Sony May Be Planning 80GB PS3

narramissic writes "Included in a filing made by Sony to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) earlier this month regarding a change to the PlayStation 3's Bluetooth module is notification of a new PS3 game console with a higher-capacity hard-disk drive. From the cover letter: 'The model CECHE01 to be added by the difference of the capacity of hard disk.' It then says the new model will have an 80G-byte drive. Of course, Sony is downplaying these rumours, saying that 'Application to the FCC has been made with various possibilities in mind, however, it does not lead to a new product announcement at this time.'

Comments

What's the point?

[CastrTroy]

What's the point of the big hard drives on the XBox 360 and PS3? Are people really downloading that much content that they need 120/80 GB drives? Are downloaded movies really that popular? Why would you rather download a game then get the a DVD? I really don't see any need for a drive of this size on a console. For me it just seems like something that would drive up the cost on an already expensive product.

Re:What's the point?

[insanius]

The point of a bigger hard drive is more space to hold data. Shouldn't have had to answer that...

Yes, people really are downloading that much content.

Yes, downloaded movies really are that popular and its not that surprising why when you think about it. I like many 360 owners have a HDTV, but I, like most, do not have the HD-DVD add-on or a stand alone player. Therefore the only ways currently for me and many others to watch a high-def movie on my high-def tv is to:
a) catch one on cable when its airing or DVR it
b) download one, be it on my cable box(ON-DEMAND) or my 360 it does not matter.
Both have the same policies on viewing and pricing(same as renting from a store, without the trip), only their selections differ.

You may not see the reason for this, and that is why M$/Sony gives you the option to pay less $ for a system that doesn't include a HD or, in Sony's case, includes a smaller less expensive HD.

That's nice, Sony

[J. T. MacLeod]

Call me when you have a scaler, though.

This is great...

[donglekey]

Because when people consider a PS3, they think to themselves, hmm, I just don't feel like they've packed enough shit in there already.

Re:It's about the video.

[Anonymous Coward]

"Nintendo sees consoles as way to play games."

And, you know, make and dress up virtual dolls. Check the weather, vote on stuff. Browse the web. Leave messages for people. All that entirely gameplay oriented stuff. (sarcarm off)

There are NO purely game-playing consoles any more. Even the GBA has an optional MP3 player, and there have been non-interactive cartoons (Cartoon Network stuff) released as GBA carts, effectively making it a video player. The DS has pictochat built in and an optional web browser and language training software. Nintendo is less interested in the fluffy, irrelevant stuff, but they aren't immune from it.

Re:Why not from the get-go?

[tomstdenis]

first, they're not buying parts from BestBuy or CompUSA. They're getting deep discounts to buy hard drives from companies using older production lines. Hence the 8GB drives for the original xbox.

second, they can get idiots to buy the super duper upgrade piecemeal costing more.

third, I want a wii.

Re:Why not from the get-go?

[amuro98]

Why not a larger HDD from day one?

The same reason Microsoft went ahead and released a 360 that didn't even HAVE a HDD at all!

Price. Price. Price. Price.

It was very important to Microsoft to have their console priced lower than than Sony's. Although to be honest, I think Microsoft expected Sony to price the PS3 at $400 and $500, instead of the current $500/$600... So now Microsoft can release the 360 Elite, which adds HDMI, comes with a larger HDD AND a HDMI cable while STILL costing less than the PS3.