Buying a PS3? Wait until September
Posted by 
July 17, 2008 •
The all new 80 GB PS3 “Core Pack” (SRP $400) will go main stream and replace the current 40 GB model in the market by September this year. Jack Tretton announced on Sony’s press Conference at this year’s E3 adding the words “the same functionality of the 40 GB… with twice the storage” that should make people think twice about getting a PS3 unit any time soon.
Here’s a quick excerpt:
Sony Computer Entertainment America Announces New 80GB PLAYSTATION(R)3, Limited Edition PlayStation(R)2 Bundle, and PlayStation(R)Portable Entertainment Pack at E3 2008
Starting in September 2008, the newly announced PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) 80GB model will become the mainstay of the company’s hardware line-up. The 80GB model will retail for $399, and will offer all of the features and functionality of the 40GB model with double the storage to accommodate more movies, graphics, music, photos and other entertainment content — all for the same price. As with its predecessor, the new 80GB model will be a complete entertainment system comprising of a Blu-ray(TM) player, HDMI output, an integrated Wi-Fi connection, Cell Broadband Engine(TM) and a built-in 80GB hard-disk drive. The multi-functionality of the 80GB PS3, combined with more than 140 exclusive and third-party titles and the PLAYSTATION(R)Network, is a comprehensive entertainment value designed to appeal to a wide range of consumers from hard-core gamers to general entertainment enthusiasts.
[read full announcement via kotaku]
Since it’s exactly the same unit as the 40GB (except for the swapped drive), you still won’t have backwards compatibility to PS2 games as with the now defunct model (the very old 60 GB PS3). Holding out your purchase until September however will give you a PS3 unit with double the storage capacity. If you don’t want to risk voiding your unit’s warranty by opening the unit and swapping a bigger drive, I suggest you wait.
SCEA has also launched it’s new PLAYSTATION(R)Network Video Delivery Service. The new service offers movies and TV shows for purchase and rental for both the PS3 and PSP. As of current tally, there’s nearly 300 full length movies and more than 1,200 TV episodes. Now if the PSP would only support DiVX XD
Now, some news for PSP users, a new limited edition package is up for grabs.
Following the success of five PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) Entertainment Packs, SCEA announced the Ratchet and Clank(R) Size Matters PSP Entertainment Pack, a new bundle showcasing PSP’s multi-functional feature set, targeted for holiday gift-giving. Launching in October 2008 for $199.99 MSRP, the bundle will include a limited-edition “Silver” PSP system with the highly acclaimed game, Ratchet and Clank(R) Size Matters; a blockbuster movie on UMD(R) (Universal Media Disc); a PLAYSTATION(R)Network voucher to download the innovative puzzle game, echochrome(TM) from PLAYSTATION(R)Store: and a 1GB Memory Stick PRO Duo(TM) for storing music, videos, photos and more
Put Dark Knight or Wanted on the UMD and you’ve got yourself a buyer here Sony.
This year’s E3 brings the biggest news in gaming. I simply wish I could be there but.. XD
If you’re still playing Crisis Core, you may want to check out my Crisis core materia fusion Guide
Tags: 40 GB, Limited Edition PSP, PS3
Hot dog! It’s news like these that make me happy I waited and still didn’t get a PS3 for myself. Haha.
By the way, na set up ko na yung mini EB sa blog ko Sylv. Sure ka naman na makakapunta right? I’m gonna put you in the confirmed list. Hehe.
Well i’m not sure if I’m going to invest in a PS3 myself. Without backwards compatibility to the PS2 I’ll be stuck with a select few games. That plus FF13 is coming to the Xbox 360 as well.
Our Wii is keeping us (me and my family) more than satisfied however so I guess I’ll be getting a new PC before I get a PS3 or a 360.
sure not a prob. Basta weekend no prob.
@sylv3rblade – pumunta ka ba sylv3rblade? waaaaaaaa!
Jehzeel Laurentes last blog post..Bloggers? Baguio Food Trip
inde eh… Di ko sila nakita haha
nonexistent Gerry’s Grill + no contact with other peeps kaya poof.
Nagvideoke ako magisa sa Time Zone haha
just get the 80 GB one with backwards compatibility, it’s a bit more expensive but not that expensive. We got that one and play God of War on it. you’re no longer stuck to just playing ps3 games. as for the wii, the wii is fun, but the ps3 is worth it if you love ps2 games. unfortunately, we haven’t played the ps3 in 2 weeks, my kid has overtaken the TV and the Wii.
issais last blog post..How long will it take again?
hmmm we’re in the same dilemma… we’re addicted to our Wii XD
Also, wasn’t the 80 GB w/ that feature discontinued quite a while ago?
nope, it’s still being sold in the sony stores. we just got ours a month ago. i think when they meant discontinue was that they would upgrade the HD to 120GB or 160GB. i hope they still keep it backwards compatible. i remember an article saying that they wanted to remove the backwards compatibility because nobody wants to buy ps3 games since they have the ps2 games.
issais last blog post..How long will it take again?
interesting.. but the PS3 is 3rd on my to buy list and I’m crossing my fingers so that the unit I’ll be buying next year will still have backwards compatibility.
Darn Nvidia for releasing the drool-material 9500GT and ruining my schedule XD.
Thanks for the info. Now if only Adsense can help me make my purchases sooner XD
oooh, i’m wrong, you’re right, they did phase out the ps3 that is backwards compatible with ps2 on the hardware level to make the price lower. now they have the ps3 that is backwards compatible on the software level in other words, a ps2 emulator. they MIGHT phase this out too. there’s a lot of rumors out there.
go adsense go!
issais last blog post..How long will it take again?
Ah there goes my hope…
Oh well. I just hope our current PS2 doesn’t die anytime soon… then again.. it’s back to the Wii XD
anywayz, is the ps3 popular in the philippines? i haven’t seen any pinoy blog about the ps3. to be honest, there’s only a few games that i’m interested in the ps3. the reason we bought it was for rock band and to have a blu-ray player. as for using it for hardcore gaming, there’s just not much games out there. we have metal gear solid 4, but i don’t seem to bond with war games. gta4 is too scary and violent for me. there’s just not much options. and as for the ps2, it will around, at least for the next 2 years probably.
issais last blog post..How long will it take again?
atm only diehard fans of serieses already on the PS3 have out since it’s a pricepoint that’s very expensive so only people who can’t wait to play MGS4 and similar have bought the console, but it’s certainly not mainstream. For the same price, you can get 2 decent enough PCs na eh.
I put the blame on DOTA for dumbing down PC gaming (lol.. I’m hiddenly vexed with the map) and simplefying gaming to the point of point and click and holler. Then there’s the current gen divide… 360, PS3 or Wii (I’m sorta biased for the Wii though XD)
On another standpoint, I guess it’s the lack of “sellable” games as you’ve mentioned. Early adopters got what they wanted when they bought the PS3 version w/ backwards compatibility for the PS2 but others aren’t so lucky and I guess the word spread quickly and added to the negative rep.
But from a gamer’s standpoint, I guess it’s safe to say that the PS3 is still young. The PSP didn’t do well on it’s first 3 years too. Lets wait until more mainstream games like FF13 (All 3 of them) reaches the PS3.