@raugutcon: the price sony/MS would pay for a 500GB HDD would be lower than what you would be able to buy it for. it would cost you more to buy the HDD separately. not everyone has a spare HDD lying around. fewer again would know how to install and wouldnt have the inclination to learn.
the console also has to work out of the box. you cant release a console that wont work without an accessory thats not included in the box. thats like selling a console without a controller (which is a bad idea...mostly).
as for the topic: no. too expensive. when something is mass produced every little thing has to be factored. having a very small SSD (say 120GB) for caching could be an option but even if that only adds 10 bucks to the BOM...thats 10 bucks X millions of consoles. that mounts up and 120GB wont get you far. the best you could hope for is using a 7200RPM SSHD and even then.....pushing it.
the TC does raise an interesting point though: they have to do something about loading times, installs and data management. its getting silly. i mean installs simply shouldnt exist on any console (unless its purchased online of course). they should still be striving to just having the user put the disc in and get on with playing the game quickly. the reality is that games next gen will probably be going over the 100GB mark on a regular basis and thats going to but a strain on even a good HDD for loading times.
Log in to comment