That slimmer PS3 rumor from a couple of months ago has finally come to pass, with Sony announcing that a new PlayStation 3 will be released in September.
The new PS3 will feature a 120GB hard drive, Blu-ray drive, new system software (version 3.00) and BRAVIA Sync (for tying up to your Sony TV). It’ll cost $299.
Sony’s making a big thing of the re-branding, changing the name from PLAYSTATION 3 to PlayStation 3 (note the capitals — I’ve obviously been getting it wrong all these years as I’ve often referred to it the “new” way) and introducing a “PS3” logo to be engraved on the surface of the new console.
The new PS3 will measure 29cms (W) x 6.5cms (H) x 29cms (D) and weigh around 3.2kgs.
Existing PS3 consoles will have their prices reduced (presumably to clear) from today — $299 for the 80GB model and $399 for the 160GB model. I’m not quite sure why you’d buy the 80GB model for the same price as the new 120GB model unless you desperately need it now or want some of the legacy features (like being able to install your own operating system — this option has been removed from the new PS3). Maybe it’s a price typo?
Anyway, no matter. The new PS3 is coming on September 1, 2009. European users are ripped off again, paying the equivalent of $421 for the privilege of owning the system.