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Sony Firm On PS3 Pricing

Reuters has some last minute discussion on the high price of the PS3, as well as their plans for shipping 2 million units by December. From the article: "'We are very comfortable with the pricing we have announced and have gotten tremendous support from retailers for that price point,' Hirai said on the sidelines of the Dow Jones VentureWire Consumer Technology Conference. 'So it is full steam ahead with the pricing of $499 and $599.'"

11 of 84 comments (clear)

  1. That's good...Good, good for them by Control+Group · · Score: 4, Insightful

    'We are very comfortable with the pricing we have announced and have gotten tremendous support from retailers for that price point,'

    Well, it's certainly comforting to know that the stores like the price.

    I wonder if the consumers will.

    --

    Reality has a conservative bias: it conserves mass, energy, momentum...
  2. Price / Console differences by harryk · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Ok, I'm sure I can find the details online, but I've got a quickie question for those that will be buying the PS3 next week.

    What is going to entice you to but the PS3 Premium, as opposed to the Basic? The basic will have the HDMI port, a 20gig drive (versus 60 right?) etc... etc...

    So what exactly will you be 'getting' that you just have to have for an extra $100?

    --
    think before you write, it'll save me moderator points.
    1. Re: Price / Console differences by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

      Reply to 16788287:

      I haven't made up my mind yet on the basic vs. premium issue, but the benefits to my mind are an extra 40 gigs of storage and built-in wireless. As the apartment I'm living in right now is served only by whole-building wireless, the latter feature is pretty useful.

  3. In other words by rlp · · Score: 5, Funny

    The retailers like it, Sony likes it, and two out of three ain't bad.

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    [Insert pithy quote here]
    1. Re: In other words by Hijacked+Public · · Score: 5, Insightful
      by jimstapleton (999106) on Thursday November 09, @03:03PM (#16788335)
      so, basically, the standard capitolism mantra: "Screw the consumer"

      You are so correct. I would much rather the government just took my money at gunpoint, delivered a PS3 to my home whenever they got around to it, and called that a service.

      --
      "Sacrifice for the good of The State" - The State
  4. The REAL question is.... by Rockman-X · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ...after the "hardcore" gamers (who think the console is worth the price) have bought their PS3s, will the general public (parents who will buy a game console for their kids) be "comfortable" with the price? Heck... will they even find one in the stores, since Sony doesn't seem to be capable of building the machines in time? Yeah, perhaps the price right now is just a minor issue for Sony.

  5. Kaz = Kerry by RSquaredW · · Score: 5, Funny

    Like John Kerry before the midterm elections, somebody needs to stop these Sony execs from talking to anyone for a few weeks.

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    In accordance with E.O. 12958, this post is marked Unclassified.
  6. Consumers are weird. by thatguywhoiam · · Score: 4, Insightful
    This is not a justification for the PS3 price. I think its high. But I do think this phenomenon is interesting.)

    Fabulous new mobile phone, lots of bells and whistles = people happily pay $500

    Fabulous new video iPod, lots of nice features = people giddily pay $500

    Fabulous new game console, nex-gen features = people freak out, say $500 is way way too much.

    --
    If Jesus wants me it knows where to find me.
  7. I'm firm too... by VitrosChemistryAnaly · · Score: 4, Funny

    Firm on the fact that $600 is too-damned-much to pay for a gaming system!

    Seriously, for that much money the games better knock my socks off and the console better massage my prostate.

    --
    "It's a tarp!" -- Dyslexic Admiral Ackbar
  8. Re:One quote sums it all up by Stormwatch · · Score: 4, Insightful
    "The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." (1 Timothy 6:10)

    "To love a thing is to know and love its nature. To love money is to know and love the fact that money is the creation of the best power within you, and your passkey to trade your effort for the effort of the best among men. It's the person who would sell his soul for a nickel, who is loudest in proclaiming his hatred of money -- and he has good reason to hate it. The lovers of money are willing to work for it. They know they are able to deserve it. --- AYN RAND
  9. odd examples you've picked. by poot_rootbeer · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Fabulous new mobile phone, lots of bells and whistles = people happily pay $500

    Personally, I would never pay more than about $300 for a mobile phone, and that's only if it's an all-in-one wonder like a Treo with built-in PDA/internet/bluetooth/flashlight/screwdriver/etc. If the hardware costs more than that, I expect the carrier to subsidize it as consideration for my decision to enter a service contract with them.

    Fabulous new video iPod, lots of nice features = people giddily pay $500

    The current top-of-the-line iPod model (5G 80GB) sells for only $350.

    Fabulous new game console, nex-gen features = people freak out, say $500 is way way too much.

    There's no point in comparing a game console to a mobile phone or an MP3 player, though. That's an apples-to-figs-to-coconuts comparison.

    For a meaningful, Braeburn-to-Red-Delicious-type comparison, one has to evaluate the PS3 in the context of other game consoles. No game console with a entry price above $300 has ever been a success--EVER.