Sony's PS3: Price Break Debunked

The InterTubes were all atwitter earlier this week when, on the eve of E3, Sony announced a $100 price cut on the 60 GByte version of the PlayStation 3, to $499 (the $499 20 GByte version of the PS3 had previously been discontinued by Sony). In conjunction with this proclamation, Sony unveiled a $599 80 GByte model (complete with a copy of MotorStorm) that will begin shipping next month.

Well, the other shoe has just dropped, as they say. First off, we’ve learned (as I’ve long suspected) that the 80 GByte model will, like its counterparts in other geographies, remove hardware backwards-compatibility for PS2 and PS1 content, relying instead on software emulation that encompasses only a subset of all prior-generation titles. And now, Sony’s admitted that they’re EOL’ing the 60 GByte version of the console. So it’s not really a price cut after all, is it? It’s an inventory closeout firesale, folks. And it puts the recent surge of 60 GByte PS3 purchases in perspective, doesn’t it?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m actually warming quite a bit to the PS3, the more I use it and the more it matures. Exposure to ‘true’ HD displays has increased my enthusiasm for blue laser (Blu-ray and HD DVD) content versus the standard-definition red laser DVD predecessor. And the console’s incremental firmware upgrades have added some slick features; collaborative processing using spare CPU cycles with honourable end results, networked media streaming capabilities (albeit without support for Apple and Microsoft DRM schemes….but even from my Windows XP-powered laptop, after I upgraded it to the DLNA-compliant v11 of Windows Media Player), upscaling of red-laser DVD content, collaborative communication with the PlayStation Portable, etc.

But, as I pointed out at CES, the blue laser player market won’t really take off until gear hits a $200 price point (a prize which I personally predict HD DVD will snag first….oh wait, it already has!). And yes, Sony fanboys, I know that the PS3 is much more than a Blu-ray player….but we’re all still waiting for the Halo-reminiscent and Sony-exclusive title that will make the PS3 a must-have game console purchase.

By the way, if you’re going to take the 60 GByte PS3 plunge, I personally recommend buying at Amazon.com. Right now you also get not only the "5 free Blu-ray movie" deal offered with any Blu-ray player purchase, but also a sixth free movie and a remote control. Plus, there’s also Amazon’s free shipping and no sales tax (in most states, that is) perks….