enjoying all of this. What say you? Are you more tempted to buy a PlayStation 3 now?
July 9th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
Right now, the Xbox 360 has good leverage to make the same drops that have been brought up in this thread — and it would be a swift kick in the ass for Sony.
At the same time, though, Aero’s point of profitability shouldn’t be overlooked. I think the 360 will drop in price now, so they can slip in the Falcon hardware unnoticed. Let’s not forget that the 360 has been at it’s current price since 2005. They can’t sit idly by while a system that dropped less than a year ago comes within their safe range.
The price will drop, and it will drop soon. They don’t have a choice, as people who see the PlayStation brand as gaming could get very interested with this price drop.
All in all, I think both companies dropping prices help everyone in the equation. Gamers get hardware cheaper and companies get their hardware to a larger audience.
Everyone benefits :).
July 9th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
We can see a price drop later this year on the units and after they start using the cooler 65-nanometer processors. Plus improved cooler 360’s being produced as a result.
http://txpaladin.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!6CD9E1BE453FFFA8!174.entry
I don’t think Microsoft will do this based on Sony, they’ll do it when they want to and start saving money on production. Sony’s doing this to increase sales, but they also will start using the 65 nanometer chips too.
July 9th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
I’ll never turn to the Darkside! No matter how many times they drop the price >:(
July 9th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
The 60gb version of the PS3 is now the exact same price as the Elite in Canada. If Sony plans on releasing some good content, you’d better hope Microsoft can secure the licensing for Video Marketplace in Canada. Otherwise, this could affect sales.
I’ll make my final decision after the E3 release schedule. There’s no telling what games are exclusive as of now.
July 9th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
Why drop the Core Console???
You can still play online witha core and a 56 MB MU….I know that is what I did in the past when I was GOLD.
“to be honest the best aspect on the xbox is its online feature (xbl). the playstion 3 is still too expensive for me, especially with the lack of good.”
July 9th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Microsoft could slit Sony’s throat right now in this console war, but I don’t see them doing it.
July 10th, 2007 at 7:02 am
Until some the anticipated signature games are released for the PS3 (Gran Turismo, MGS, Devil May Cry 4, etc) it ain’t happening for me. I’m having too much fun with my Crack (Down) & Gears.
Especially without a concrete online gaming experience (like XBL), it’s gonna take more than waving an extra Bengie in my face to pony up.
Sorry Sony, but P-Diddy was wrong - It’s not always about the Benjamins.
July 10th, 2007 at 7:50 am
Well, based on some interent conjecture by some analysts out there MS will be announcing a price drop for all models during their conference tonight. $50 drop for the core and premium and the Elite will be pushed to $399.99 the original price of the premium. If true, this is the death nail for Sony in my mind especially considering they have no content to make their console look attractive right now.