Dave Karraker | July 13th, 2007 at 3:27 pm

Hey Guys. Let me jump back in here to answer some questions. Kaz has confirmed that we have stopped production on the 60GB in Asia. However, we have a very ample supply of systems still here in the North American market and will be able to meet demand for months to come at the new $499. We will keep monitoring the market and take the necessary steps to meet consumer needs once the 60GB model is depleted from retail.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?? READ THIS LINE AGAIN… “We will keep monitoring the market and take the necessary steps to meet consumer needs once the 60GB model is depleted from retail.” MY PREDICTION IS THAT THEY WILL DROP THE STAND ALONE 80GB PS3 TO $499 ONCE THE 60GB ARE GONE. THAT IS A 80GB NON-PACKAGE DEAL. AND MY GUESS IS THAT IT HAPPENS AROUND CHRISTMAS.

I really can’t be bothered to try to think of reasons why Sony has done this but the 80GB PS3 is going to be their 3rd SKU and it’s not even 1 year old!

Whatever. I have a PS3. I’m enjoying it but Sony are not doing themselves any favours at all.

Francois, I think to some extent you are correct but since Sony owns the format they can reduce the fees manufacturers pay so they can make a profit. Also you over over-estimating the PS3 as a blu-ray player. It isn’t that it can’t hang with a stand-alone, which it does easily. The perception of the average consumer is that a console cannot do what a stand-alone can is very real. Also stores are far more likely to push a stand-alone because the profit margins on those are much, much larger.

I think Sony needs to sell 5.5 million consoles by the end of the year to be on pace to win this generation. That would give them roughly 9 million total. Microsoft has some real heavy hitters that will definitely move some consoles the last few months of the year. Nintendo also will have some of their largest games in many years and will sell more consoles than they do now (I still think the Wii is last place this gen).

I, like many of you, question the plans of Sony. It won’t stop me from buying their system but they are tripping over themselves. If they ever get their @$#% together they could kick some ass. I just can’t see that happening this year.

IMO, with the instant boost in sale after price cut, I am convince there will be a 499$us version available to go through next chrismas season, if it is not a 60GB, it will be a 80GB core pack or something.

I look at all the games they had showing and think SCEA is really starting to get the ball rolling. Then I read something like this and I realize Sony as a whole is still lumbering. Did all the laptop battery recalls mess them up this bad?

One quick thing before I head to the show for the last day. I just wanted to clarify something. I’ve seen a lot of posts this morning related to the 60GB SKU and the comments by SCEE President David Reeves. As we announced this week, SCEA’s product offering in North America consists of a 80GB PS3 available in August and a 60GB PS3 available now for $499. We will have ample supplies of both models to meet the needs of consumers for the foreseeable future.