20GB PS3 Discontinued

[Nightz]

Straight from Sony: The 20GB PS3 will no longer be offered to retailers for sale in North America. The decision was made based on consumer and retail demand favoring "the 60GB model 10 to 1."

Dave Karraker of Sony America states, "At launch, we offered two separate models of PlayStation 3 to meet the diverse needs and interests of our PlayStation fan base. Initial retail demand in North America was upwards of ninety percent in favor of the 60GB SKU, so we manufactured and shipped-in accordingly. Due to the overwhelming demand for the 60GB model from both retailers and consumers, we have ceased offering the 20GB model here in North America. In addition to the larger internal hard drive, the 60GB PlayStation 3 features added storage media slots and built-in Wi-Fi not found in the 20GB system. Based on retailer and consumer feedback, we have decided to focus our current efforts on the more popular 60GB model."

This follows mounting evidence that the 20GB was on its way out the door at Best Buy and even the Sony Style store. And so we say goodbye to the PlayStation 3's 20GB model. Goodnight sweet Prince, we hardly knew ye.

R.I.P. PlayStation 3 20GB

Nov. 17, 2006 -- April 11, 2007

source: Joystiq

[User6060]

If you had enough money to afford the 20GB you had enough money to afford the 60GB.

[bdsams Veteran]

no crap it sold 10 - 1, they harldy made any of the 20 gigs available here in the US

[Brandon Live Veteran]

If you had enough money to afford the 20GB you had enough money to afford the 60GB.

Uhh... not really. Heck, I can easily afford either but why would I want to pay for WiFi when I'm not going to use it? I'm not planning to buy one any time soon, but they'd have a much better chance of me buying one on an impulse at $500 than at $600.

[Groovedude]

If you had enough money to afford the 20GB you had enough money to afford the 60GB.

that is a very good point. ! :)

[Tech Star]

Great. With this money they are going to save they can lower the price for the 60GB.

[Digitalx]

They only need one console the 60GB SKU does it all we need with enough space and the upgrade ability.

Rather then going which console with X and Y and Z add-ons and other features for A B or C cost. imo its better to just go yeah just want that console which has it all for one off cost.

Plus prices will probably drop soon enough more then they already are now this is done.

[entropyx]

Not surprising. 60 gig is superior in every way.

[MadFerIt]

They only need one console the 60GB SKU does it all we need with enough space and the upgrade ability.

Rather then going which console with X and Y and Z add-ons and other features for A B or C cost. imo its better to just go yeah just want that console which has it all for one off cost.

Plus prices will probably drop soon enough more then they already are now this is done.

There is a big issue with your view. The people who want all that, the wireless/high definition movies/more space/etc are going to benefit from a lower "total cost" then they would fork out paying if they had to buy addons instead.

But again, people who don't want or will ever use most of those features should not be forced to fork that kind of money for the product. They should be able to spend less money on a sku that offers what they want/need, not extra garbage.

And this announcement is a little confusing.. The 20GB sold 1 to 10 because Sony only produced a small number of them, and they probably planned on killing it after the initial launch anyway.

Don't get me wrong btw. I don't think either the 360 or the PS3 has gotten it right. The 360 gives you less "extra" features, but then charges you an insane amount of money if you want to purchase them (case in point, the 120GB hard drive for current 360 owners.. $210 CAD! Insane!). The PS3 shoves a bunch of features down your throat and wallet even if you don't need/want them.

So to boil it all down.. Both companies are shafting a certain % of their customers. I think any non-fanboy sees that lol.

Edited April 11, 2007 by MadFerIt2006

[Nightz]

wishful thinking, but maybe this will lead to the 60GB being dropped down to $500 while the rumored 80GB system will come out at $600.

[PL_ Veteran]

1 down, 1 to go :p

[MadFerIt]

wishful thinking, but maybe this will lead to the 60GB being dropped down to $500 while the rumored 80GB system will come out at $600.

One can hope. I think it'll be necessary for Sony to drop the price this fall, because I have a feeling the 360 will be getting a pricecut.

[soniqstylz]

wishful thinking, but maybe this will lead to the 60GB being dropped down to $500 while the rumored 80GB system will come out at $600.

**** the 80 GB, bring the 250.

[Guest]

Sony are losing enough with the 60GB version. They are not going to just suddenly drop the price by 100 bucks. They cant afford that.

[soniqstylz]

Sony are losing enough with the 60GB version. They are not going to just suddenly drop the price by 100 bucks. They cant afford that.

I bet they do by the end of summer.

The blu-diode and Blu-Ray component is the part that will drop the fastest, with the Cell production probably dropping second fastest.

[MGS4-SS]

Sony are losing enough with the 60GB version. They are not going to just suddenly drop the price by 100 bucks. They cant afford that.

After May 4, Sony can kill babies for all they care, they will have enough money to defend themselves.

[+vlsi0n Subscriber¹]

1 down, 1 to go :p

:whistle: :yes:

Did anyone even care about the 20GB version..?

[MadFerIt]

:whistle: :yes:

Did anyone even care about the 20GB version..?

I did. It was perfect for me. I don't need wireless internet (my tv and consoles are in the same bloody room as my router), and I don't to spend $100 more for a 60GB. One of the benefits of the PS3 is the ability to use your own 2.5" HDD, so why the heck would I pay $100 more when I could use that cash towards a 120GB or something.

The price in Canada was $559.99 CAD, only $60 more then a 360 (although it's been $50-100 lower in many sales). Now there's only the 60GB, and the price in Canada has gone from $659.99 to $699.99.. So yeah, hell no.

Edited April 12, 2007 by MadFerIt2006

[MadFerIt]

After May 4, Sony can kill babies for all they care, they will have enough money to defend themselves.

You do realize Sony is a company right? That means just because they make a ton of cash with the Sony Pictures department, that doesn't necessarily mean it will trickle into the Sony Computer Entertainment as well.

And just because a company is making a ton of cash in another department doesn't equal them price cutting, or not worrying about the profitability of the SCE division. Don't get me wrong, I would love it if that was the way these console manufacturers really were.

If that was the reality, then Microsoft could price the 360 at $100 or something, because they make such an insane amount of cash via Windows/Office/etc (and now with Vista becoming a huge hit) even if they took that massive a loss on the 360 they'd still be making billions in profit.

I have many socialist views, so I'm not defending the nature of business or anything, but I'm not denying the reality either lol.

*Oh and to be a little off-topic.. I can't bloody wait till Spiderman 3! :D.

[Digitalx]

i think rather then argueing over whether the 20GB was more worth it cause it had feature you don't need. americans/canadians now have to be in same shoes as PAL owners - we never had a choice so we're happy with 60GB because it has all the stuff whether or not you use it it's there ready on the chance you do get say WiFi or HDTV etc. i'm happy with 60GB i only use wired connection and standard composite cables on a CRT tv.

[American Ninja]

Good move by Sony :) PS3 price drop confirmed! :D

[MadFerIt]

i think rather then argueing over whether the 20GB was more worth it cause it had feature you don't need. americans/canadians now have to be in same shoes as PAL owners - we never had a choice so we're happy with 60GB because it has all the stuff whether or not you use it it's there ready on the chance you do get say WiFi or HDTV etc. i'm happy with 60GB i only use wired connection and standard composite cables on a CRT tv.

Huh? That made very little sense. First off, I have a wireless router (a powerful one in fact), not to mention I also have an HDTV. But my 360/Wii are in the same room as my router/computer, and if the Wii had come with an Ethernet port I would be using that instead of wireless (but for the Wii you have to pay money to get a usb ethernet, so heck no).

And here's another issue with your statements.. How are people with an HDTV "ready" if they purchase the 60GB PS3? It comes with composite cables, not component or HDMI.. So again you aren't making any sense. And what the heck is different about the 20GB? It still has the same ports (including HDMI), and it still comes with composite cables, and of course it still has Blue-Ray.. There isn't a single thing you get with the 60GB that provides any benefits to HDTV owners.

So you also say you only use wired ethernet and composite cables.. It sounds like you would have been far better off picking up the 20GB PS3, because it's tailored to your needs.

[John Veteran]

I bet they do by the end of summer.

The blu-diode and Blu-Ray component is the part that will drop the fastest, with the Cell production probably dropping second fastest.

I bet they don't drop the price by the end of summer. With their costs the way they are, and the amount of debt they're in with this product, Sony needs to start making a profit NOW or they will be in serious financial trouble. They'll enjoy their depreciating costs and continue with the same price scheme, just as Microsoft has with the 360. Price wars won't start until the market starts getting frustrated with the initial prices, OR one of the two (Sony/Microsoft) is in a strong enough position to pressure the other.

[Gavin001]

I think they will do a price drop before or just after Xmas!