Sony kills off the 20GB PS3

Sony is axing the lower-end model of the PlayStation 3, according to the gaming blog Joystiq. The blog quotes Sony saying the 20GB version will no longer be shipped to North American retailers.

The PS3 was initially launched last November amid quite a bit of fanfare. Sony was asking $499 for the 20GB and $599 for the 60GB. The $100 discount on the 20GB clearly wasn't all that attractive as Dave Karraker of Sony America reports that the 60GB PS3s outsold the lower-end models more than 9 to 1.

Getting rid of the cheaper version also kills of any hope of getting your hands on a PS3 from a retailer for less than $600. The news isn't a huge surprise since a Best Buy order sheet surfaced last month listing the 20GB PS3 as "discontinued."

[Orion Blastar]

Sony has killed off their brand

The Wii costs $250, and even the XBox 360 is cheaper than the PS3.

I myself bought a PS2 because it was finally reasonably priced at $129.99 and affordable enough to own. $600 is too much for me to buy a PS3, and Sony forces me to look at their competitors for a cheaper alternative.

Perhaps I'll wait a few years until the PS3 has more games available for it, and Sony knocks a few hundred dollars off the retail price, or at least gives me a decent bundle with a second controller and a free game.

[doughboy_10466]

I don't think it's gunna kill Sony...

You have to look at the whole package that you pay for. An example
would be if I went to a nice restaurant and bought a $20 hamburger meal.
You say that I could have just gone somewhere else and got the exact same
thing for significantly less. But for that price I pay for the entire dining
experience (waiter, atmosphere, dishes, and a chef prepared meal). At the
end of the day, it ate food that nourished me and kept me going for a little
while longer.

With game systems, or should I say computer entertainment systems, it's a
similar situation. Let me break it down by console.

Nintendo Wii - $250
Photo slide shows, web browsing, Virtual Console (AKA The Classics),
backwards compatibility for GameCube games, new interface (the Wiimote),
console exclusive games (Super Smash Brothers Brawl and others), and of
course FUN!!!

X-Box 360 - $400
Photos, media center PC functionality, web browsing, the best online console
gaming via X-Box Live membership (Gold), limited X-Box backwards
compatibility, CD/DVD playback, but for another $200 you can have HD-DVD
playback, console exclusive titles like Halo, and again FUN!!!

PlayStation 3 - $600
Photos slide shows, video playback (mp4, QT, and others), MP3 playback, web
browsing, HDMI output, CD/DVD playback, Blu-Ray disc playback, the back
catalog of PS1 & PS2 games (that's a lot of games), console exclusive games
like Gran Turismo & Tekken, and most importantly FUN!!!


So, as with my hamburger illustration, whether I chose a $20 meal or a $5
meal I'm gunna get full. With the game consoles, either way, I'm gunna have
fun, but we are still talking about electronic devices. The hardware
(processor, optical drives, controller...) and the software (the OS and the
games) will determine how much more you can do with your choice of
console(s) in your living room in addition to playing games. Me, personally, I
will be waiting for Gran Turismo 5 before I introduce a PS3 to my home,
electronic devices, and other consoles (GC, Wii, PS2). I don't want a PS3
because it's new, super powerful, or exclusive. I want it to enjoy the games I
like to play and until they have one, I don't need it.

[shortyman920]

That's not a smart move.

Ok first of all, the ps3 is expensive enough to begin with. But taking off the cheaper option is just stupid. For those people who don't have a job, or their parents aren't rich, the 500 model will go fine. I just can't imagine how the 20gb ps3 is gonna get cut out based on the favorism of the spoiled and the ones who can afford the higher one. That's total blasphemy. I love sony, but I wish they didn't do this. It had better not be true, because I have been saving almost a year for a ps3 and I have no need for the 60gb one. I will still get a ps3, but this will sets me back a few more months...

[Orbitalint]

If you don't have a job...

No offense but putting the argument that if you don't have a job, the 20GB version suits you better is a little ridiculous. If you don't have a job, I think a finding a ps3 really shouldn't be at the top of your "to do" list. I don't know your age but if you're out on your own and/or over the age of 20, i'd spend some more time finding a job than finding a 20GB version

[dbtwin28]

Makes sense to me.

This decision doesn't bother me, especially since anytime you buy a watered down version of anything, you always end up over time upgrading or using add-ons. Sony just cut the 20GB middle man. 60GB sold 9 to 1. It's hard to argue a case for the 20GB, anyone I have ever talked to about purchasing a PS3 always planned on the 60GB.

[Dekim99]

Good move b/c xbox has the edge on a 20 G next gen

Sony lost the edge to xbox for a 20G next gen system. Xbox wins 1-0. Now with the intro of downloadable video and especially HD content sony will be in position to have a fair fight with the newest xbox versions containing expanded hard drives. Storage capacitgy is the issue of all newly emerging technologies. Sony can't win the 20G battle at this point so why not give up and focus on the future battle when digital storage and downloadable media will rule the systems. Of course neither is cheap anymore but these are not children's games, they are high tech entertainment units and you are paying for a lot more than your old ps2 and if you configure it properly, it is well worth it. These are integral parts of your home network and entertainment centers not simply toys. I feel bad for the kids that can't afford one but for those of us a little more grown up it is an exciting time in gaming and entertainment. I have had an xbox for several months and will have the other 2 in a few more once I am convinced that the kinks are all worked out.

[Kokoro-Kun]

Step one toward a price cut.

we all know that Sony loses more money on the 20GB version. and this is the first step toward Christmas $100 price cut people are expecting.

because there's NO WAY Sony will sell their 20GB version for 399. and frankly, most people like the 60GB version. let's hope more will like it at 499 and at a time when some decent games come out.

[aka_tripleB]

I never even seen the 20 GB model

If the 60:20 selling ration was 9:1 why couldn't you ever find the 20 GB in stores? It seems to me that they "released" the 20 GB model to justify having their system sell for $600. I wouldn't be surprised if we find out later that Sony limited supplies of the 20 GB model to force people to buy the 60 GB one.

[DaChipsta1]

Does This Make My 20-giger a Collector's Item?

You know what, I'm actually proud to own a 20GB PS3. I really like the all-black
look, and I don't miss the memory card slots or built-in wireless. At launch, you
couldn't do Remote Play with the 20GB, but the March firmware update took care
of that. So, I got everything I wanted and more out of the PS3 for $100 less.
Nothing wrong with that. Hey, the games are just as crappy on the 20GB as they
are on the 60 (I shouldn't say that, MotorStorm and Formula 1 C.E. are a blast).
The 20GB is rare (which I like) and it looks like it's destined to become a "limited
edition" whether Sony originally wanted it that way or not.

[econman1979]

There is still a market

From Sony's perspective I can see why they discontinued production. But, I think they may have acted a bit too soon as I believe there is a market for the 20 gig model (whether people believe it or not). I own the 20 gig model by choice (had the opportunity to purchase the 60 gig version). I just didnt need the bigger hard drive, didnt care about the memory card slots, and never play online. Why would I pay an extra $100 for featues that I would never use? Im sure there are a lot of people like me who dont really care about these features. Xbox seems to realize this as they continue to sell both versions of their consols.

[extirpator]

Possible reasons

I hope the reason they killed off the 20Gb version is so that they can introduce the 80Gb version at the current 60Gb price, and reduce the 60Gb to the 20Gb price. If this isn't the reason, then they are only shooting them selves in the foot. I purchased the 20Gb version because the 60Gb versions extras wern't worth the additional cost to me. Wifi is around $20-$25, card readers are around $15-$20, and the price diference between a 20Gb and 60Gb HDD is roughly $10. Total diference in price should be $45-$55 not $100 imo. Thus for that $100 I saved, I got a 120Gb hd as the card reader is useless, and I'd rather have Gigbit than wifi.

[rpvitiello]

knew it would happen

I am getting so tired of hearing people complain about the dam price of the gaming systems?

If you buy a dam xbox360 for $400, and PS3 for $500 is not a major price difference!

Sony just includes most stuff with the system, and Xbox nickel and dimes you to death?

Xbox360 comes in 3 trims..

Base model with NO HDD (so you NEED a proprietary memory card) $300

Standard Xbox with 20gb HDD but still no wireless? $400

Or now the Xbox360 Elite that has a 160gb HDD and comes with the HDMI cable (because that is the one thing people knocked sony for not including)$500

You then need the following depending on the system?

512mb proprietary memory card $50
WiFi adapter $100
Remote control charger $30
Propitiatory wireless headset $60
HD-DVD driver $200
So the base system is really $350 just to use the thing at all?

The elite system to make it = to a PS3 is $800

PS3 60 gb has built in wifi, built in High def disc player, comes with a wire to charge the remote, and supports next gen audio formats with HDMI 1.3 The only thing hardware wise that is better on the Xbox is that it comes with a bigger HDD and a $30 hdmi cable. Other than that it is hardware wise w worse value?

For those of you complaining you don?t want that extra stuff, then buy the 360. It is not as good of a value if you want all the non gaming stuff like the High Def disk drive, but it is a WORSE value if you DO?

Honestly I bought the PS3 for movies because it was a cheep Blue Ray player, and as a player it was rated pretty highly. I just bought the 60gb version because I liked the idea of having open standard memory card slots (I can just stick a chip from my camera into the unit) and the WiFi is covenant incase I need to move the unit to a place that it is hard to run Ethernet wire. Also they use bluetooth so I can use ANY bluetooth headset, keyboard, mouse, being proprietary is the one reason I usually KNOCK Sony products, but this is the ONE time they went as open format as possible with there hardware and it got me to actually buy one of there products!

It seams to have worked the other way though because after I got the system I just kind of went ?I might as well get a game? and well since buying the system I now have 4 games and plan to buy more. It is worth noting I am not a big gamer and have NEVER owned a Play Station product of ANY kind before but they finally got me this time around.

The main reason for the PS3 was to steal sales away from the Xbox360. It is not stealing sales from Xbox, it is not all that popular, it loses them more money (the manufacturing costs on the PS3 is estimated around $800-$900 and ass you all said the price is only a $50 difference to build, not $100 in manufacturing) and the people who WILL buy a PS3 will probably be willing to buy the more expensive one anyway. Also thank all the people who liked to tout how expensive the PS3 is by only quoting the $600 price. The majority of casual users don?t even know they MAKE a $500 one. (I work in the retail electronics industry and I visit Circuit Citys and Best Buys on a weekly basis) Also did anyone follow the Ebay auctions right after the PS3 came out? The 60gb models were all selling for about a $1000, but the 20gb was only going for about $600, barley enough to cover the tax and gas, let alone time, the original buyers wasted getting it.

So if everyone wants to bash the PS3 for having a crappy, but free online vs. Xbox live fine. If you want to argue the Xbox has better games out for it RIGHT NOW, fine. Those are both true and valid. If you want to argue the PS3 hardware is TOO expensive go check out the play station, and Xbox sites and look at the prices of what you need with the system. Yes some people are lucky and put there gaming system in there bedroom right next to there computer and can just run a wire, and some people don?t have high end audio systems that they want to pump loss less audio through or even a HDTV. For the people that DO want those features the PS3 is a better buy, even at $600 VS the $500 Xbox360 elite?

IMO Sony should just replace the 60gb hdd with a 160gb, or maybe a 200gb HDD just to outdo Xbox, and they could include a HDMI cable and maybe the bluetooth remote and leave the price at $600 to attract more people (on the hardware front, they still need to get the games out, and revamp there online system)

[make_or_break]

All your points are valid, but...

...average people DO think the PS3 is awfully expensive. It doesn't matter how much value or hardware content the 60GB PS3 offers, too many people (re: parents) look at the $600 price and simply shake their heads. I have two co-workers who'd like to buy a PS2 replacement for their kids, but they refuse to part with anything close to $600 before games. They don't see a BluRay-capable movie player. They don't see Wi-Fi capability. They don't see multimedia potential. They merely see a gaming console (aka an electronic '[i]TOY[/i]') that costs closer to $1000 than it does to $0, especially when a few games and some accessories are tossed in with the sales tax (for those of us unlucky enough not to live in a sales tax-free state). That's why stores like Costco, Target and Best Buy have plenty of PS3s sitting around unsold, and the $250 Wii shelf is constantly empty (the positive buzz surrounding the Wii's gaming experience doesn't hurt, either). And the fact that 360 is priced less is EXACTLY what a parent will look at first ('how much is this going to hurt my bank account').

You can talk quantity and material value for price all you want, but the hit to the bottom line and bank account usually wins out in the end for most anyone on a budget.

[cutito95]

Backward compatible. New X-mas price.

you guys talk about this new price for the 60gb. I've heard this story. But I also heard that the new tag comes with a price. The new system will not be backward compatible. That some components will be stripped from the system it self. Does anyone have any insight to this?