PS3 Price Cut To Follow End of Blu-ray Laser Shortage?

Via Ars Technica's Opposable Thumbs blog, a DigiTimes article reports that the shortage of Blue-ray lasers is ending. Back in April Sony Shiroishi Semiconductor, a maker of the blu-violet laser diodes needed to make the PlayStation 3, ramped up production to fully meet the needs of production for Sony's new console. As a result of more readily available components, the article theorizes that a price cut may be possible sometime later this year. "Until now, the question has been: how could Sony afford it? If the Blu-ray supply chain is indeed poised to pump out Blu-ray PUHs, perhaps this is the first major step to seeing $50 to $100 shaved off the cost of the console. Would $100 off the cost of the PS3 bring in more buyers? I don't think this can even be considered a serious question. With few exceptions, and leaving aside a handful of loyal fanboys, the PS3's biggest problem is its price. We look for a Sony price cut later this year if sales stay ho-hum."

Comments

This is just stupid

[MikeBabcock]

I'm sick and tired of hearing this story repeat itself over and over. It goes something like this:

I can't afford a PS3, therefore nobody can afford the PS3 and since I see them on the shelves, nobody must be buying them.

I really don't care how well the Wii is selling, that has no bearing whatsoever on the sales numbers for the PS3 itself. The PS3 has sold well, not astoundingly, but well enough to have a large installed base. Also, where's this $100 coming from they could save with blu-ray laser components getting cheaper? According to one breakdown, the entire Blu-Ray drive assembly is estimated at $125. Factoring in Sony eventually making a profit on PS3 sales after the initial loss-leader tactics, only removing the drive and having no replacement would save $100. What is most likely to save Sony money is manufacturing getting cheaper, and all components slowly dropping in price a little each.

Re:Huh?

[Harlockjds]

must be a canada thing... perhaps Canadians keep on trying to exchange beer cans for them?