Sony cuts production cost of PS3, may give Xbox 360 run for its money
By Jonathan Schlaffer
Ever since Sony released the PS3, the company was blasted for including features that “no one” wanted. The Blu-Ray drive just appeared to make the device all the more expensive, HDMI outputs and WiFi added to the cost of the unit as well. A little over a year later, it appears as though the company knew exactly what it was doing.
When the PS3 was released not as many people had HDTVs as they do now, no one had heard of HDMI and it was just this big ugly expensive black box and there still aren’t many good games for it.
Relief may be just around the bend according to Business Week. Sony has managed to cut production costs of the PS3 from $800 to just over $400. A 50% reduction in manufacturing means that a price cut should be announced at some point.
With a few good titles due to release this year and with Blu-Ray having all but won the format wars, the PS3 may be destined to become everyone’s second favorite console next to the Wii.
Microsoft NEEDS and no, NOT should or could but NEEDS to integrate WiFi into the Xbox 360, charging $100 for the adapter goes beyond ludicrous at this point. Sure, the HD-DVD drive is a nice add on and works with your PC but will anyone want it now? Doubtful.
It’s too early to say what Microsoft will do but just six months ago I would have said that a Blu-Ray drive for the Xbox 360 would be insane and now, maybe not so much.
Sony was in it for the long haul and it looks like we’re starting to get everything (well, some) of what the company promised so long ago.
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January 12th, 2008
Well done Sony. Give us more innovate stuffs.
January 12th, 2008
the system is done now the games!! give me the MGS4 and GT5 and i’m godd for years to come LOL.well not really i still wan’t killzone 2 even tho the first one was not good and don’t forget about getaway 3 =)
January 12th, 2008
ur gay
ralph
January 12th, 2008
Well..Microsoft is waiting for this one! Sony cannot compete with that blueray thing inside of it. Microsoft had had the plan right plan all along. Remember Napster!!! It’s all about the downloads man!! It all about the download…Plus as we speak, you can purchase a Toshiba HDVD player from Amazon plus 7 free movies for 129.99…What a deal!!
January 12th, 2008
Jason ur an idiot, it,s a deal cause there will be no more HDDVD in 6 months
January 12th, 2008
jason STFU please that is a deal that no one wants.
Anyway sony knew WTF they were doing the whole time its all going to according to plan muhahahaha
January 12th, 2008
I don’t think you get it Jason. Try downloading a 23 GB game in the US. You see, Blu-ray isn’t just about movies you can over-compress and pretend they look good. It’s about games, backups, home movies, etc…
It seemed obvious to a lot of people that Sony had it right. People were just blinded by hype and American bias.
January 12th, 2008
^^Pretty crappy deal if HD-DVD has lost.
January 12th, 2008
Downloads lol, give me a break. Movies download will replace rental, but will not replace physical formats.
January 12th, 2008
I have always known Sony was thinking ahead to keep customers happy in the long run. The Xbox360 is going to end up like the original xbox which no one ever heres about unlike the PS2 which still runs strong. The Xbox’s CPU architecture is so much easier to write for and so it wouldnt be doubtful to expect much of the Xbox360’s power being harrnessed with todays games like GOW. PS3 on the other hand has only been used to around 40% of its true power. downloads will never compete with dvd, let alone blu-ray. If you can download it, its most likely downloadable for free somewhere on the net.
January 12th, 2008
Downloads are replacing music CD’s… MP3’s revolutionized the Music industry.
Who knows what can happen in 2-3 years, maybe some guy will develop a new way to format movies and make them small enough for downloads.
January 12th, 2008
Ok, downloading may be good, but, what about the people that don’t have internet connection? Did Microsoft, yet alone Bill Gates, thought about that one? I mean, I still have friends that don’t have internet connection. Sony, on the other hand, thought well. Not only about intergrating Blu-ray from the start on the PS3, but putting the Playstation store on the PS3 and the internet. That way, any friend of mine that wants a video, wallpaper, themes (I guess. Haven’t tried that one yet), or something else that is on the PSN can go to anybodys computer and download it into a pendrive or memorystick and put it in his PS3. Of course, he can download it with a PS ID. Only a email, password, info and that’s it. You know, that’s a life saver for some of my pals. So, Bill, come with another idea. I think your idea is only 40% complete, buddy.
Another thing about Blu-ray is that people keep saying that is a waste of money. My girlfriend, XBOX 360 owner, said that to me. But, she didn’t compaint when she saw Live Free or DIe Hard on my 32″ LG LCD T.V. and home theater system on my home on MY you-payed-extra-money-for-nothing PS3. While she cannot watch a HD-DVD movie because she has to buy the add-on. Also, she cannot enter on the web directly from her 360 and download Divx movies, or, WMV clips from gametrailes.com, or, gamespot.com. So much for me waisting money, huh? Now that sucks. Anyways, Sony, keep doing what you’re doing. Not only a great console, but, a great entertainment system. Gotta go Blu, gotta play beyond. PEACE!!!
January 12th, 2008
Ok, downloading may be good, but, what about the people that don’t have internet connection? Did Microsoft, yet alone Bill Gates, thought about that one? I mean, I still have friends that don’t have internet connection. Sony, on the other hand, thought well. Not only about intergrating Blu-ray from the start on the PS3, but putting the Playstation store on the PS3 and the internet. That way, any friend of mine that wants a video, wallpaper, themes (I guess. Haven’t tried that one yet), or something else that is on the PSN can go to anybodys computer and download it into a pendrive or memorystick and put it in his PS3. Of course, he can download it with a PS ID. Only a email, password, info and that’s it. You know, that’s a life saver for some of my pals. So, Bill, come with another idea. I think your idea is only 40% complete, buddy.
Another thing about Blu-ray is that people keep saying that is a waste of money. My girlfriend, XBOX 360 owner, said that to me. But, she didn’t compaint when she saw Live Free or DIe Hard on my 32″ LG LCD T.V. and home theater system on my home on MY you-payed-extra-money-for-nothing PS3. While she cannot watch a HD-DVD movie because she has to buy the add-on. Also, she cannot enter on the web directly from her 360 and download Divx movies, or, WMV clips from gametrailes.com, or, gamespot.com. So much for me waisting money, huh? Now that sucks. Anyways, Sony, keep doing what you’re doing. Not only a great console, but, a great entertainment system. Gotta go Blu, gotta play beyond. PEACE!!
January 12th, 2008
LOL, even they give me a PS3 for free, i will not take it, All PS3 games are crap, even MGS4 will not save the piece of shit PS3
January 13th, 2008
Think about it… if they knew this was coming, why would they remove backwards compatibility.
Smoke and mirrors, kids.
January 13th, 2008
Sony is going under…they make good cameras and televisions….thats about it…You can’t compete with a software company on their own turf…Plus Microsoft knows what the gamers want..Look at the games that are flowing out of the box…Every week they are announcing new games….no exclusives for the PS3 anymore..Every gamer magazine give excellent scores to Xbox 360 games…A few PS3 games made some good comparisons…nothing like the 360…downloading is where it’s you guys…infinate levels in any game…extra content…live video feed….cable television…all of this powered by software that Microsoft will write…you just don’t understand….whewwww…
January 13th, 2008
heheehehh!!! MGS4 is a very good everybody knows that!!! stupid!
January 13th, 2008
Sony were thinking ahead with their shiny black box. The console is expected to last 10 years, like it’s predecessors and the machines superior features illustrate excellence and dynamic forward planning.
However, the new “scaled-down” version sans backwards-compatibility is ridiculous. The PS3 sets a great standard in modern technology and gaming. It shouldn’t be reduced in it’s capabilities to satisfy people’s ability to be tight bastards.
Technology = Good
January 13th, 2008
James, the PS3 has more upcomming exclusives than the 360. Do your research mate.
not only that but the 360 is constantly losing exclusives to the PC.
Sony made an all round package. I’m even typing this on my PS3 as it plays music in the background.
If you are still pushing the “no games” argument then you are realy out of the loop! The PS3 has more games than i can afford.
also PSN is about more than updated old games, we get inovative new titles!
January 13th, 2008
All you 360 fanboyz are worried now that you made a big mistake buying the poorly made xbox360. I had 360 originally and it died three days later , luckily i got smarter and refused a replacement and got my money back. Then I went out and bought a 60 gb ps3 and it is well made and has been great. Sony is known for quality products and their video game consoles are no different. Free online, wifi built in, bluray player , wireless controllers you recharge through usb, awesome graphics, and yes great games like call of duty 4 ,Uncharted Drakes Fortune, Ratchet & Clank are just the start. Weep 360 fanboys we are gonna kick your asses.
January 13th, 2008
Xbox will be the first HiDef to the magical price of $199. Then the xbox will sell like hotcakes on sunday morning! And xbox live will be the TROJAN HORSE!!
January 13th, 2008
@storm: Only noobs think that MGS4 won’t be the best game.
@Thinkmoore: They removed backwards compatibility because they know that there are 120+ million PS2 owners out there. Why do you need B.C. if you have a PS2? And if you don’t have a PS2, buy one. They’re like $100 now, so there’s no excuse. Plus, you have the option to buy the software driven B.C. consoles. It’s about choice. People with a PS2 may not want to pay $600 for B.C. This way they get to save $200 they can use for games.
@James: Another quality of being a noob is comparing a 2 year old system to a 1 year old system. You gave the 3FixMe a chance to shine, and yet don’t want to give the PS3 a chance? Probably because you know that the 3FixMe will be crushed under the weight of the PS3. It already RROD’s just from touching it. Enjoy paying for all that extra content that isn’t worth the price. Plus, with the way they handled Vista, I wouldn’t be too confident in Microsoft software. Even Bill Gates said it sucks. AND they ripped off Mac OSX to make it.
@Stubaca: It’s about the 120+ million PS2 owners, not about the tight asses. Though I agree with you.
January 13th, 2008
I dont understand why the WII is that popular.. I have 3 friends with one and IT just collects dust.. The wii is a trend buy.. like beenie babies and Tickle me elmo.. Most people wont even buy the game the wii is important for aka smash bros and mario kart.. Ps3 will soon be on top and xbox will lag behind just like always..
January 13th, 2008
I like how all the xbox3shitty fagboyz were talkin about hd dvd being superior and had all ready won the format war 3 months ago, now its dl content is the way to go … get off bill gates jock
January 14th, 2008
@ Dragonfag24 … Oh yeah..Thats why he is billionaire and you are not. …Figures….Xbox is slowly evolving into a very efficient piece of hardware. Make no mistake about it, it will dominate with live alone and you know it! All software companies borrow ideas from each other. But who owns 90 percent of the worlds desktop software…hmmm…let you figure that one out yourself…..Downloadable content is something Playstation doesn’t have enough of…I’m sure your just upset because you look a live and go daaayummmmmmm, what is all that stuff? Hahahahahaaaaaaa
January 14th, 2008
@ Gmoney
All of the Xbox 360 owners are just enjoying all the games and the excitement of Live you hater!!!
HaHAHAHAHA
Go somewhere and play your Gaystation 3 with no content!!
January 14th, 2008
Um, quick reminder…18 million 360’s to, at the most, 6 million ps3’s…..look at the scoreboard sony fanboys before u speak…
January 14th, 2008
@James you say Sony can’t beat MS at software, because it’s their turf. But then what makes you think M$ can beat Sony on hardware?
Because consoles are hardware ya know!
@Chris take a look at how much they’ve sold when you align their starting points. Then tell me if the one year (+ three months for worldwide release) period between the consoles makes a difference.
http://vgchartz.com/hwlaunch.php
now don’t start with the wii just because you can’t justify your claims about the 360
January 14th, 2008
In a years time the xbox 3shitty will be a a dinosaur and the PS3 will rule the console market. Shame M$ rushed the 3shitty out to try and beat the PS3 on sales. Maybe if they had waited and incorporated up to date technology they wouldnt have to be releasing expensive addons like wi-fi and HD-DVD. Sorry but having titles as download only because the drive wont take anything above a 9.7GB DVD is gonna send the 3shitty to the scrap heap. Games developers are going to say Urmmmmmmmmmm nah in favor of a much more capable media format. M$ will probably respond by releasing yet another “Elite” (pmsl) system with a HD-DVD player built in (it certainly wont be Blu-ray Hahahahaha) and wi-fi enabled just to keep up. How will you feel then having to buy a newer version of the 3shitty? More money for the rip off merchants at M$. The tide has turned for you 3shitty owners. PS3 is the future.
January 14th, 2008
@ katz(cunt)
Did you know that Microsoft wrote the VC1 encoding standard that is being used to encode HDDVD and Blu-Ray disks….What makes you think that Microsoft won’t go back and tweak that same software and encode movies that are only 4 gb with the same quality and are downloaded by Xbox Live users only…hahaha…Hard Media is history!! There is a 1 terabyte internal hard drive for sale at Circuit City for $299. And you say the HDDVD and Bluray are 50 GB each? Cars are starting to appear with hard drives now…Hmmmmm..the writing is on the wall…hahahahaha
January 14th, 2008
The PS3 has still quite a bit to go before calling itself the premiere “game” console. Things to be addressed:
1.) Who cares if only 40% of the HW is being used? If someone can’t utilize it easily, it’s a paperweight. Programmers shouldn’t have to learn some pseudo-licensed language because Sony doesn’t want to have something everyone already uses. Would it have been hard to make an easy interface?
2.) Better exclusives such as MGS4. Drake’s Uncharted Fortune is another Indy ripoff. Overrated gameplay shadowed by graphics hype. I only see MGS4, GT5, and wow nothing else in the near future. Cross-platform games don’t count because most of them run much better, smoother on the other platform.
3.) Stop pushing movies. The last PS3 ad showed Blu-ray movies rather than what it was made for. It is so sad that a game station is being advertised as a movie player. Then again, marketing schemes….
4.) The return of the rumble. It was pathetic that they lied like usual so fanboys can’t complain about Bill’s tactics. Six Axis sucks. DualShock3 will be good.
5.) Trimming the system. They have already started it to make it competitive. Keep two models, regular and jacked up.
#2 is the most important because guess what, even if Bluray wins, Microsoft can add it to their system if necessary.