Analyst: 80GB system abandoned due to sales [Update]
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Jan 25th 2008 at 2:15PM }
Janco Partners analyst Mike Hickey who told GameDaily, "Sony is likely dumping the 80GB version because it has failed to meet internal sales projections." He added, "A recessionary environment will likely punctuate the 80GB version's relative and absolute retail sales disappointment. The recently released 40GB version is getting traction at retail, suggesting backward compatibility takes a backseat to the console's price point for current buyers." The successful sales of the 40GB system, versus the 80GB package, is likely refocusing Sony's efforts in this generation of hardware.
Of course, Sony is keeping mum on the entire situation. "SCEA does not comment on rumor and/or speculation. We have not made any announcements regarding manufacturing."
Update: GameDaily goofed? Well, this is interesting. We just heard from The NPD Group who told us, "In the last quarter (when both were on the market), the 80GB sold more units than the 40GB." When pressed for a more exact breakdown of the sales data between the two SKUs, NPD said they could not provide that. It's certainly a surprise to us, however, that the more expensive 80GB would have sold more than 40GB, which many have attributed the PS3 sales spike to.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
JAH75157 @ Jan 25th 2008 2:26PM
*has 80gb
wins
-me
Gunegune @ Jan 26th 2008 5:48PM
Correct me if I'm wrong but they might be "discontinuing" the 80GB model to release a similar model but with a 65nm chip as opposed to the 90nm it has now.
We already know the 40GB has 65nm chips in it, it only makes sense the 80GB would too. This would make a complete transition to 65nm chips.
On another note, they may also be changing the hard disc size for various reasons (multi-media rentals, PlayTV, cost, etc.) and they may even change the price.
Gunegune @ Jan 27th 2008 12:42PM
I also forgot to mention they may be replacing the old Blu-ray laser with the new 3mm Blu-ray module (although they could just do this silently).
One other guess would be that they're changing the game that comes with it.
Brad @ Jan 29th 2008 8:34PM
If they changed the Blue Ray laser silently, this might be an issue, as it could affect SACD compatability. The 20/60/80GB has it, but it disappeared on the 40GB. Probably safer to release as a new SKU, to avoid complaints?
JAH75157 @ Jan 29th 2008 10:39PM
ummm ok
poprocker @ Jan 25th 2008 2:45PM
I just bought a 40GB this past weekend and LOVE it. I've got a ps2 if ever want to play old games.
jatt4964 @ Jan 25th 2008 2:49PM
i have a 80 gb version,
80 gb is much better then 40 gb
ryan @ Jan 25th 2008 7:35PM
any version can upscale to like 250GB if they wanted to. but 40GB aren't backwards compatible with PS2/PS1 games.
Just have a model with Dualshock 3 controller out by MGS4 time and i'll buy a PS3 finally.
Jettic @ Jan 25th 2008 8:46PM
OMG! You are so misinformed, the 40GB PS3 DOES play PS1 games..
B1gC72 - PSN: KillaKornbread @ Jan 26th 2008 6:08AM
it doesnt "upscale" to 250GB, that's just silly. you can "upgrade" to whatever sized SATA 2.5" drive you want though.
oh and like someone before me said, all PS3's play PSOne games, its just the 40GB that doesnt play PS2 games. its a very common misconception.
DMeisterJ @ Jan 25th 2008 2:53PM
Yeah, with the borderline recession in the U.S., I don't know if people will be as acceptable to a $500 price point, rather than a possible $300 one.
Branden @ Jan 25th 2008 2:55PM
I have a 60gb I upgraded to 120gb and honestly I never play ps2 games and the 40 DOES have ps1 back. comp. I'd like to sell my 60 and buy a 40 solely becuase it uses less power and has upgraded hardware. I can always throw that 120 gb in it. F the bc...and who really needs the memory card adapters.
Ty @ Jan 25th 2008 2:56PM
I have the 80gb version and I definitely didn't buy it for backwards compatibility. I think people are realizing they can put their own drives in it so paying 100 bucks extra makes no sense to them.
Efeez1986 @ Jan 25th 2008 2:57PM
I'm so sick of all the cheap ass people in this world. I don't understand what's the big deal with paying an extra $100, for an 80 gig. These same people probably went and bought an Iphone for $500 dollars. The 80 gig came out to about $530 dollars with a $60 game included, the 40 gig is like $430. The 40gig doesn't come w/ a game, so you have to buy a game and add $60 to the price of the 40 gig, $490. It's only $40 dollars cheaper than the 80 gig people.
Mike @ Jan 25th 2008 3:01PM
I just noticed that walmart.com has readded the 60 gb to their website at a price of 399 but it is sold out right now. Maybe it will see a comeback.
The 80 gb was clearly marked as being limited edition by the way. My guess is that there will be an announcement once the bluray promotion ends on Jan 31st.
MCX @ Jan 25th 2008 3:08PM
I have the OG 60gb and been loving it since day1 (actually had to wait 17days after day 1 but u know)
John @ Jan 25th 2008 10:15PM
O.G., that's hilarious. Took me a moment to get.
Nate @ Jan 25th 2008 3:13PM
Price is king. Mom and Dad don't know the difference between the two and just buy the cheaper of the two. Hell, even most mid-range gamers probably don't know the difference. They see 80gb vs 40gb and figure 40gb is fine. $400 is much easier to swallow than $500. And $300 is even easier... though I don't know how much credit I give the price drop rumors.
Before the 40gig came out, I thought they'd be idiots to drop PS2 compatibility... but now, I think they were absolutely right to do it, if it let them drop the price by $100. There's 100 million PS2s already out there... the market's pretty saturated with them. Even for people who know about BC, most probably already have a PS2, and why would they pay the cost of almost another full PS2 just to not have to switch video sources on the TV?
I bought the 60gig and I'm very happy with it, even though I paid the full $600. I didn't have a PS2, so it fills a big gap for me. When I'm out of games for one reason or another, I can borrow my friends' PS2 games that I missed and play those. But I wouldn't recommend it to anyone with a PS2 already. There's just no real benefit.
Dave @ Jan 25th 2008 3:15PM
I have the 60 GB, my friends have all purchased theirs in the past 3 months and have bought the 40GB. Abut the only problem we've consistently run into is the 2 USB ports only thing on the 40. (Which only comes up in regards to Rock Band, which sucks for me cause I have to cart the game and my PS3 to places to play) They don't care about the memory card readers nor backwards compatibility. They're more interested in Blu-Rays and PS3 games.
Nate @ Jan 25th 2008 5:27PM
Get a USB hub. I think it needs to be powered. It should work, and a lot easier than lugging the PS3
John @ Jan 25th 2008 10:17PM
yeah dude, all you have to do then is cart the usb hub, which you can get for about $20
firewalker6 @ Feb 2nd 2008 8:28PM
I have the 40gig system, and honestly if you think about it, there isn't enough games for PS3 to fill up the 80 gig harddrive. You can play the ps2 games on the 40 gig system and you can use the memory cards for them.
bykerjock @ Jan 25th 2008 7:53PM
".....there isn't enough games for PS3 to fill up the 80 gig harddrive. You can play the ps2 games on the 40 gig system and you can use the memory cards for them."
Um...say what? Sorry man, I just don't really understand a thing you just said. Unless you've discovered something everyone else has missed (and if so, please share!) - you cannot play PS2 games on the 40gb PS3. And it doesn't have the memory card readers either. So, yeah. I'm a bit confused by your comment.
Care to clarify?
mberkowitz @ Jan 25th 2008 3:22PM
I got the 80GB for $399 with that 20% off coupon from Kmart last november. If it wasn't for the coupon I would've gone for the 40gb. I thought it was a good deal, but motorstorm is soooo boring. Its nice having the BC because I can still play Madden 05 since the new Maddens haven't been up to par yet.
bigd7387 @ Jan 25th 2008 3:27PM
I am soo glad I purchased the 80gb 2 weeks ago today. I've been playing 360 the last couple of years but I do like all the built in features that the PS3 offers and for $500 it was a great bargin. I finally bought at the right time.
KurtM @ Jan 25th 2008 3:46PM
I own a 360. I love it. But noone is really showing my HDD add-on the same love. I'm looking to pick up a a 40gb ps3 for blu-ray and a few games, like MGS 4 of course. Plus i think the ps3 will pick up a lot of good stuff in 08. How do you upgrade the HDD to add storage? Links?
matthew_neitzer @ Jan 25th 2008 4:03PM
For PS3 or Xbox? For the Xbox, you buy an Xbox branded hard drive. For the PS3: http://www.gamersreports.com/article/43/
Also there was a video here on PS3 fanboy a while ago: http://playstation.joystiq.com/2007/11/28/video-ps3-hard-drive-replaced-in-minutes/
bigd7387 @ Jan 25th 2008 3:29PM
Your comment doesn't make any sense? You can't use a 40gb system to play PS2 games at all?
heckteck @ Jan 25th 2008 3:32PM
my launch 60GB (turn 120gb)is doing fine and i don't know ps2 BC was important for me i still play many games for the ps2.....but really if u have or plan on having a PS3 then you must have a ps2 already so really phasing out the 80GB wouldn't be that bad it's just if they do phase it out they better give all the perks to the 40GB version via the 4 usb ports
ScottH @ Jan 25th 2008 3:35PM
i guess, i bought my 80 gb instead of the 60 and 40.
Tom @ Jan 25th 2008 3:50PM
@hackteck - not everyone who has a PS3 also has a PS2.
I've got a European 60gb version and am really happy with it. Most PS2 games that I've tried upscale very well, though the graphics no longer look great in comparison with PS3 games...
I'm just looking forward to PlayTV now! When's it going to be released?
kankanman @ Jan 25th 2008 3:56PM
does anyone else have a controller whose PS button lights up red? because mine doesnt....
Popfrogs @ Jan 25th 2008 4:25PM
That's from old advertising. Supposedly some devs got ahold of the new dualshock3 and theirs lit up. However, until they land on american shores I can't be sure.
chasegamez @ Jan 25th 2008 4:03PM
they need 2 come out with a 120gb For $449
with any first party game
Skyfire360 @ Jan 25th 2008 3:57PM
Okay, I'm lookin' for some input here. I have two options:
1) Buy my friend's 60GB PS3 with R:FoM and a few sports games (that I won't play anyway) for $400.
Pros: R:FoM Included, PS2 BC, Memory card reader, Older system, so possible software exploits work on it, only $400
2) Buy new 40GB Ps3 from store for $400 (+ tax)
Pros: Brand new, Less power consumption, Spider-man 3, 5 blu-ray movies, Won't really use memory card reader, don't need the extra USB ports, latest internal hardware revision
Halp!
matthew_neitzer @ Jan 25th 2008 4:10PM
Well, that is kinda rough. I would say go with no. 1. It will take MONTHS to get those blu-ray movies, and in my opinion, most of them are not that good. Plus the are pretty cheap on amazon all the time. Resistance is a great game, imo. Also it can't hurt to have too many extras. I didn't think I would need PS2 BC, but it turned out that a game came out on PS2 that I really wanted. I was so glad I got the 60GB. Still, it is your decision.
Nate @ Jan 25th 2008 5:45PM
Take the 60 gig one. If you use the PS2 BC even once, it's worth it. Resistance is a great game (far better game than Spiderman 3 is as a movie), and the extra USB ports will be very useful for Rock Band if you ever buy it (and I think everyone should).
The difference in power consumption between the two is fairly negligible, and the reliability of a year old PS3 is 99% that of one brand new. They're rock solid. The hardware "improvements" are tiny and can't really do much to make the PS3 *more* stable than it already is.
John @ Jan 25th 2008 10:26PM
definately get your friend's 60gb. The ps3 has a ludicrously low failure rate of only .2%... (that's POINT 2, people!) so while buying the 40gb with no ps2 backwards compatibility gives you that "new console smell," you get the same reliability and way more features with the 60gb (spritzing it with a room deodorizer to cover up cigarette smells is not recommended, however)
B1gC72 - PSN: KillaKornbread @ Jan 26th 2008 6:26AM
option 1. no brainer. the 40GB is a very good deal but they havent really made any hardware revisions that would be that noticeable to you except the stuff they took out. i have a 60GB and love it. i also have Resistance and still play online on a regular basis with it. i got the 5 free Blu-ray movies with mine and it took MONTHS for them to finally show up and even then they had replaced the decent movies i asked for with so other crap i havent even opened yet.
now i have had 2 PS3's myself cause my first one kept overheating and locking up but i am in the minority and my second one has been working like a dream ever since. if he hasnt had any problems with his 60GB yet, then he probably wont. take the 60GB, it's certainly the better deal.
i am curious as to why he is getting rid of it though?
Kahuna310 @ Jan 25th 2008 6:58PM
Bought the 40Gb PS3 about a month ago. Love it. Still have my PS2 from a few yrs back. As soon as the PS3 came out, I lost complete desire to get new games for the PS2...Backwards compatability is overrated. Bring me games that look super sick in 1080p.
B1gC72 - PSN: KillaKornbread @ Jan 26th 2008 6:15AM
i hear ya man. people always make such a fuss about BC but most will never use it anyway. whenever i get a new console, i tuck the old one away in the closet first. after playing games on the PS3 in high def, my PS2 games are starting to hurt my eyes like PSOne games do now. i have a 60GB but trust me people, the 40GB is not a bad deal since you can upgrade all the other shortcomings it has for next to nothing.
Dehshizknight @ Jan 25th 2008 4:08PM
Well, this probably means that 40 GB is getting backwards-compatibility then since, if they phase out the 80 GB, they probably still want to stick with their backwards-compatibility thing.
Popfrogs @ Jan 25th 2008 4:26PM
Or they want to finish putting nails in the PS2 coffin, right about the time the PS3 gets some hard-hitting AAA games like MGS4, Killzone2 and FFXIII. It's a curse for Sony....people just won't stop buying the PS2 and companies keep on making games for it.
John @ Jan 25th 2008 10:34PM
Interesting observation from Popfrogs. I got my 60gb a little less than a year ago, and at the time it was very important I have backwards compatibility, which I used during that slow time. Now, the only thing I might use it for is I hear that "Ratchet and Clank-- Size Matters" is coming to PS2. Can't believe I'm going to go out and buy a PS2 game! But I'm glad my ps3 will be able to play it. (And I still occasionally play GT4 when I'm hyped for Prologue and it's not available in the US)
BananaBoat @ Jan 25th 2008 4:08PM
I've got the 80, but I only bought it because I got a 100 dollar rebate on it (thus I got the 80 for the price of the 40). I think dropping all backwards compatibility is a shame, and it's annoying to think that they won't be making updates to the BC functionality that is already there. Oh well....that's life. I did confirm that my PS3 plays every single PS2 game I own, so that's good.
XanthouS @ Jan 25th 2008 4:09PM
My girlfriend and my two closest friends just picked up PS3s in the last couple weeks. They each approached me about the decision between a 40gig and an 80gig, and looking and each of their situations, the 40gig made more sense. The only drawback was my friend who picked up the Rock Band bundle with his system. He had to shell out for a USB hub. It was just a matter of time before the 80 went bye-bye.
Fewer SKUs is better for everyone. Less inventory, less manufacturing concerns, less consumer confusion.
sracer @ Jan 25th 2008 5:45PM
That's the thing that I don't understand. People keep recommending the 40GB model and then a powered USB hub to get more USB ports. A quality powered USB hub is going to cost $50. Is it really worth saving $50 to have the 40GB w/external USB hub?
mberkowitz @ Jan 25th 2008 4:53PM
Skyfire, I would base your decision on whether or not you need PS2 BC. If its not that important than go with #2. Its nice owning a brand new system. That whole power consumption is a bunch of BS. I've had mine on for hours and it always works fine. BTW spiderman 3 should not influence your decision or the blu ray offer. Honestly though, IMO, I always buy the best option so that I never have regrets in that I wished I had purchased the better version. Thats why I went ahead and got the 80GB version.
Spoony @ Jan 25th 2008 4:48PM
Those are developer only controllers the dual shocks do not light up either.
Mango @ Jan 25th 2008 4:48PM
The 60GB and 80GB models are loud. My next door neighbor has one that I hear pretty much every day. You can hear it plain as day. Not as bad as 360, but can be close to the same under heavy load.
My 40GB makes the ever so slightest whirring noise that I can hear only when there is absolutely NO NOISE whatsoever. It's basically 99% silent. The 40GB is MUCH MUCH MUCH quieter. Anyone who says otherwise is wrong. Find out for yourself if you have friends with PS3s.