Rumour: 40GB PS3 in UK tomorrow alongside 60GB price cut

by Jem Alexander { Oct 4th 2007 at 10:00AM }

Pocket Lint is reporting that the 40GB PS3 is coming even sooner than we expected. They have had several separate reports that the new SKU will drop tomorrow, October 5th. Not only that, but the 60GB will be dropping in price to £369 at the same time. While we haven't been able to confirm these reports, and therefore have no choice but to label them as a rumour, we're remaining optimistic and look forward to see what will happen tomorrow.

Pocket Lint is also stating that, while two of the four USB ports and the memory card readers will be gone, WiFi and software emulated backwards compatibility will remain. This is a particular point of interest for us, particularly as Play.com pointed out that the 40GB would have no backwards compatability whatsoever (though that information, as well as the other specifications, are now gone from their site).

We're looking forward to seeing how this progresses and, if Pocket Lint and their sources are correct, we may not have long to wait.

Tags: 40gb, pocket-lint

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

T-P-M @ Oct 4th 2007 10:15AM

I really hope it does come out on the 5th. Not just for all those people that want one, but so I can stop hearing about it....

Justin @ Oct 4th 2007 10:15AM

Sony needs to own up to it already.

Stef Geiger @ Oct 4th 2007 10:23AM

I knew the whole "no backwards compatibility" thing was bullsh*t. Seeing as it's done in SOFTWARE, it's basically free for Sony to add it to machines. Actually, it'd probably cost them MORE money to take it out because they'd have have a different PS3 OS to install on the drive in the factory.

Seeing as it's free, it'd make no sense to cut it out, because Sony is trying to cut costs to make a cheaper console so that people buy it - not PUNISH them for getting a cheaper one.

Neo Senku @ Oct 4th 2007 10:53AM

thats whats up not sure if the memory card reader will affect me, but as long as wifi remains im good

Stef Geiger @ Oct 4th 2007 10:56AM

@4: The omission of card readers shouldn't bother anybody - you can pick up USB card readers for like... $15? Multi-format ones for under $30?

Darayz @ Oct 4th 2007 10:59AM

If there's no backwards compatibility, does that mean God of War 2 won't play on the cheaper PS3? I hope there is backwards compatibility cuz I still haven't played that game and don't have a ps2 anymore.

Ian @ Oct 4th 2007 11:12AM

Now, what are Sony going to do to let the general public (not us fanboys) know about the new 'affordable' PS3?

wonway01 @ Oct 4th 2007 11:15AM

Its been speculated that even with the EE chip removed that there was still some hardware ps2 related that the software emulation worked with. If that was true then further removing it would make even software emulation not work which means emulation isnt "free" All specualtion though.

I don't beleve personally it would be removed myself.

@#6. If for some reason BC was killed in the cheaper PS3 then you GOW 2 would not work in it.

UK Mike @ Oct 4th 2007 11:18AM

Engadget reports that the 60Gb will drop to £369 but it will loose the bundle pack included in the price (1 controller + 2 games of choice which sony see's as £110 extra of goods) which most UK stores sell for £399.
Do the maths, this is not good value!!!!!
Maybe it's worth getting the current £399 bundle deal before the bundle packs disappear for the immediate future.

Shattercross @ Oct 4th 2007 11:25AM

@7

Carve it into the moon with a laser.

Anyway, the whole no backward compatibility thing made no sense- even without the EE or the GS chips the current 80gig and EU 60 gig emulated it's predecessors fine, removing this functionality would as #3 said would amount to punishing consumers for adopting the console late...makes me laugh when I saw people debate on how they would remove backwards compatibility a few days ago...and the whole no USB thing... HOW WOULD YOU CHARGE THE CONTROLLER?

@6
I rented God of War 2 yesterday, runs fine on my ps3- although I have the 60gig with the EE and GS chips. I doubt Sony would neglect making one of it's heavy hitters compatible with the software emulating ps3's- so you're fine.

Dewy9 @ Oct 4th 2007 11:38AM

Seeing as how backwards compatibility is the deciding factor for me as to whether I get the 40 or the 60, I'm very glad to see the 40 (apparently) has it.

Akamaru @ Oct 4th 2007 12:03PM

Awesome! If i didn't already have one, I would buy this instantly. I rarely have more than 2 things plugged into the USB ports and I can count how many times i've used the card reader on one hand.

Now wifi, that I need. Also, backwards compitibily. Can't play MGS4 withouth a MGS2 refresh and actually finishing MGS3.

Livi70590 @ Oct 4th 2007 12:13PM

@6 - God Of War 2 is one of the games credited on sony's list at http://faq.eu.playstation.com/bc as having little to no problems.

Michael C. Sherrin @ Oct 4th 2007 12:18PM

No backwards compatibility? That's cruel. One of my favorite features of the original model is the upscaling for my PS2 games so they don't look like crap on my HDTV. First, the emulation in the 80GB hurts the visual. Now no backwards compatibility? It's going to make it harder to convince people to upgrade especially since there still aren't that many PS3 games (and there are too many awesome PS2 games).

*******

Michael C. Sherrin
http://www.prodigeek.com/

Dewy9 @ Oct 4th 2007 1:46PM

14- This latest report is saying that there will be backwards compatibility, refuting the older (and now missing) report that it wouldn't be a feature on the 40gb.

ruibing @ Oct 4th 2007 2:27PM

I believe the software emulation will remain. The chip cost of $20-30 is not worth a non-bc controversy.

Popfrogs @ Oct 4th 2007 2:28PM

Yeah, enough with the missing BC talk. We know Sony wouldn't remove BC.

Although, it'd be a good idea to STOP SELLING the original PS2. Make everyone who wants to play buy the new hardware, match it with a price drop = win.

Also, try investing in some marketing. You know, the kind that works. Like prime time TV spots and MTV/Comedy Central/G4TV spots. Not sure if that's possible with G4TV since they appear to be a 100% owned subsidiary of Microsoft, but it's worth a shot.

360 rocks @ Oct 4th 2007 2:50PM

I wish Sony would bring out a premium PS3, comparable to the much superior 360 and at the same price. All they will need to do is to cut out backward compatibility, multiplayer, blu-ray, HDMI, and pass the consoles through a furnace during manufacture so that it breaks down 30% of the time after sale..cant see them compete with MS otherwise

bamf @ Oct 4th 2007 3:23PM

I thinking we'll see nothing tomorrow.

ruibing @ Oct 4th 2007 3:48PM

@18

Yes, Mr 360 Rocks, they should do what 360 does and offer an Elite version for $449 that just has a headset, wireless controller, and a large HDD, but no HD-DVD. I don't know why you think they should cut out HDMI, since I remember the 360 fans asking for that same function until it was released a few month ago with the new 360 SKU. What they do need to do is care less about the quality of their products and skimp on quality and validation testings and then maybe they can compete with the 360 properly.

lenny0487 @ Oct 4th 2007 5:13PM

mmhh, can the PS3 detect external memory card readers, if so, theres no point for people who dont have a PS3 yet to B@@@H (sorry for the language)about the 40gb version not having the Memory card readers, its not really needed if you are not a A/V enthusiast this is actually a good thing, its not gimped as the 20gb version.