New Blu-ray laser could cut PS3 costs further

by Nick Doerr { Jan 26th 2008 at 6:30PM }

What's better than a giant blue laser? A tiny blue laser, especially when we're referring to the laser slapped into the PlayStation 3 during manufacturing. A new Blu-ray laser has been created that could significantly lower the cost of production as well as look a lot cooler than the fatty laser being used currently.

This is, of course, assuming Sony places the laser in the console. Who knows -- maybe Sony will stick the new laser into systems without saying anything. It'll help their bottom line and get our systems running more ... efficiently? Or a price cut and new SKU will get announced. It's anyone's guess.

[Via Joystiq]

Tags: blu-ray, nichia, sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Hashbrown_Hunter @ Jan 26th 2008 6:45PM

They'd actually start making money on the 40GB, because right now the PS3 costs $400 to manufacture.

Edge @ Jan 26th 2008 6:54PM

Why does "smaller" equal "cheaper"? Laptops cost more than desktops for equivalent performance.

Now, if the headline read "Cheaper Blu-ray Laser", then you might have something.

leiwei @ Jan 26th 2008 7:26PM

If the new laser is smaller, thus using less materials to produce and less space to use in the console, then it's possible for Sony to lower the cost of production of the console itself, and probably in a sense slash prices for consumers. As long as Sony doesn't miniaturize the console itself into a PS3slim, then it won't be more expensive. Aside from that, even if they do, it'll probably be the same price point as the "fatter" console. Smaller laptops are meant to be more expensive because of miniaturization of hardware into an ultra portable package. If you don't care for the ultra portability, just get yourself a $500-600 average Dell or HP which functions pretty much better or almost as well as a desktop alternative. On the plus side, you can tell yourself that you can lug the computer around with you on the go.

Justin @ Jan 26th 2008 7:37PM

On a different article I read about this, the laser IS cheaper to produce.

Edge @ Jan 26th 2008 8:09PM

Fair enough. The original article that Joystiq references did say cheaper.

tkbaby13 @ Jan 26th 2008 7:58PM

sources justin?

Justin @ Jan 26th 2008 8:31PM

Sony has to be in a pretty good mood lately. Not only is their Blu-ray format winning the war, but the company has managed to shrink the Blu-ray laser to a size just shy of 3mm thick. What's that mean? The technology is finally small enough for 9.5mm laptop drives (which could lead to a smaller PS3 design), but maybe even more importantly, the lasers are cheaper and easier to produce (whether or not this cost savings was included in Sony's recent $400 PS3 manufacturing estimate is unknown). Oh, and for film buffs, the new lasers can read organic dye, allowing current DVD plants to more easily retool for Blu-ray production. All in all, this is nothing but good news for everyone.

Source: http://kotaku.com/348968/sony-shrinks-blu+ray-laser-sharks-to-follow

leiwei @ Jan 27th 2008 3:32AM

Hey Justin, i didn't read any of the other links yet, but Panasonic actually announced (or probably even already released in Japan) the world's thinnest BD drive....

for laptops.

It was announced a couple months back so they may have attributed to this new (maybe new?) smaller laser. AFAIK panasonic, samsung, and sony contributed development of bd but I'm not sure which company puts more research into it.

massive_98 @ Jan 26th 2008 7:39PM

When I read the words "who knows" I was expecting something like: Who knows, maybe Sony well send this laser to the moon. But your line was good too.

Kspraydad @ Jan 26th 2008 8:47PM

If this new laser was any where near being IN a PS3 there would have to be a FCC filing.

There have been no new PS3 filings at FCC since the 40GB months ago.

Ruben @ Jan 26th 2008 9:26PM

Yes there has been FCC filings recently, more specificly last week where a White PS3 was discovered.
http://playstation.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/fcc-filing-for-ps3-updated-with-white-model/

miglaugh @ Jan 26th 2008 9:48PM

ooooooh, burn!

Kspraydad @ Jan 27th 2008 12:50AM

@Rueben...

Actually...the story of the white PS3 is not a NEW filing...someone went back to the ORIGINAL 40GB filing and found that when the photo set up was released it was the white one...so, no, there have been NO NEW FILINGS since the 40GB...

You could have EASILY seen this if you followed the link to FCC from your link ... the FCC filing is from OCT...only the photo was updated in January to reveal the white.

FCC does not have to approve a color change but they would have to approve a laser change.

PS...I'm the fellow that first posted about the 40GB machine (as far as all my searching shows me) here a full two weeks before many sites picked up the story:

http://www.thesimexchange.com/community-comment.php?id=12568&r=2624

If you search the archives you'll also see I broke the news on the 80GB way back when too. Kotaku 'broke' the story after I tipped them. (Colin = Kspraydad) http://kotaku.com/gaming/sony/sony-working-on-ps3-elite-model-247972.php

@miglaugh.

Um...not so burned actually. Since I'm right.

Thanks. That is all.

9m @ Jan 26th 2008 10:04PM

Well what about people who already own PS3s these updates are all good but people who already own PS3s wont be gettin them so whats the point?

Well I dont own 1 but my cousin does and he thinks its unfair and I do too

I'm getting an 80GB in feburary I dont wanna hear from one of my friends yo you should have waited you would have gotten a better PS3 with 100+GB and new technology.

I like that they are making new tech to make the PS3 better but when are they gonna stop they are fine it should be 360(which I own) making new shit to remedy the problems they have

9m @ Jan 26th 2008 10:19PM

What about the old PS3 user

9m @ Jan 26th 2008 10:31PM

Alright I think this is just unfair to pppl who already PS3 why are they making all the updates now I mean come on 360 is the system that really needs updates not PS3

Personally I dont own one but I'm planning on gettin one in feburary and I dont want to hear my friends sayingI should have waited for a PS3 because they made this new SKU or added some new shit into it that would made stuff better for the last batch.

if you dont understand where Im gettin at im just saying when are they gonna stay with one thing and keep it so after hearing that they may discontinue the 80Gb the one I plan on buying im just saying it seems type unfair to old pS3 users

brettjr @ Jan 26th 2008 10:43PM

If they make another SKU, I'm seriously jumping ship.

Hashbrown_Hunter @ Jan 27th 2008 2:43AM

Why would they make a new SKU? It's only a laser being made smaller.

B1gC72 - PSN: KillaKornbread @ Jan 27th 2008 3:06AM

"A new blu-ray laser has been created that could significantly lower the cost of production as well as look a lot cooler than the fatty laser being used currently."

how the hell will it look a lot cooler? its all internal hardware that you wouldnt see unless you cracked the console open. but anyway, it is good news whenever there is a possibility for Sony to save some money since that money can in turn be spent elsewhere on games or something.

Fraser JK @ Jan 27th 2008 4:42AM

It has only taken a few months to reach a point where the things you hear about the PS3 are positive... Things are looking good, really good man!

ChrisIVX @ Jan 27th 2008 9:08AM

Justin's "Oh, and for film buffs, the new lasers can read organic dye, allowing current DVD plants to more easily retool for Blu-ray production. All in all, this is nothing but good news for everyone."

This surely means we will not be able to read these DVD-come-BluRays with our older lasers, which won't be able to read this "Organic Dye" - we are screwed.

Aalaap @ Jan 27th 2008 11:37AM

I'm not worried about the price as much as I am about the size of the PS3 right now... damn that thing is HUGE!

I already have a PS3, yes, but I might have run through it by the time this slimmer, smaller, cheaper PS3 comes into the market...

Jason B. @ Jan 27th 2008 2:58PM

PS3 Slim to be released later next year. You heard it here first.

nihillasohen @ Jan 27th 2008 9:06PM

I really don’t see it as a surprise that Sony is actively working on making the PS3 smaller and cheaper. If you look back at the PSone, PS2, and PSP, they have all gone through these changes. The 360 went through some alterations recently so it wouldn’t crap out on people. Since the beginning the blu-ray laser was one of the most expensive and time consuming components being manufactured. It was cutting edge tech when the PS3 was launched and now it’s being standardized.