Blockbuster discounts old 40GB PS3--still a ripoff

(Credit: Kotaku)

A leaked internal memo shows that Blockbuster will be lowering the price of the entry-level 40GB model PlayStation 3 this weekend. Kotaku was able to get a screenshot of the memo, which clearly shows a new price of $360. Also, the store-exclusive Spider-Man 3 Blu-ray/Transformers video game and HDMI cable bundle will drop to $460.

This may seem like a decent bargain, but remember that $40 more will double your hard drive capacity to 80GB. (Confusingly, the "old" 80GB model, which had four USB ports and flash media slots, has mostly disappeared from store shelves. The new "Core" 80GB model--two USB ports, DualShock 3 controller, and no flash media slots--has replaced the 40, which is why the old one is being discounted.)

In addition, we can't really advise anyone to opt for the HDMI bundle either, as we all know how cheap you can find one of those cables online.

A Sony-initiated price drop does seem likely in time for the holidays, especially after Microsoft recently lowered the prices of the entire Xbox 360 product line.

Note: this post was updated to clarify the difference between the old and new 80GB PS3 models.

[jackanddaxter]

If you were smart, then you wouldnt be writing this article now. The new 80gb only has is exactly the same as the 40gb. There is not extra USB port or memory duo ports. It only as 80gb and that is it. I would recommend you delet this article because your are in some ways discouraging people from buying the 40gb, because you are giving away wrong information.

[DJ_Lae]

It's still a bad deal, but the price difference only accounts for the extra hard drive space. The new 80GB model is nothing more than a basic model with a bigger drive, and in the review it's nice enough to point out that rather important fact:

Editors' note July 18, 2008: Sony has announced that the 40GB Core PlayStation 3 will be replaced in the fall by an 80GB model. While that model will also include a DualShock 3 controller, it will lack the card reader, compatibility with some PS2 games, and two extra USB ports found on this model. Anyone looking for those features (and the bundled Metal Gear Solid 4 game) should go for the $500 model reviewed here; otherwise, they should wait for the 80GB Core System coming this fall, which will retail for $100 less.

[Kevinthewise1]

The new 80gb core ($400) is basically a 40gb model with a bigger hard drive and a dualshock 3 instead of a sixaxis controller. The 80gb MGS4 bundle, which costs $500 has the extra usb ports and card reader slots. So this whole article is garbage based on the fact that the author is confused. Nice try though.

[1stGreg]

Erm. Guys. The -new- PS3 80Gb is a 40Gb with a larger hard drive and a DS3, that's all. You are mixing it up with the old 80Gb SKU (which also had PS2 backward compatibility), but they are not the same.
Now is $360 a valid price for a 40Gb difference? You decide.

[ferretboy88]

I didn't understand any of that. I was very busy playing my 360.

[LeggoDiego]

Wow, this is not too well thought out. I would expect a little more research before posting this to the public. Well the damage is done now so who cares.

Do the research or you will have 360 fanboys posting silly rants... oh too late.

[nihilisticmystic]

$300 for PS3/Blu-Ray is far from a ripoff ignorant fanboy article writer.

[Fil0403]

Still a ripoff, having in mind you can have better for less money (Nintendo Wii), and especially for someone like me, who already has Blu-Ray on the laptop.

[extirpator]

Ok, let me get this streight. A 40GB PS3 is a "ripoff" at $299, but a 60gb xbox360 isn't? Correct me if I'm wrong, but this PS3 has a bly-ray drive vs a plain DVD drive in the xbox 360. This PS3 has built in wireless networking which is roughly a $100 upgrade for the 360. This PS3 has a Gigabit ethernet port where as the 360 still only has 10/100. This PS3 has a standard 2.5" laptop drive that can currently be expanded to over 300Gb where as the 360 still uses a propriotary harddrive that is currently capped at 120Gb. This PS3 has access to free online play where as all 360 owners have to pay $50 per year to play online. This PS3 has built in DLNA networking making it very easy to stream media from any DLNA server where as the 360 has to jump through hoops to do the same. This PS3 can be used with a PSP in remote locations to play games or watch videos where the 360 has no comparable feature. This PS3 has a built in web browser, where as the 360 has no simmilar option. This PS3 can have various varients of linux installed on it allowing it to serve as a full computer if one desires, where as the 360 has no such option. This ps3 can also operate with mythTV where as the 360 has no such option.

I'm not mentioning games because both systems have their share of excelent exclusives, but to dare call this PS3 a Rip off when it clearly has many advantages over the equivilently priced 360 is rediculous.

[Kevinthewise1]

Since the article was updated, it doesn't look like that big of a ripoff anymore. Maybe you can get your facts straight next time, Jeff !!