Sony offers 'no comment' on 80GB phase out reports

  • Posted January 28th, 2008 at 05:21 EDT by Mike Harradence
  • 3,770 views
  • 18 Comments

A representative for Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) has refused to comment on speculation indicating that the company is planning on discontinuing its 80GB PlayStation 3 console in North America.

Rumours materialised late last week, where a number of popular US retail chains, including Best Buy and GameStop, reported that they would no longer be stocking the 80GB machine, which launched last August.

However, speaking in an email to Wired, a spokesperson for Sony commented: "I caught up with all of the posts and news last night, and as you know, we don't comment on rumors and speculation."

Despite this, retailers are remaining firm in their belief that the 80GB version will soon be phased out, leaving only the recently introduced 40GB unit.

Stay tuned for any further development as we get them.

Source: QJ.net

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Comments

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What are your thoughts?

  1. princevegeta1980

    • 5:30am GMT - January 28th, 2008
    • 1

    i'm so glad i brought my 60gb on day one, but i think that i'll be expanding my hard drive soon, especially with all the games that i'm gonna buy not to mention games like ut3 which will need more place on the hard drive to reduce charging time, just need to find a descent site on the internet to up grade mine

  2. richkaos | richkaos

    • 5:34am GMT - January 28th, 2008
    • 2

    dont know what all the hoo har is about, but the only dissapointing thing is that there still maybe some people out there who would like to pay the extra to get the extra USB ports, backwards compatibility and card readers. Why dont they just do a 160gb model with all the bells and whistles for those who want it. or do they believe that those who wanted all the frills bought one on day one. Or they could do a 40gb model with all the bits.

  3. MrMiller

    • 5:45am GMT - January 28th, 2008
    • 3

    Why doesn't Sony just say if they are or not.  I mean seriously now, what is not to comment on?  Sony is sure hush hush about this whole thing, they really shouldn't be though.  This is just making them look lame thats all.

  4. MrAce | mrace

    • 5:50am GMT - January 28th, 2008
    • 4

    Well there you go its just a rumour. I don't see why they will be phasing out the 80gb in the first place. Better Buy and gamestop may have stopped stocking them due to profit margins. Why spend a fortune stocking 80gb models when most people will/may opt for the cheaper model? They probably don't have much faith in the 80gb selling as well as the 40gb. Its got nothing to do with disontinuation, its just a business move.

  5. JstuFly | JstuFly

    • 6:17am GMT - January 28th, 2008
    • 5

    im glad i got the 60gb model, sony should keep the 80 gig for those who want the bigger hdd, backward compatibility and 4 usb ports. Also, 40 gig just doesnt cut it for me when it comes to memory, which is why i upgraded my hdd to 300gb!

  6. Kane | walle

    • 7:28am GMT - January 28th, 2008
    • 6

    I got the 60 Gb model on launch day. But due to a delayed repair I got it changed for a 40 Gb model plus an extra $170. I think it was worth it. But it feels a bit odd that, even though I'm a big PS3 supporter, I have the cheapest model on the market. Whatever. It's the best for the money.

  7. leeman99 | Bedsidelee

    • 8:13am GMT - January 28th, 2008
    • 7

    According to various other sites it believed that a statement was made by best buys reguarding the ps3 and it's believed the product is being pulled due to poor sales unfortunately, but the 40 gig ps3 is doing well.

  8. Towelie

    • 10:41am GMT - January 28th, 2008
    • 8

    Of course they're going to be hush hush! That's business! Do you think anyone is going to buy the remaining 80gigs if people already know that Sony is going to introduce a 120gig and Dualshock 3 for the same price, no! That would be dumb on their part.

  9. gingo | gingo

    • 11:35am GMT - January 28th, 2008
    • 9

    psn id: gingo.... probably true, sony will settle with the 40GB until they price cut it then they will bring out a newer version with a much larger hard drive thats how it works

  10. kidkotic2001 | hotshot2001

    • 12:09pm GMT - January 28th, 2008
    • 10

    Im so glad I got a 60gb on day one but I got warranty with bestbuy and I if it does breakdown I dont want a 40gb im sorry to say but that is a cheap piece of yall konw what.  No readers only two usbs and no BC if that does happend I will just get money back because thats what besbuy does, I will get a WII or hold off to see if they do come out with a new sku.

  11. Amras

    • 12:11pm GMT - January 28th, 2008
    • 11

    I have a 60gb PS3 and I think it is the best one out there.  And not because that is the one I have.  The defference of hdd space means nothing to me, I've only used 17 GB, though I do think I'll want to upgraid it to 160 or maybe 250 once you can do your own soundtracks with in game XMB.  And it has the replicated PS2 chip.  I have never had a problem playing any of my PS1 or 2 games, and I have quite a number of them.  I have a friend who has a 80gb SKU and 3 PS2 games, and only one of them works.  I know a decent portion of the games work, but not enough for me.

  12. Uncool | Admodistrator

    • 2:01pm GMT - January 28th, 2008
    • 12

    I still don't understand when Sony ordeded the withholding shipments of the 80gig. It was going pretty well right? Not sure if this means another price cut or some new strategy they have in store.

  13. Sunshine_Killer | SunshineKiller

    • 2:13pm GMT - January 28th, 2008
    • 13

    sorta dumb if u ask me.  didnt the 80 just happened this last summer?  just keep it at 40 and 80.  stop introducing and getting rid of systems.

  14. InfernoReaper | GrimDarkling

    • 4:50pm GMT - January 28th, 2008
    • 14

    Sony should introduce a new console with no BC but with card readers, 160GB HDD, DualShock 3, $10 PSN card, 4 USB ports, and a new game (DMC4, AoT, GT5:P) for $499.

    And now the emulation job Sony needed filled will come into play...

  15. terminator12259 | tacitassassin25

    • 5:35pm GMT - January 28th, 2008
    • 15

    @princevegeta try amazon.com, and look at the mini maxtor, they have 160gb for around 100, there are also 250gb out there but i dont know how much they are. if you dont know how to switch it out just search for ps3 hdd upgrade

  16. nevertell | nevertell

    • 11:21pm GMT - January 28th, 2008
    • 16

    i have the 80gb myself.  i dont know if that means possible trouble for me in the future if i have a problem with it. hopefully if that happens, they will have already released the 120gb or 160gb and they will replace it with one of those versions.  but i hope it never comes down to that.

  17. frank_magnet | Frank_Magnt

    • 4:34am GMT - January 29th, 2008
    • 17

    I'm surprised they dont just stick with the 40gb version and just release different sized official hard drives seperately. hmmm... maybe i should work for Sonys marketing department.

  18. Alpha2

    • 7:53pm GMT - February 1st, 2008
    • 18

    Because the 40gb is a gimped abortion of a system in comparison to the 60 and 80gb models. If you really want the things the PS3 is capable of you get the more expensive version. Why force people to get something they DONT want?

     

    They dont want to comment about it because they havent decided what to say yet. They could be giving us a larger drive. they could be improving other specs, they could be adding the DS3 and several other changes to the 80gb package but it's pointless for them to talk about it until the box is finalized. In fact I wouldnt be surprised if the comments they've read about the 80gb cancellation have helped them decide what to put in the new SKU, which means the DS3 is a high probability since EVERYone has pretty much said that's what they think should be in it.

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