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$499 PlayStation 3 Confirmed

Gamespot is reporting that the rumoured price drop from earlier this week is a reality. Starting on July 10th, the current 60GB model will sell for $499. Coming to US shores in August is the 80GB version only available in South Korea at the moment, which will retail for $599. They're bundling that unit with Motorstorm, so it's not just another 20 gigs for $100. "The price drop further indicates that, after a slow start, Sony is now aggressively trying to expand its customer base in the US. The move comes none too soon. According to the latest figures from industry-research firm the NPD Group, the PS3 only sold 82,000 units in the US in May, compared to the Xbox 360's 155,000 units and the Wii's 338,000 units." So, is this it? Will this price drop make you buy a PS3, or are you still holding off for the big games this fall?

12 of 555 comments (clear)

  1. Blu-Ray by Brad1138 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I want one for the Blu-Ray player. I have a 61" DLP set that is just screaming for Blu-Ray or HD DVD, Personally I like Blu-Ray. Currently stand alone Blu-Ray players are $650+ (from a quick Google search). From the reviews I have read it holds up fairly well against them. Plus an awesome gaming machine.

    --
    If you could reason with religious people, there would be no religious people
    1. Re:Blu-Ray by wawannem · · Score: 5, Insightful

      As a parent of a child that *really* wants a PS3, I can say that the price has been the biggest barrier. It's hard to justify this sort of expenditure for a twelve-year-old... I sort of feel like he'll grow up like his gaming-geek old man if I give in and buy one. I'm glad to see that they are coming down in price. -W

    2. Re:Blu-Ray by poot_rootbeer · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It's hard to justify this sort of expenditure for a twelve-year-old...

      A twelve-year-old boy is probably old enough to mow lawns, run errands, etc. to earn his own income.

      It shouldn't take him much of that to understand how much money $500 actually is.

  2. Why should it? by falcon5768 · · Score: 5, Interesting
    It wouldnt make me bite when it was this much for the 20 gig... why should the 60 dropping 100 buck matter, its till more costly than a 360 which atm has more games.

    And honestly looking at FFXIII despite being a huge FF fanboy doesnt make me bite at all, not for 500 dollars. As for the other PS3 killer apps right now, more than a few are actually out or coming out on the 360, which I already own.

    Im sure a bunch of people are going to jump on me with bluray this, and HDMI that, but quite frankly Sony really think about what made their PS2 a huge seller. They though it was the diehards, and built a system perfect for them. What they forgot was the casuals, of which the 100 dollar PS2 became a big seller not the 300 dollar original pricetag version.

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  3. So is this it by rhendershot · · Score: 5, Funny

    So, is this it? Will this price drop make you buy a PS3



    no.

    or are you still holding off for the big games this fall?



    no.

  4. Panic Time by MeanMF · · Score: 5, Informative

    This just confirms that Sony is in full-blown panic mode... They keep talking about the long-term viability of the PS3, and I can see why since it is a pretty nice piece of hardware. But they're obviously very worried about their near-term prospects so I could easily see how they'd cut another $100 before the end of the year if things don't turn around quickly.

  5. Doing business in 21-st century by suv4x4 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "$499 PS3 rumored"

    "$499 PS3 denied by Sony CEO"

    "Sony rejects $499 PS3"

    "Sony Spokesman says $499 a hoax"

    "$499 PS3 confirmed"

  6. AU prices by Nazlfrag · · Score: 5, Informative
    I doubt we'll see anything like this. A typical price, ie. on 'sale' at Big W here w/free game is $987. That's around $847 USD. This is also the European model where they ripped out the hardware backwards compatibility.

    Or I could get this one imported for $582 AUD but have no warranty. Both options are bad, but the fact I could almost get TWO from America at the same price makes the warranty issue not look so bad after all.

    Sony doesn't stand a chance against the Xbox or Wii(which is still regularly sold out) in Australia any time soon. Even with the best damn games on the planet $1000 is a ludicrous price, next to $350ish Wii or $500ish 360. I could in fact get both consoles and some games for the same price... Bluray doesn't even enter into consideration.

  7. Incredible by corby · · Score: 5, Funny

    This is absolutely fantastic news.

    It will now cost me $100 less to not buy one.

    1. Re:Incredible by Chuck+Chunder · · Score: 5, Funny

      Yeah but the downside is that you won't be saving as much by not buying one.

      --
      Boffoonery - downloadable Comedy Benefit for Bletchley Park
  8. Re:Those who fail to learn from economics 101 by freeweed · · Score: 5, Insightful

    And $3000 in 1990 dollars, what a half-decent desktop PC cost back then, is $5169 in 2006 dollars. Except a half-decent PC is 1/10th that price. Could you imagine spending $5000+ on a PC these days? Yet they're faster, have more storage, massive improvements in graphics hardware...

    Technology gets CHEAPER. Far out-pacing inflation. The PS3 pricing is a joke when compared to any other modern consumer electronics - then again, game consoles pretty much have been for a while now.

    --
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  9. No "large future performance increase"?? by Namarrgon · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Wow, that's the craziest "advantage" I've ever heard anyone cite :-) "PS3 is slow right now because it's hard to program for, but you should buy it anyway because one day hopefully they'll figure it out" - where do I sign?

    Here's a thought - why not just wait until when/if they do figure it out, and then buy it? It'll be cheaper too.

    --
    Why would anyone engrave "Elbereth"?