Sony announces 40GB PS3, 80GB $100 price cut for NA

  • By Tor Thorsen, Emma Boyes, GameSpot UK
  • Posted Oct 18, 2007 5:34 am PT

Long-rumored $399 Spider-Man 3 Blu-ray bundle coming November 2; bigger brother $499 effective immediately.

Although the new 40GB PlayStation 3 SKU has been announced for Europe, Japan, and Australia, Sony had steadfastly refused to comment on whether North Americans would also be getting the new model.

So it was to the surprise of virtually nobody when today, Sony Computer Entertainment America announced it is also releasing the 40GB PS3 in North America. As previously rumored, the console will cost $399, be released on November 2, and come bundled with a Blu-ray disc of Sony Pictures' blockbuster film Spider-Man 3 (not the game of the same name).

Though the 40GB console won't have any memory-card readers and sports only two USB 2.0 ports, it will have built-in IEEE 802.11 b/g wireless networking capability. Like its counterparts elsewhere in the world, though, it will not have software-based backwards compatibility with PlayStation 2 games. Full specifications of the new console are listed below.

For those who either don't want the stripped-down 40GB PS3 or simply can't wait until November 2, SCEA also announced it is cutting the price of its 80GB model to just $499 in the US. (The 80GB console is not currently available in Europe.) Though the PS3 remains the most expensive game console on the market, today's announcement puts both models within reach of the $349 Xbox 360 Pro and the $449 Xbox 360 Elite.

That said, the PS3's inclusion of a Blu-ray disc drive may give it an edge to North American audio-visual fanatics still on the next-gen console fence. No 360 can play HD-DVDs without the addition of an external $179 HD-DVD player, which would make the Pro model cost $528 and the Elite cost $628 in the US for comparable functionality. Also, the 40GB PS3 is now the most affordable BD player on the market, with the cheapest standalone BD players still costing more than $400. Also, all PS3s have HDMI audio-video outputs, a feature that is standard only on the 360 Elite, though it is being slowly phased into other models.

PLAYSTATION 3 40GB Specification

Console
CPU Cell Broadband Engine (Cell/B.E.)
GPU RSX

Sound
Dolby 5.1ch, DTS 5.1ch , LPCM 7.1ch, AAC

Memory
256MB XDR Main RAM, 256MB GDDR3 VRAM
HDD 2.5" Serial ATA40GB
I/O USB 2.0x2

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
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.

1117 Comments

  • percuvius2

    Posted Jan 9, 2008 8:25 am PT

    Now that HD-DVD is officially dead I can buy my HD player. I guess I'll pick Bru Ray. Now I can buy a Bru-Ray player stand alone for $449 or a PS3 for $399 that comes with Spiderman 3.

    I think I'll get the PS3 instead of the stand alone because it's cheaper and comes with a great movie. As for actual gaming, well that's what my Xbox 360 is for. The 360 has the wide selection of GAMES, the PS3 has a wide selection of HD MOVIES now that Warner Brothers is on board and Paramount and the others to follow. Too bad MS didn't release a red/blue laser drive for the 360 that could play both formats for $250 and save me some money.

  • metalisticpain

    Posted Nov 8, 2007 3:43 pm PT

    what number sku is this btw? 5th?

  • atticuzz

    Posted Oct 30, 2007 9:05 am PT

    friday friday ima buy me a what. can't help it, m so giddy. lol

  • kTvTv3

    Posted Oct 29, 2007 8:06 pm PT

    I don't understand. Some of you are saying that they are promoting blu-ray so much in the movie format war. But has a lightbulb ever went off in your heads that the games being made on the ps3 are also in blu-ray format. So blu-ray isn't a MOVIE player, it's a format, jeesh.

  • d3vilg0d

    Posted Oct 29, 2007 10:00 am PT

    I had a ps2 at launch cos it was cheaper that a dvd player then.

    games came out 1.5 years later.Developers were complaining it was difficult to pogramme for.xmas 2001 saw titles like gta 3,jak and daxter and final fantasy x to name a few.5 years later we seeing god of war 2 running 480p,true widescreen with pro-logic 2 on a 42" LCD Display(i didn't even know bout lcd wen i bought my ps2).

    just give it a chance

  • cloudstrife75

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 6:27 pm PT

    No backwards compatibility? its software... chips one thing... but those have been discontinued.

    it costs nothing to install the software. just put it in...

  • playstation_wii

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 1:21 pm PT

    Wifi is good.

  • toolazyk

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 11:26 am PT

    No backwards compatability w/ PS2 games??!!?? ARRRRGGGH!

  • Astral_Vapor

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 8:37 am PT

    price cut or not. will sony put games on this damn system or not? until them i'm not buyinga BR player.

  • Sikzak

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 8:18 am PT

    This still doesn't make me want to buy one.... unless all DVD sales suddenly stopped I would.

  • sparkypants

    Posted Oct 26, 2007 7:24 pm PT

    ...this is a hard choice I could save a 100$ a get the 40gig but loose BC or I could could push for the 60g I dunno...are they keeping the 60g?

  • -E-

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 9:42 am PT

    A cheap Blu Ray player that also plays games!? I'm buying one for Christmas.

  • jbahari

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 9:15 am PT

    I hate to say it but Im just waiting until MGS4 is out. Thats all Im waiting for.
    There will be some good PS3 exclusives coming out. Ill just bide my time.....

  • Hawk456

    Posted Oct 23, 2007 7:18 pm PT

    I couldn't care less about blue-ray... but no backwards compatability is a deal-killer. Better luck next time.

  • Mr_duong

    Posted Oct 23, 2007 6:16 pm PT

    good news, now why do people have to see this as bad news saying yeah , sony sucks or whatever

    hmm wondering if many 360 owners have the hddvd add on (i dont simply because of no movies)

  • MadGamer132

    Posted Oct 23, 2007 2:31 pm PT

    you know what,i still getting a ps3 (80gb, at least still)

  • baltimore187

    Posted Oct 23, 2007 12:49 pm PT

    You know what....I'm gonna get a ps3....one day...when i see some games that are not on the 360...and when it show me games that looks light years better than what i'm playing my 360. For me it's all about the games, not who has what movie medium. Nintendo wii is for when you want to release that inner child in you and feel giggly farts when you play it. For that, THX NINTENDO. Xbox 360 where serious gamming takes you all over the world. Its where you feel like a MAN. With so many AAA games to chose from where can you go wrong, THX MICROSOFT. Ps3...on paper there's so much to look foward to but in reality, there's nothing to look foward to but blue ray movies. One thing I can say that Sony is doing well is promoting the HELL out of the Ps3 into being a cheap blu ray dvd player. Well, I take that back, there are a few games to look forward to but most of them will end up on the 360 eventually. No matter how many times I here 360 cant do what ps3 can do, games that started on ps3 end up looking better on 360 (virtua fighter). Sony needs more original games and not just choppy ports of 360 games ya dig. So for right now, NO THX SONY.

  • markevens

    Posted Oct 23, 2007 11:50 am PT

    M$ is still going to get a lot of business with their stripped down arcade version. I don't understand why people would gimp themselves by buying a unit without a hard drive or a HDDVD player. I'm still suprized that M$ didn't include the HD-DVD player in the original package. History has shown that consoles requiring add-ons to play certain games has been a death knell, but somehow M$ is getting away with it. You can thank Sony's many blunders for M$ getting away with this.

  • darkride66

    Posted Oct 23, 2007 10:34 am PT

    Looks like things are picking up. Oct sales seem to be leaning towards a 360/PS3 tie. As is the PS3 has been selling exactly how the 360 sold after it's launch, and no one claims the 360 has been a failure. That just puts things into perspective a bit.

  • atticuzz

    Posted Oct 23, 2007 8:59 am PT

    uh-oh..my paycheck falls on nov.2- IT'S A SIGN!!!!! LoL

  • PMatt722

    Posted Oct 23, 2007 5:09 am PT

    who in their right mind mind would buy this one....cool first post

  • Stepn2myworld

    Posted Oct 23, 2007 1:34 am PT

    Sony can keep their blu-ray player/video game console for now. Good luck in the blu-ray vs HD DVD format war!

  • mjax211

    Posted Oct 22, 2007 7:16 pm PT

    This console war is getting really tiring. I'd like to buy a console already, but every time I think I decide, MS or Sony busts another move. This would be the last straw and I would buy a ps3 but I don't see any games that I MUST have. I would have bought an elite already but I hear rumors about an hd dvd playing 360 in the works. its killing me. My wii is sweet and eveything, but I want to move on.

  • MangoLlamas

    Posted Oct 22, 2007 4:47 pm PT

    aw man i wanna play ps2 games on it...

  • kos1085

    Posted Oct 22, 2007 12:44 pm PT

    I am like Bomberman65 and diminiansk8er. I am not into to whole console war. Buy and play with system you want and stop going on and on about the consoles like you have stock in the companies. I own all three and like all three of them. Each one has its good and bad. PS3=Not a big collection of game; Games keep getting delayed; BIg processor with small fan=overheat in hot rooms
    360= Too many games, cant finish one before another comes out; Red ring of death in older models; Was screwed when premium came out.
    Wii= Some times your movement get confused by the sensor which can make to lose; Lack of mature games; After you have the original color, the color you really want comes out; Can be deadly when playing with other people.

    At least for me owning all three makes up for the disappointment in another.

  • johndoh4

    Posted Oct 22, 2007 11:51 am PT

    I'm tired of them pushing Blue-Ray so much. I just want an affordable console to play video games on. If I want to watch movies, I'll use a stand alone player.

  • Standard_222

    Posted Oct 22, 2007 11:01 am PT

    I'm confused on what happened to Sony. The reason they were so successful in the past, was they had games. People buy game systems for games. Isn't that the point? I really think that Sony should come to their senses, stop trying to change the hardware, and focus on pushing some decent games. When there are games to play, people will buy the system.

  • Riverwolf007

    Posted Oct 22, 2007 9:18 am PT

    With game sales as poor as they have been I won't be suprised when a firmware update removes BC from the 20, 60 and 80 gig models also. I'm almost scared to have my PS3 hooked up th the internet but what can I do the only game I own now is warhawk.

  • DukeIgthorn

    Posted Oct 22, 2007 6:35 am PT

    Sounds like Sony is really trying to push blu-ray before the holiday season and achieve some serious market penetration. I'm sure that they would much rather have their cake and eat it too and have the PS3 do really well on it's own merit, but they have much more at stake and much less competition with the hi-def video playback market.

  • brandon_alli

    Posted Oct 22, 2007 5:54 am PT

    Hmm, no backwards compatibility on the 40G. That's a little lame, actually. I guess I'll stick with the 360 and my old PS2 (for those urges to return to the past). There's no reason for me to get a PS3 until they actually come out with some decent games . . . since there's NOTHING I want to play from the Sony lineup as of late. I don't even think MGS could bring me to buy one until a few more great games come out to go along with it.

  • speedylomeli posted Oct 22, 2007 12:34 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    speedylomeli

    Posted Oct 22, 2007 12:34 am PT (hide)

    The PS3 will dominate.

  • Bomberman65

    Posted Oct 21, 2007 10:02 pm PT

    I agree with diminiansk8er get the console you want the most and who cares about the console wars. If you like Halo better get a 360 if you like MGS better get a PS3. I'll be content with my PS3 when I get it. I don't see the need to get stressed over something as small as this. True gaming is our passion but still there's suposted to be fun somewhere in this. I'm not into the whole console war. I really don't care what one is better aslong as it plays the games I want. But this is just me. I'm strange I know.

  • kratos_karmakar

    Posted Oct 21, 2007 9:41 pm PT

    the cell broad band engine for ps3 has 8 cores. the 360 has 3 cores. each of those 8 cores hav their own individual rams for further enhanced operation regardless of the 256 XDR main ram. nor mentioning that the engineering on the RSX on the ps3 is far more superior than the 360 gpu do u know wat happens when individual cores handle their graphic tasks on an individual level? the efficiency of the gpu increases dramatically reducing load of processing textures and such on a very grand scale. there is a taste of superior engineering for u. regardless of that i can guarantee my ps3 wont crash in the next 10 years.lol. games? u want games? 2008 ps3 has the most anticipated xclusives lined up not to mention the already good titles that are out . i can really go on and on but really i wont waste another letter.

  • atticuzz

    Posted Oct 21, 2007 6:53 pm PT

    hmm, now that i think about it..maybe i should get the 80gb instead of 40gb.... brainfreeze. ^_^

  • Shingko

    Posted Oct 21, 2007 4:25 pm PT

    no backwards compatibility? how the hell am i gonna play resident evil 4

  • mikewalsh69

    Posted Oct 21, 2007 3:22 pm PT

    did sony really get rid of bc? maybe. but maybe they will have developed an update that can play ps2 games. it is possible. that could be the reason. but i'm only guessing.

  • atticuzz

    Posted Oct 21, 2007 2:56 pm PT

    ok..i have a 360, and i have enjoyed the hi-def graphics with the games and movie playback. now, the main reason why i want a ps3- the BD/HD capability and FF13 and versus 13 is gonna be on it. what do i need 60 or 80gb for? or 2 more usb ports? or BC? or a memory card reader? even extra vents?? even if you have all the money in the world, at least use some sense on how you spend it. get your priorities straight, that's all. no point trying to diss another console type/version.

  • HXCDEW

    Posted Oct 21, 2007 2:46 pm PT

    I think Sony should bundle a game with the 40GB model instead of movie, but still it's a great deal for people who have been waiting for a low pricepoint. The release of Ratchet, Uncharted, UT3, Haze, etc will give the system a huge sales boost next month.

  • Spyder25000

    Posted Oct 21, 2007 2:26 pm PT

    Let me asj you this question... Why isnt any one on about the Family consol the "Wii". Ever since building my own computer i have dropped from being a ps3 fan boy and started to enjoy the better graphics on my Pc

    Okay i qutoe from some where
    Xbox 360 - today
    Ps3 - tommorow

    THe winner will be the wii, nintendo has build a great consol for the whiole family, and its for more than 1 player

    The ps3 will be 2nd and the wii will be 1st

    The betterr machine is the PC

  • diminiansk8er

    Posted Oct 21, 2007 12:02 pm PT

    Hey posters, lurk before you speak. Ninja Gaiden and devil may cry 4 are also on 360. I own a 360 yet im content with my purchase, I love metal gear but I have no intentions of buying a PS3, how about instead of console wars, you just buy the console you think will last you until the next generation, or if you have the money, buy all of them if that makes you happy. No need for fighting over consoles, its not improving your life at all :-)

  • oogieboogiemanj

    Posted Oct 21, 2007 11:53 am PT

    @UnholySaviour:

    Wow. By your reason, I should blame Jaguar, or Ferrari for making thier stuff too expensive for me to afford? And then write them off completely?

    Just wait right there, i'll have the WAAAHHHHHHambulance out for ya shortly.

    gg

  • zellwwf

    Posted Oct 21, 2007 10:46 am PT

    Ok... I read alot of these comments to say the following... And Mr (MatrixMan2k) I own the Xbox and the PS3, and A 8800 GTX Computer (which i built!)... but i have no license to kill!
    To hear the truth, i am really an PS3 Fanboy, but THE XBOX ROCKS !!!! Come on guys... let's be realistic about a couple of thing :
    1- the xbox 360 is awesome (till now) because it's developer friendly! But it is awesome! I noticed it as i played through DOA 4! it's like you've set the anti-aliasing to full x16!! It ROCKS! 2- but on the other hand guys... wait for the DAM* developers (no offence) to create a game that uses the PS3's Full CAPABILITIES! since it's much much stronger that all other consoles. I am guessing the gaming on PS3 will start when METAL GEAR SOLID 4 Arrives!!
    means in 2008!! That's the truth! You can check out both of the consoles specs in my latest blog post!

  • mrusche

    Posted Oct 21, 2007 8:15 am PT

    Well lets see, how many front usb ports does the 360 have? how many compact flash/memory stick/sd card ports does the 360 have? and oh, how much extra does it cost to get the wireless networking or hd-dvd on the 360. I would say that a xbox 360 comparable to the new version of the ps3 is going for about $725 with all the addons?

  • hassam7

    Posted Oct 21, 2007 7:17 am PT

    ps3 games: Ninja Gaiden,killzone 2,resisstance,warhawk,heavenly sword,teken 5,devil may cry 4,mgs guns of the patriots,rachet and clank,little big planet and also so many other games which r on the 360 and wii also. Less games?,I don't think so 360 fanboys!

  • QualityJeverage

    Posted Oct 21, 2007 7:15 am PT

    It's always great to have a cheaper console, but you know something's very wrong when you remove Backwards Compatibility, Memory Card Readers, and less USB ports, and you're STILL more expensive than the Xbox 360.

  • Mommas_b_o_y

    Posted Oct 21, 2007 2:32 am PT

    I'm not a ps3 fanboy. I just said that the 360 felt cheap and it does. Anyone who has both and thinks the 360 is better quality can say something; otherwise you have nothing to base your opinion. But, I do like the vibration in the xbox controllers and ps3 doesn't have that yet. Blaze is right. The 360 if you get hd-dvd player add-on is more expensive. If you just want to play games though and don't mind the problems with the 360 overheating or (in my case the power cord is screwing up) buy the 360. If halo was on ps3, I would sell my 360 in a second. Quit complaining about the freaking bc just do a firmware update and your good to go. Now most of the games they make for the ps3 and 360 with a few exceptions. I guess thats what it all comes down to. Find out what games your looking foward to and if their only on one system get that. If you think you made a mistake about buying your system sell it and buy a different one. Which reminds me, I still have some wii controllers I need to sell. Remember never trust a bunny.

  • caflash

    Posted Oct 21, 2007 2:11 am PT

    LuminosityBlaze, I got my 360 at launch, and it's running fine still. I went through three - yes, 3 - PS3's in one week. so that argument is simply uneducated. both had issues at launch, just as all new technology does.

    That said, the 80gb is a pretty decent value, all other things aside, and the price drop is a good idea. Even without any really good games, it's a great deal on a blu-ray player.

    However, the stripping of BC on the lower end model, and the fact that there are now 4 different models out there (they discontinued the 20 and 60gb versions, but you can still find them in stores - especially the 60gb) just show how disconnected Sony is with the market. There is no reason to get the 40gb model at all, and the 80gb is only a good value if you're looking for a blu-ray player.

  • LuminosityBlaze

    Posted Oct 21, 2007 1:36 am PT

    The 360 is so weak , and the MOST expensive system overall, especially since everyone has to buy 3 of them, and now again when the HD-DVD version comes out... I think Sony cut out B.C. in the 40 GB as a joke or something. People always complain about price and always want to go the generic route, but then also complain when a "stripped" version of a console comes out too. I think its payback for a lot of consumers being cheap and falling into the cheap trap, so they will be cheap to since thats what everyone wants, because there is absolutely no other reason why they can't do it, I can't imagine it drives costs up that much. Just get the 80gb people. Believe me, you will max out the 40GB faster than you think and have a generic PS3 on top of it.

  • fspilot66

    Posted Oct 20, 2007 11:28 pm PT

    the developers are not using the full strengh of blu ray to to the cost to make,if they used full capacity of blu ray,it would look better

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