New 40GB PS3 sighted
Sony roll out the big guns
In addition to the price drop for the 60GB model, Sony today introduced a new 40GB PS3 package. The lower cost PS3 brings the majority of the PS3’s features to a wider market. The only corners cut to achieve the new price are the absence of two USB ports and multi-memory slots. The new 40GB PS3 will be available from 10th October.
This new model is crucial for Sony as it significantly lowers the barrier for entry into their next generation console. Not only this but it also provides a product at the same price as the 360 Elite, but with the addition of the Blu-Ray player and built in wireless connectivity. The statement seemed to suggest that the system would also lose its PS2 backward compatibility, although we understand this to be referencing the hardware rather than software emulation. Time will tell how this feature shakes down.
Sony highlights the importance of this announcement by re-iterating that it gives them "a brand new 40GB machine that represents an excellent entry point into the world of high definition games and movies, and we have the fully featured 60GB machine being offered with two next-generation gaming experiences at a highly competitive price."
David Reeves, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe highlighted that these changes came directly from listening to their customers. "The introduction of the new PS3 has been the result of extensive research into the entertainment needs and preferences of the next-generation PS3 owners."
The new console will retail for 299 GBP.
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