60GB/40GB Model Comparison

With the inevitable hardware cuts from the cheaper 40GB model, we take a look at how differently they will actually appear. Sony today also released a picture of the new SKU which - at closer investigation, is rather different from previous models.

Take a look at the image comparison, some of the things we notice are;

-Naturally the USB ports are down to 2 from 4.

-The cover that had the media slot readers underneath seems to have been removed.

-The PS3 icon on the chrome tray seems to be painted onto the metal instead of being an external part.

-Rumour is that also the 'PLAYSTATION 3' text on the machine is also painted onto it instead of being a semi-external aspect.

-And interestingly, there seem to be less ventilation holes for the new model.

[ReBurn]

I'm guessing that the 40gb model contains a completely redesigned motherboard. I can't wait until someone takes one apart and posts pictures.

[s1lens3]

Not bad it has wireless, seems to be an improvement of the original 20 gb except for the backward compatibility.

[Funky Town_TX]

I don't have PS2 games, and I don't want to play them. I don't need memory card readers either.

[progx]

I sell everything when the new sh*t comes out.

[Mr_Kuwabara]

Meh it's the inside that counts. :)

[crck]

Seems like some people are gonna need to buy a usb hub. 1 to charge the controller. 1 for keyboard and mouse combo (or both slots taken up if wired). No room left to plug in a thumb drive (which probably becomes even more important since it doesn't have flash card readers). Not that I care too much I got a 60 gb. Just wondering about the reasoning behind it.

[Irving]

You don't have to keep the controller connected all the time. It charges in less than an hour and runs for 20+ hours. Atleast it is better than having to buy separate play and charge kits.

[snakeater3]

the reasoning behind it is pure economics .....thats why ms has 3 sku's and three different price points ...having distinct sku's lets those who are willing to pay more for bells and whistles to pay the full price without cannibalizing sales of the lower spec sku....do you really think the 60gb and the 20 gb model were a 100 dollars apart from sony's point of view ? the same applies for this new model

[BrianC6234]

I have an original 60GB PS3 and never use more than two USB ports at a time. You could always get a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Or maybe a keyboard with USB ports built into it. I doubt Sony saves that much by dropping two USB ports but every little bit helps. Plus it makes the features on the 60GB model seem like a better deal. This 40GB PS3 is just for gamers who want a PS3 but won't pay more than what a 360 costs.

[feejo]

Minus the USB - Card - EE, they should have save enough to make the 40gb 300$ to really compte, but they will learn there too.

[Vojkan]

Well i am disappointed with 40GB. I have 60 PS2 games, i guess i should just throw them?! And dont give me that crap "play it on your PS2".

I will have to wait for some cheaper model that is not crippled. And trust me many will after this "no BC". You just cant ignore that feature when there are over 120 million PS2 owners out there.

[Funky Town_TX]

120 million units don't = owners. Anyway BC will be done through software right? Just keep your PS2 and game on it. Why do you want a PS3 if you still want to play PS2 games?

[Meus Renaissance]

You can either keep them to play on your PS2 or sell them all and use that money to invest in PS3 software/peripherals

[Vojkan]

@Funky Town_TX

O please be quiet!!What moronic question are you asking?! I may never again play those games but still i want to have that option. And NO this model will not use"software reader" like 60GB here in EU. Did you even read what was said about that? God...

@Meus Renaissance

Mark my words this system will not sell that well because of no BC. It is a crippled SKU, end of discussion.

[ErcsYou]

if you really want backward compatibility, then buy a 60 gig...
if you want to be cheap and lose 2 precious usb ports, buy a 40 gig
you have a choice so stop whining

[Vertius]

Buy the 60GB, then, like I am. It still has BC.

[BrianC6234]

I don't understand gamers who complain about the cost of the console. If you buy 60 games that's a lot more money than the console costs. I don't know what you paid for your 60 PS2 games but just say they're $40 US each. That's $2,400 US. That's much more than the PS2 cost. People need to stop complaining about the cost of consoles. If you can't afford the console you can't afford gaming.

[mentalboy11]

so you're saying the 40 GB is crippled because it cant play last gen games? well then, i guess the the 360 is crippled too and also the wii since you have to rebuy the games.

[The Swordsman]

Think about it this way Vojkan. When the PlayStation Store is finally on par with Xbox Live, Sony will probably begin emulating PS2 games on it, just as it is emulating PS1 games on it now. Sony said that it would eventually be putting PS2 games on the Store. Sure, it will cost money, but probably not much. I'm guessing about twenty euro at the most.

[Vavoom]

You make an extremely good point, being that there are over 120 mil ps2 owners out there, BC should have been the last thing they got rid of.

(On my own little soap box)

I thought it was once said that having multiple skus was just plain confusing to consumers and that MS was wrong for doing that and that Sony didn't want to do it.

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but Sony seems to talk out their A$$ all too often. Have they forgotten that they were suppose to discontinue the 60 gig sku and push the 80 gig model. Or was that just another lie to make the public panic and go out and buy the 60 ps3. Sony is so shady. I really don't think that they remember what they say from week to week. I really don't like their sneaky approach to consumer relations.

But anyway, it's good for consumers that they are creating a new less expensive sku so that the ps3 can be enjoyed by everyone.

[Jen5en]

I agree, but hey... since when hasn't large corporations been a bunch of hypocrites, right? The most important thing is that these PS3's basically has the same functionality. They aren't stripped of hard drives for example, only the Backwards Capability. Thing is; devs don't care about BC, only we do. I do too, although I've only played ONE PS2 title on my PS3 - RE4. That's it. So why does it matter to me? And why do I want a Memory Card reader when I've never used it? I don't know, and neither does Sony. They just see the statistics saying that no-one plays old games on new systems, so why should they bother with the nostalgic gamers? Truth is, Sony's in a hurry here. They need cheap PS3's.. and they need them now, and the 40 gig really is the poor man's PS3. No chrome, not even a turnable PS logo on front. So... if we really care about BC, we'll buy the 60 gig. That's the Sony plan... and here's to it working.

[crck]

Because no one is as Shady as MS. Lets see... Lie to the public for 18 months about faulty systems while they did jack to fix the problem. Bribe reviewers of Halo 3 with $800 of merchandise. Go back on their word that you wouldn't need a hard drive to play all 360 games. Blame customers for scratched discs that their own system caused then offer a "generous" replacement program for only $20 a disc (which costs them maybe 10 cents to press). All corporations are shady but for you to single out Sony is just ridiculous.

[tk]

This is the entry level model. The market will let them know which one...
I have the 60GB euro model. I would personally not get the 40GB model - I want the BC. But for those who start new - this might be what they are looking for.

I would bet that all i will do - as with the 20GB model - is that the 60/80 GB models will sell like hotcakes... while the 40GB stay on the shelves...

[Vavoom]

"I hope you're a Nintendo fan if your calling Sony shady "

Okay since you said that, that would tell any normal person that you don't know what type of a fan I am. Yet, it automatically triggers you to flame Microsoft because as a Sony fanboy you are conditioned to do so. Even if MS is "Shady" that doesn't change that fact that Sony is also. Or are you using the weak defense mechanism that MS is "MORE" shady than Sony.

I swear, it's like I spoke bad about a member of your family. Some of you guys are so thin skinned that in some states you would be considered a danger to society due to your explosive and radical responses to common debate.

Anyway, If Sony did not think BC was a feature needed on the PS3, they would have never included it to start with. Kinda like the "Last Gen Rumble" that they didn't include on the PS3. That is now going to be added at the cost of people having to go out and buy new controllers.
In my opinion, that was another Sony lie that has cost us money. (If I want rumble, I now need to buy 4 replacement controllers.) If you want to say MS is shady, I have no problem with that and I agree. But, that doesn't exonerate Sony!

BTW, I own both the 360 and the PS3. I'm a gamer, not a fanboy!

[Patrick]

The Cover is still there and the ps symbol looks just the same as will the words. Just cause Sony dropped some features doesnt mean its now a painted box with holes punched in the card board. Sony may drop features but their products are always solid and well made. I mean, no system out there works as well as the PS3. Its awesome looking, very quiet, and never overheats (I have left mine on for over 12 hours). NO other tru next gen system can say that yet, which is why I dont have any others besides the PS3 YET.

[Irving]

Mine is running for 15 days straight, and not just sitting there ideally, its either playing games or folding proteins. I'm planning to run it for over a month like this, just for the kicks.

[Jen5en]

Well, I still feel odd about having the PS3 stripped of all the 'bling-bling'. Mine's from launch, with all the chrome and nice little touches that just shines "quality" from a mile away. But then again, there are those who don't care about that, and they will be pleased by having the new 40 gig model. I still prefer the 60 gig any day though.

[Funky Town_TX]

How many PS3 supporters that did not have pS3's. That is very lame indeed. 40 gb for me pending a few questions I have about the system. I'm sure those will be cleared up before the console hits the shelf.

[DarkSniper]

It's this simple PS3 is setting up themselves up for success. Who wouldnt get a PS3 for the same price as xBOX? Especially when XBOX sucks.

[goodganja]

R.I.P Xbox

2001-2007

So what it doesnt have Backwards compatibility. PS3 is future proof so it can be added on later through a firmware update. If that doesnt work, then we can simply install Linux and run a PS2 emulator through that. It's that easy people. Sony knows how to protect themselves for the future and get the best out of their tech hardware.

[MUGEN]

"-The PS3 icon on the chrome tray seems to be painted onto the metal instead of being an external part.

-Rumour is that also the 'PLAYSTATION 3' text on the machine is also painted onto it instead of being a semi-external aspect. "
both are false. if you look at the high-res pics at the SCEE press site you can se both of these are the same as the 60gb.

[JohnCarpenter]

I sold my PS2 and kept my favourite PS2 games. The new PS3 would be no option for me. Some other guys do it like i did ... i guess.

But if it has a 65 nm CPU and needs less cooling it would be the better choice as DVD player.

[Salvadore]

No matter what, I will force my brother to buy me one.

[sleekblackroadster]

this is all weirdo euro stuff.

[feejo]

It say 40gb to compte ELITE at same price. So Elite here is 450$, 400$ 40gb will not been seen yet.

[Gina-get-u]

Looks ok to me, but I need to know more about it before I bite. I think the external differences stem from the fact that the new model is being built by FoxCon or some other low cost outfit. If this is true, I may also wait for reliability info on the new model, since I'm not yet sure how much control Sony has over this new cut-rate manufacturer.

[Vojkan]

Dodece says:
Backwards compatibility has been a hallmark of the Playstation brand. A covenant with the gamers that their games could last the test of time, and that there would always be a massive library of games to choose from. This was always a strong dynamic within the successful strategy that Sony pioneered. So much so that they forced the other competitors to adopt backwards compatibility as a standard. Even movie formats, and audio formats these days enforce strict backwards compatibility. The reason consumers demand it, expect it, and will raise holy hell if it is not provided.

This is nothing less then a breach or trust, and a breach of faith on the part of Sony. You do not betray your loyal customers that have bought into the expectation that their games are on solid ground. No matter what they do not have to toss away their old games. That they can continue to cherish their beloved games for years or even decades to come. The customers are not at fault for the outlandish design of the PS3. Sony is at fault, and had they started off with an affordable unit to sell to consumers. That loyalty would have seen them do well this generation. Instead they served many diabolical purposes.

Seriously I would expect a bit more outrage. Sony has basically attacked a article of faith for the gamer. A serious threat against continued gaming goodness. I do not care if you have a PS3 now, or have a fanatical devotion to Sony. This is bad for all of us as gamers it sets a dark precedent. Do we want a console universe where we have to give up our old games next generation. Where we have to back catalog consoles, and more importantly one where we cannot sell off our old consoles for cash so a poorer gamer can buy second hand and enjoy gaming too?

This a crime against gaming nothing less, and I pray Sony gets filleted alive for even daring to do so. That would send a clear message to all those that sell video, audio, or software. That message being don't you even dare to consider this option. This is a testament to the arrogance or Sony, or their desperation that they think they will get away with this.
Posted on: 10/05/07, 19:02

[rwest78]

I signed up for an N4G account just so I could reply to this blather. My god buddy! You're complaining about BC and how Sony has screwed over their "loyal" fans. If all of these "loyal" fans had bought the 60 GB model with BC in the first place there would be no need for a 40GB model without BC.

Stop blaming Sony for the fact that you're cheap. Sony's given thier "loyal" fans BC as an option. It's not up to them whether or not your cheap azz will pay for it.

[kingboy]

For christ sake don`t buy it if it doesn`t appeal to your needs ..simple as 1 2 3

[segasage]

envethough ps3 fanatics never questrion , care or see anything negative aspescts of sony's strategy, it's good to know some can still make sense of it all from a business pov.

the single most important thing to ps1/2 fans before purchasing a next-gen, has to be, being able to play your old games with a console that you can FINALLY afford. notice I said "finally".

If not, then what is the point waiting for that magical price drop or atleast for the sku you have been waiting for? plenty of ps fans still out there. the ones that could not afford the 60/80 gig models are probably the ones that have been waiting for this sku, as well as the ones with a library of 30+ games after 6+ years.

bc i would say is the single most important function you can give your fans when you want them to upgrade at a price they can afford. everyone talkd about MS and their options and sku's but sony always seems to take a step back when they make a downgraded sku. it's usually a big one.

will this model sell because of that?, well i don't know. it makes cheap and great blu-ray player though. i suspect some will buy just for that. yet osme might skip it and wait for a $400 sku that is not gimped in some way of fashion.

[Gina-get-u]

@segasage

That's a good point, and something I missed honestly. The so-called "millions" of loyal PS2 owners that are still waiting to upgrade are the ones that couldn't afford the 60gb model. Also include those people that are still buying PS2s today. This new SKU will do nothing to speed up their conversion.

[feejo]

I agree, but PS2 is so retard vs PS3, when you get a PS2 do you still play PS1 games? They said they do survey about what gamer wanted, some told them they do not wanted PS2 games, most of them already have pS2 console, so it they can reduce price on it, good for them, but I expect 40GB to cost 350$ US.

[Mr_Kuwabara]

Meh B/C is a no biggie since I have a PS2, and I dont even play my ps2 anymore to begin with so why bother?

[WilliamRLBaker]

they took out all this stuff....couldn't they have made the thing smaller? i mean the ps3 is bigger then the original XBOX, why couldn't they have shrunk it down with the removal of all this stuff?

LOL and wow so much for the we only need one sku, blah blah argument.
and wow they've release gimped the PS3 so as to get the price down so as to get actual console sales.

LOL I bet 50 bux that within a year the 40 gig is the only model they use, because they find every one purchases it over the more expensive ones with useless stuff no one uses.

and really it was less then a year before sony totally removed all the original functions of the ps3.

Ps1 era
Originally launched with explansion bay (never used but by cheat devices) an link port (used by like 20 games and thats it) Dedicated AV ports on the back (later changed to a multiport) Within 4 years all of these we're removed, Explansion bay,Link port,Dedicated AV...ect

Ps2 Era
HDD expansion bay, dropped as soon as slimline was released leaving all hard drive users in the cold, all HDD support was dropped in america.
Ilink (firewire) dropped after like 3 years, They actually managed to keep the usb ports....

Ps3 Era
card reader,usb...ect all removed within a year.

[tethered]

Every game made for the PS3 will be playable on all PS3's sold right out of the box. No extra purchase required.
20 GB = All PS3 games playable
40 GB = All PS3 games playable
60 GB = All PS3 games playable
80 GB = All PS3 games playable

Not every game made for the 360 is playable on every 360 sold out of the box. Some games will require an HDD (Sold separately only by M$) to be able to play them.
http://www.1up.com/do/newsS...

Remember how the x-box had an HDD in every unit?
Talk about taking a step backward.

[Jeebus]

Seriously. I have a 2GB SD flash memory card to move photos, a wireless keyboard/mouse, a PS2-PS3 adapter to spare my sixaxis' battery when I play PS2/PS1 games. It is the perfect, and I stress perfect, complement to my 1080i TV, I have 600 songs stored on the HDD, I love playing RB6 online for free, I have Talledega Nights and 300 on Blu-ray, I still buy new PS2 games to play upscaled, I have the memory card adapter to transfer PS2 saves between both consoles and I have purchased 7 PS3 games and enjoyed every single one of them. I use the built-in Internet browser to browse this website, among others, and I use my brother's PSP to access remote play features on my PS3.

I love the built-in wifi and the sweet sweet 60GB of storage for HD movie and game trailers. I...have...no....qualms whatsoever with my PS3. Orange Box is easily my next buy, which means I won't have a life for the 2 weeks after I buy it.

Peace out.

[PS3n360]

People dont play games on the PS3 its for movies.

[PimpHandHappy]

i have my 60GB and i have only played one PS2 game on it, God of War! Its funny seeing all these ppl talk about BC being a big deal. Go guy the 60GB if u realy care. i still use my PS2 for moveis on the road and socomCA

other then that i have no reason to use my PS2

some ppl will find fault in anything that starts of S and ends in Y

give it a break. Ur getting a blueray player and a true 1080p machine for 400 bucks...

[Advanced Arcade]

I just find it kinda of funny if you look back.

MS releases Xbox 360 and Sony bashes them for not having 100% BC and using software to do it.

Sony uses PS2 chip to get 100% BC.... well almost.

Sony cuts out chip and uses software to do BC.

Sony now cuts out BC all together.

Meanwhile the same people that waived the "You Must be BC" flag when MS was not going to be 100% BC are now saying its no big deal.

Personally I never cared about BC. Want to play an old game.... fire up the old system.

[tethered]

Quoting Advanced Arcade-
"Sony now cuts out BC all together."

You can still get the 60 and 80 GB if you want BC so its not "cut out all together"

Just consider it Sony giving people options. lol

[mikeslemonade]

I have all 4 usb ports plugged in, so I don't think 2 is enough. You can unplug and plug, but it's inconvenient. When UT3 comes out im going to have mouse, keyboard, controller charger cable, and the PS eye. Also that also limits what games can do. What if there is a game where you use mouse, keyboard, and the PS eye together?

[MarioFromTexas]

And no there is no game that is going to require keyboard and mouse support that's optional not standard, that's why they call it a console...Sixaxis is standard, keyboard and mouse optional(get it) At least the PS3 let's you use k/m not like the cheap60

[Lumbo]

it might come as something completely alien to you, mikeslemonade, but there are devices on this earth, known as USB HUB's that can magically expand a single USB port into multiple USB ports. I know this is close to black magic, but so is the price for these wondrous electronic marvels, they sell for about $5 in the electronic bargain bin in a mall near you.

[xionpunk]

B/C loss sucks but at least i still have my ps2

[chrisin3]

I understand your issue with the new model, but if it concerns you that much, you do have the option to buy the more expensive model that contains the BC feature. There is a clear aim with this new model, and if that doesn't coincide with your wants, then there are other options for you, i.e. the 80gb or the 60gb.

You need to be realistic. Sony wants to compete (from a pricing standpoint) with the other consoles. The only way they could fiscally do that is by cutting some features. It's not perfect, but I can at least understand their mentality. This is not a bad decision (it's rather ambitious), and it shows that Sony is ready to compete.

[Sevir04]

and as of now the new 60gig value pack is cheaper as well the 40gig is 299 euros. and the 60gig bundle is now 349.. is 50 more euros gonna kill you. first they b1tch about price now they have price and they whine... they can never be pleased. you wanted to get on the the PS3 now it's at entry level. if you're smart keep you PS2. why trash it when it's soppose to be collected. i still have PS1 and PS2 and a PSP. and sometimes i just feel like playing on PS2 versus PS3. in all honesty. Sony Slashed the price of the PS3 bundle so it's now at an entry level for you if not well keep looking from the outside on in till a price drop happens for your PS3 of your choice it really is a no brainer though you like the price but want the bells and wistles. get the 60 it's now 349 euro. get over it

[no_more_heroes]

that lackluster BC doesn't matter anymore now that Sony has done it? A year ago Microsoft gave almost the same reason for not focusing so much on BC and got flame broiled for it, but now that Sony has done it it doesn't matter anymore?

[chrisin3]

cheaper SKU, that's why. Also, some people aren't happy about the loss of BC, so what you said isn't really true. You're generalizing.

[feejo]

Looking like that... If XBOX dare to get 1 billion to spend on Red Ring of death, why not SONY take advantage of it, and reduce cost of their 40GB to 350$ that would be a good decision, they will loose on console, but they will win faster the war.

[sumfood4u]

Seem they put blood sweat an tears into making it before they took coffee & smoke breaks while making the other 3 diffrent type of systems. I'm prefering to 20GB, 40GB, & 80Gb. I'm a BC guy an since FF13 & VS wont be here anytime soon why not enjoy the old school on PS3. People who say just play it on your PS2, I say Just play your DVD on your PS2 not your PS3.

[KingJames1906]

"I wish that [Microsoft] would come up with some strategies of their own, but they seem to be going down the path of everything we do."

--Sony exec Kaz Hirai to OPM

So lets see,

Sony says no to dual shock (forced feedback) and now yes (Microsoft had it day one.)

Sony says Microsoft made bad decision not including 100% backwards compatibility (Microsoft still does not have 100% backwards compatibility, Sony never achieved 100% compatibility and their newest SKU has 0% backwards compatibility.)

Sony criticizes Microsoft for having to many SKU's. (Not only does Sony follow the same dual SKU structure on their initial release of the PS3 as Microsoft, but creates even more SKU's. Lets count 1. - 20GB, 2. - 40GB, 3. - 60GB, 4. - 80GB versions (And it's now rumored of a 160 GB version which would make 5. Each with slightly less or more functionality.

I love teaching...

http://www.gamepro.com/news...

Don't get me wrong, Microsoft had some goof comments as well but you got to give Kaz some credit for that statement back in JUNE of 2006 as opposed to now.

[jackdoe]

Problem with MS skus is that they made a model without a harddrive which really gimps the developers. They have to make the game playable with and without harddrive. All of Sony's skus do have a harddrive so developers can make a game with that in mind. And Sony had to say no to force feedback because of their lawsuit with Immersion. And 98% BC is pretty damn close to %100 BC considering that all the major games work on it. Can't say the same about MS BC or the 80GB PS3 BC.