Rumor: Best Buy dropping the 80GB PS3, it's going away altogether?

rjcc · 01-24-2008, 07:59 AM

http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/01/24/...nuing-80gb-ps3/

An anonymous Best Buy employee has sent us a scan of an internal letter, which notifies employees that the 80GB system is being discontinued. "The 80GB version of the PS3 is going closeout and won't be replaced at this time," it reads. "It will come off the planogram on Jan. 28. The 60GB version should already be gone from stores. Only the 40GB version of PS3 will be sold in Best Buy stores at this time."

forgeforsaken · 01-24-2008, 08:16 AM

Interesting, as some places are rumoring a price drop to $299 for the 40gb on that date. Drop to 299 would be huge, I'd consider getting one then, but I have to wonder if it does happen why the hell didn't they do it three months ago in November? Would have made a huge difference over the holiday.

fuzzyslug · 01-24-2008, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forgeforsaken

Interesting, as some places are rumoring a price drop to $299 for the 40gb on that date. Drop to 299 would be huge, I'd consider getting one then, but I have to wonder if it does happen why the hell didn't they do it three months ago in November? Would have made a huge difference over the holiday.

1. That would be madness.

2. I would guess that's because it's a lot harder to sell systems in January than over the Christmas holiday.

Drunkagain · 01-24-2008, 08:26 AM

$299 plus tax relief check would equal me getting a PS3. I find the $299 hard to believe though.

Jazar · 01-24-2008, 08:28 AM

They would be better served by saving a price drop for when a major title like GTA4 hits.

forgeforsaken · 01-24-2008, 08:28 AM

Yeah, I don't buy it either, but it was showing up on the rumor sites a few days ago. Supposed to correspond with the introduction of the white PS3. Noticed that the dates lined up with the discontinuation of the 80 so that was at least worth noting.

Drastic · 01-24-2008, 08:32 AM

I had a good chunk of Best Buy gift card crowding my wallet from the recent war on Christmas, and what with Blu-Ray pulling firmly ahead figured--with firm budgetary responsibility--"why not?"

So I figure that a price drop of some level is now guaranteed. Same thing happened when I bought a ps2 back in the day.

Drunkagain · 01-24-2008, 08:37 AM

Wonder if they'll stay with one SKU?

Enidigm · 01-24-2008, 08:39 AM

Thanks for the information.

Fugitive · 01-24-2008, 08:44 AM

People noted that Sony had a job listing for compatibility engineers to work on emulation and the PS3, so the new rumour is that they're planning to bring entirely software-based PS2 compatibility to the 40GB model.

If so, then the 80GB model looks a lot less attractive and unnecessary since people don't seem to be missing the other bits that were removed.

Midnight Son · 01-24-2008, 08:47 AM

No BC with PS2 upscaling means no PS3 for me until it's $150. (And Final Fantasy XIII is out.)

chet · 01-24-2008, 09:35 AM

If I bought a PS3 right now, I would just call it my Uncharted: Drake's Fortune machine. Can't think why else I would buy one.

Enidigm · 01-24-2008, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chet

If I bought a PS3 right now, I would just call it my Uncharted: Drake's Fortune machine. Can't think why else I would buy one.

Blu Ray, basically. A 300$ PS3 would be pretty much the indisputably best Blu Ray player available.

If this does happen, i'm sure i'll get one just for Blu Ray. I probably won't even buy a single game for it, ever.

chet · 01-24-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSelfishGene

Blu Ray, basically. A 300$ PS3 would be pretty much the indisputably best Blu Ray player available.

If this does happen, i'm sure i'll get one just for Blu Ray. I probably won't even buy a single game for it, ever.

Problem is, I am pretty sure I will never buy a blu ray dvd...

Enidigm · 01-24-2008, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chet

Problem is, I am pretty sure I will never buy a blu ray dvd...

Eh. I'm not thrilled over it either. But what is that HDTV for then, anyway? The Today Show in HD? Fall foozball? I sort of see it as a necessary part of the ecosystem. If you don't want to screw with HD (which is a completely valid thing), then, yea, i don't see a need.

BobJustBob · 01-24-2008, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSelfishGene

I probably won't even buy a single game for it, ever.

That'll teach 'em.

rjcc · 01-24-2008, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSelfishGene

Eh. I'm not thrilled over it either. But what is that HDTV for then, anyway? The Today Show in HD? Fall foozball? I sort of see it as a necessary part of the ecosystem. If you don't want to screw with HD (which is a completely valid thing), then, yea, i don't see a need.

I don't care about lossless surround audio, I already get plenty of movies from the premium channels, why buy them on disc again? maybe if I subscribed to netflix, maybe then.

Jazar · 01-24-2008, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobJustBob

That'll teach 'em.

Maybe he should buy the remote and throw away the controller. You know, just in case.

jeffd · 01-24-2008, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSelfishGene

Eh. I'm not thrilled over it either. But what is that HDTV for then, anyway?

It's for my 360, duh.

Gedd · 01-24-2008, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chet

Problem is, I am pretty sure I will never buy a blu ray dvd...

I'd might actually consider getting one just to switch over to hi-def DVDs from Netflix (assuming the rumored price drop happens). Watching DVDs in SD is tolerable on an HDTV, but even with a decent upscaler it's still kind of a downer after watching HDTV stuff off of cable.

I might even pick up stuff in BluRay if the prices are comparable to SD (assuming a sale or special).

Alex Pirani · 01-24-2008, 10:32 AM

Hmm, a PS3 to watch Planet Earth in HD? I'll think about it...

triggercut · 01-24-2008, 10:33 AM

When MLB The Show '08 comes out (and provided it gets good reviews) then I'll buy a PS3.

Enidigm · 01-24-2008, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazar

Maybe he should buy the remote and throw away the controller. You know, just in case.

I'm not saying "oh, K0NY sucks! I'll never buy anything from that crap company screw them!". I'm saying "I have three game machines, i need a blu ray player, and it's unlikely that i'll ever buy anything for the PS3 that i couldn't or wouldn't want to play on the PC or Wii." I might rent some games, you know.

Have you all looked at the prices of Blu Ray players? A 300$ PS3 would as far as i can tell literally be the cheapest option in the market, at this time. With it's upgradability and features it would be hard to see that it wasn't the best for everyone but hardcore A/V people.

Reed · 01-24-2008, 10:39 AM

Is it quiet enough though? How loud is the PS3 compared to the 360? (which is definitely too loud for me to want to watch movies off it)

RickH · 01-24-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reed

Is it quiet enough though? How loud is the PS3 compared to the 360? (which is definitely too loud for me to want to watch movies off it)

The PS3 is quiet. It's not going to draw attention to itself while playing a movie.

Reldan · 01-24-2008, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chet

Problem is, I am pretty sure I will never buy a blu ray dvd...

I don't buy them either. But I do get to watch all the good ones with no extra charge from Netflix.

slantz · 01-24-2008, 10:59 AM

You know, there's a lot of things the PS3 does besides just playing $60 retail games and Blu-Ray movies.

There's some quality and cheap PSN stuff. There's downloadable trailers. Soon you will be able to rent movies, much like on XBLM. (Though they better do something about the download speeds on PSN.) And it's a good place to rip music and drop photos on.

fuzzyslug · 01-24-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reed

Is it quiet enough though? How loud is the PS3 compared to the 360? (which is definitely too loud for me to want to watch movies off it)

After hearing your 360, you won't even notice the PS3. It's not silent but it's very quiet, particularly if it is in a place with decent ventilation.

DennyA · 01-24-2008, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chet

If I bought a PS3 right now, I would just call it my Uncharted: Drake's Fortune machine. Can't think why else I would buy one.

\
Well, mine is an Uncharted: Drake's Fortune machine and a Blu-ray player!

The "software-only emulation" thing isn't a new rumor, because digging in the QT3 archives, you'll find that, when they announced the 40GB SKU, I predicted they'd eventually do just that.

malkav11 · 01-24-2008, 12:52 PM

You know, I think I might actually spring for a PS3 instead of a 360 if there were a $300 option. Crazy, I know, but ultimately most of the things I'm impressed with for 360 are on or coming to PC also, and I can play them there. Some of the things that aren't are on/coming to PS3.

Or maybe not. Kind of a moot point until I have those $300 to spare.

01-24-2008, 07:59 AM	#1
rjcc Social Worker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: in j00r base killing j00r dudez. or something Gamertag: Rjcc Posts: 2,604	Rumor: Best Buy dropping the 80GB PS3, it's going away altogether? http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/01/24/...nuing-80gb-ps3/ An anonymous Best Buy employee has sent us a scan of an internal letter, which notifies employees that the 80GB system is being discontinued. "The 80GB version of the PS3 is going closeout and won't be replaced at this time," it reads. "It will come off the planogram on Jan. 28. The 60GB version should already be gone from stores. Only the 40GB version of PS3 will be sold in Best Buy stores at this time."

01-24-2008, 08:16 AM	#2
forgeforsaken New Romantic Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gamertag/PSN/Steam: forgeforsaken Posts: 7,367	Interesting, as some places are rumoring a price drop to $299 for the 40gb on that date. Drop to 299 would be huge, I'd consider getting one then, but I have to wonder if it does happen why the hell didn't they do it three months ago in November? Would have made a huge difference over the holiday.

01-24-2008, 08:26 AM	#4
Drunkagain Neo Acoustic Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 1,513	$299 plus tax relief check would equal me getting a PS3. I find the $299 hard to believe though.

01-24-2008, 08:28 AM	#5
Jazar New Romantic Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Gamertag/PSN: Jazar Posts: 8,748	They would be better served by saving a price drop for when a major title like GTA4 hits.

01-24-2008, 08:32 AM	#7
Drastic Social Worker Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Live: Gar Drastic \| PSN & Steam: GarDrastic Posts: 4,680	I had a good chunk of Best Buy gift card crowding my wallet from the recent war on Christmas, and what with Blu-Ray pulling firmly ahead figured--with firm budgetary responsibility--"why not?" So I figure that a price drop of some level is now guaranteed. Same thing happened when I bought a ps2 back in the day.

01-24-2008, 08:37 AM	#8
Drunkagain Neo Acoustic Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 1,513	Wonder if they'll stay with one SKU?

01-24-2008, 08:39 AM	#9
Enidigm New Romantic Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 7,518	Thanks for the information.

01-24-2008, 08:44 AM	#10
Fugitive New Romantic Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Calgary Posts: 7,603	People noted that Sony had a job listing for compatibility engineers to work on emulation and the PS3, so the new rumour is that they're planning to bring entirely software-based PS2 compatibility to the 40GB model. If so, then the 80GB model looks a lot less attractive and unnecessary since people don't seem to be missing the other bits that were removed.

01-24-2008, 08:47 AM	#11
Midnight Son How To Go Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dukov's place. Posts: 13,791	No BC with PS2 upscaling means no PS3 for me until it's $150. (And Final Fantasy XIII is out.)

01-24-2008, 09:35 AM	#12
chet New Romantic Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Sleeping Posts: 5,303	If I bought a PS3 right now, I would just call it my Uncharted: Drake's Fortune machine. Can't think why else I would buy one.

01-24-2008, 10:32 AM	#21
Alex Pirani Broad Band Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 282	Hmm, a PS3 to watch Planet Earth in HD? I'll think about it...

01-24-2008, 10:33 AM	#22
triggercut New Romantic Join Date: May 2003 Location: Washington DC Posts: 5,844	When MLB The Show '08 comes out (and provided it gets good reviews) then I'll buy a PS3.

01-24-2008, 10:39 AM	#24
Reed Neo Acoustic Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: SF Bay Area Gamertag: Reedx Posts: 1,771	Is it quiet enough though? How loud is the PS3 compared to the 360? (which is definitely too loud for me to want to watch movies off it)

01-24-2008, 10:59 AM	#27
slantz Social Worker Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,596	You know, there's a lot of things the PS3 does besides just playing $60 retail games and Blu-Ray movies. There's some quality and cheap PSN stuff. There's downloadable trailers. Soon you will be able to rent movies, much like on XBLM. (Though they better do something about the download speeds on PSN.) And it's a good place to rip music and drop photos on.

01-24-2008, 12:52 PM	#30
malkav11 New Romantic Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6,937	You know, I think I might actually spring for a PS3 instead of a 360 if there were a $300 option. Crazy, I know, but ultimately most of the things I'm impressed with for 360 are on or coming to PC also, and I can play them there. Some of the things that aren't are on/coming to PS3. Or maybe not. Kind of a moot point until I have those $300 to spare.

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Rumor: Best Buy dropping the 80GB PS3, it's going away altogether?