PS3 price drop now OFFICIAL and new 80 gig model coming to US in August [Archive]

agbulls

07-05-2007, 07:09 PM

A leaked Circuit City ad that is supposed to run on July 15 has already hit the web. We knew this was coming, so is this going to change anyone's mind that hasn't yet made a purchase?

http://www.destructoid.com/circuit-city-advertises-100-ps3-price-cut-to-hit-july-15-34410.phtml#comments

Edit: This hasn't been confirmed just yet. Some think it's a one-week sale. Knowing that Circuit City can't take a $100 hit per console makes this extremely unlikely unless its sponsored by Sony. And, if its sponsored by Sony? Well, that's called an official price cut.

Update 7/7/07: It's being reported that Target is already offering the system at $500 at a bunch of stores starting today. Check out the story on Kotaku here:

http://kotaku.com/gaming/early-release/some-target-stores-put-ps3-price-drop-into-effect-275916.php

Update 7/9/07: Anthony continues to duplicate this thread for some reason...and CNN.com has confirmed!!!!

Eteric Rice

07-05-2007, 07:18 PM

I think you'll see a small surge for the first month, and then it'll go downhill again from there.

I mean, the 360 is $399, and it's struggling now even WITH great games.

Buyatari

07-05-2007, 07:36 PM

I mean, the 360 is $399, and it's struggling .

Says who?

Overbite

07-05-2007, 07:42 PM

I won't buy one until good games come out for it

so it'll be a while

AMG

07-05-2007, 07:46 PM

so is this going to change anyone's mind that hasn't yet made a purchase?

Not mine, but I'm sure many will.

norkusa

07-05-2007, 08:30 PM

I don't care if it plays BluRay, $500 is still too much for a console.

It's $400 or bust for me.

Hwj_Chim

07-05-2007, 08:42 PM

I am also holding out until 400 bucks. A 2D fighter on the system would also help me part with my money.

cyberfluxor

07-05-2007, 08:55 PM

Bah! Nice to hear but I'm good. I'd prefer spending $500 on Neo-Geo stuff. :D

sabre2922

07-05-2007, 10:23 PM

This is a good solid price drop IF it is true and a move in the right direction for the slow as snails selling PS3 both in the U.S. and Japan.

I agree that anything over $400 is far too much for any gaming system blue ray or hyperfightingnextgeneditionraybeamDVD or whatever is still too expensive for a new console.

Ill pick up the first system that includes a hardrive for $300.00 and that will most likely be the Xbox360 and hopefully very soon.

I dont see the Xbox360s sales as being "ailing" or whatever but in my area there are PLENTY of 360s on store shelves unlike the Wii and even the slim line PS2.

evil_genius

07-05-2007, 10:44 PM

I can confirm this on Tuesday of next week, possibly Saturday.

udisi

07-05-2007, 10:52 PM

I'll echo that it's a step in the right direction, but it's still too expensive for a system with nothing good to play on it. The 360 elite is still cheaper at $479. I don't think I'd even bite at $400 without a few must have titles unless I just had the money burning a hole in my pocket.

chrisbid

07-05-2007, 11:17 PM

the console sweet spot is 200 bucks, so theyve got a long road ahead of them

MegaDrive20XX

07-05-2007, 11:35 PM

Push Upstairs

07-05-2007, 11:40 PM

The magic amount is $99.

So it's going to be a long time before the PS3 comes to party at my house.

Slate

07-06-2007, 12:17 AM

If there is going to be a price drop, Then hooray, But i'm not buying one until I can get one for $300 or less. (Maybe even $200)

Anthony1

07-06-2007, 01:03 AM

Ill pick up the first system that includes a hardrive for $300.00 and that will most likely be the Xbox360 and hopefully very soon.

Well, then I would suggest getting your money ready for next Wednesday morning. Next Tuesday at 8:30pm Pacific Time, Microsoft will have their keynote and I would be absolutely stunned if they didn't announce a price drop effective the following morning. I fully expect the Elite to drop $80 to $399.99, the Premium to drop a full C-note to $299.99, and the Core system to drop to the magical price of $199.99.

badinsults

07-06-2007, 01:22 AM

Even if this price drop is not something that Sony was intending on doing, the cat is out of the bag. They need to drop it now, because so many people will now assume the price drop is happening and will not buy it at $600. Although, as other people mentioned, there is still no compelling reason to get a PS3 at any price.

Buyatari

07-06-2007, 02:39 AM

the console sweet spot is 200 bucks, so theyve got a long road ahead of them

Close.

The PSII and the Wii seem to have both been hits at $250

Anthony1

07-06-2007, 03:49 AM

I said it before, I don't think a $100 price cut does much of anything for Sony. Somebody that's willing to pay $500 is willing to pay $600. Once you are in that price range, I don't think $100 is going to make or break it either way. Sure, they will get a few fence sitters who were planning on getting a PS3 anyways, and just needed a bit of an extra incentive. Remember, not only is it going to drop $100, but they are also doing a 5 free Blu Ray movie promotion as well. The PS3 does qualify for that promotion.

I think a $200 price drop is exactly what Sony needs, but at the same time, I can understand why they aren't doing that. They are already losing a small fortune off each PS3 sold, so dropping it another $200 would just make it too painful. Still, I just don't think a measly $100 price drop is going to do all that much. Especially with their biggest games of 2007 still many months away (Uncharted, Ratchet & Heavenly).

PS2Hawk

07-06-2007, 06:53 AM

the console sweet spot is 200 bucks, so theyve got a long road ahead of them

ya the people who said it made the shittiest console in the history of video games . so I dunno how sweet that spot is when u have a bad apple in ur hand.. or should I say 'RINGED" apple

segagamer4life

07-06-2007, 08:16 AM

the PS3 is hurting due to no good software, and I know someone said it here, but 499, or 599, it still aint a good deal, they need to get some good software out there, and right now, they have no killer exclusive titles to lure people away from M$. M$ on the other hand I agree again with something mentioned here, a price cut would all but crush, for the time being at least, Sony's chances of making ground in the console race.

Red Warrior

07-06-2007, 12:29 PM

I've never paid more than $300 for a console... and I never will. I love the 360... but even $400 is too rich for my blood. I'm still waiting for Microsoft's price drop... let alone Sony's. It'll be awhile before I have my own 360 and PS3 to play. In the meantime, I'll just play my brother's.

Incidentally, the only console worth more than $300 is one that has a 500 hour 2D Metroid game for it. :D

its_hey_ma

07-07-2007, 12:54 PM

I thought sony was loosing money on the system even at $600. Would a $100 price cut mean a change in hardware then?

Slate

07-07-2007, 02:19 PM

I thought sony was loosing money on the system even at $600. Would a $100 price cut mean a change in hardware then?

Sony has been talking about cutting backwards compatibility.

heybtbm

07-07-2007, 02:22 PM

I still think this is a Circuit City one week deal only. E3 is coming up this next week though, so who knows?

Emuaust

07-07-2007, 05:25 PM

Bad news that this is to jap and usa customers only, as of the first of august us Pal
gamers get to still pay our $1000AUD(around $840USD) and sony will throw in
Motorstorm,Resistance and a SECOND CONTROLLER!!!, What a fucking joke.

I will seriously think about getting a US model shipped to me next week after the price drop.

agbulls

07-07-2007, 06:39 PM

Alright, I think this has to confirm the price drop 100%.

Kotaku is reporting that a bunch of Target stores are already selling it at $500 in US.

Read here:

http://kotaku.com/gaming/early-release/some-target-stores-put-ps3-price-drop-into-effect-275916.php

vincewy

07-07-2007, 08:26 PM

Sony has been talking about cutting backwards compatibility.

They better not do that, it's the only way I'd consider getting PS3 (I'd want one because it can replace all my PS1 and PS2). BTW, what happen to the 20GB model? Why couldn't they keep that option and with a price drop, it can be $399, a much more appealing price point.

Anthony1

07-07-2007, 08:50 PM

They better not do that, it's the only way I'd consider getting PS3 (I'd want one because it can replace all my PS1 and PS2). BTW, what happen to the 20GB model? Why couldn't they keep that option and with a price drop, it can be $399, a much more appealing price point.

They got rid of the 20 gig version, because they loose much more money on that than the 60 gigger, but now with the price drop, it's almost a moot point. But if they dropped the 20 gigger to $399.99, it would have been a very costly deal for them, cause they loose so much per system on that model. Still, I think them getting rid of the 20 gigger was about the dumbest thing I've ever seen. A $399 PS3 would be absolutely ideal right now. They would sell tons of them. Yes, it would hit their bottom line very hard, but man, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. If they want to still have a chance at No.1 marketshare in the USA, they need to take some drastic measures.

courtesi96

07-07-2007, 09:30 PM

hmmmmm

agbulls

07-07-2007, 09:33 PM

hmmmmm

Uh... yes?:confused:

Insaneclown

07-07-2007, 11:21 PM

Bah! Nice to hear but I'm good. I'd prefer spending $500 on Neo-Geo stuff. :D

Well then...buy my Neo Geo stuff then. :D Check in "eBay everything" thread for your Neo Geo goodness.

I'm parting with my whole personal collection and plus I'm moving soon. Sooo...I have to sell it off. Since it's my most expensive collection.

Bahhh...to the PS3.

heybtbm

07-08-2007, 10:53 AM

Sony has been talking about cutting backwards compatibility.

That's a little deceiving. Sony will eventually stop including the PS2 emotion engine inside the PS3. Titles will be backwards compatible through software emulation...and we have all seen how well that works (cough...Xbox 360).

Call me crazy, but I think the original PS3's with the emotion engines (i.e. 100% backwards compatible) are going to hold their value in the years to come. These will be sought after when people are only able to play 30-40% (numbers courtesy of my ass) of their PS2 library on their new PS3.

Anthony1

07-09-2007, 12:59 AM

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6173806.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=newstop&tag=newstop;more;1

I'm sure Sony was hoping to announce this on Wednesday at their keynote, but obviously the leaks were just a bit too ridiculous, and they felt they had to respond.

"Today, Sony confirmed to GameSpot that a fusillade of reports from US retailers had augured last week. As of July 9, the PlayStation 3's North American price point is going south. The next-generation console will cost $499 in the US and $549 in Canada, the same price as the discontinued 20GB model. So far, the price drop is for North America only. "This news does not affect any other PS3 territory," said Dave Karraker, Sony Computer Entertainment America

The price drop announcement was accompanied by more unexpected news: The 80GB PS3, previously only available in South Korea, is also headed stateside. The larger-capacity system will go on sale in August for $599, and will have all the functionality of the 60GB model. To help stifle complaints that $100 might be a bit much to pay for 20GB more of hard disc space, Sony is bundling the game with the off-road racer MotorStorm, which currently retails for $59.99"

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2007/188/80gbps3106_screen.jpg

Lothars

07-09-2007, 01:33 AM

Not Surprising though I wish it would be 399 instead of 499 but o well, it's all good :)

Nintendo Gamer

07-09-2007, 01:35 AM

.....

tonyvortex

07-09-2007, 01:41 AM

This is what I get for paying for the 60 GB 3-4 months ago. Goddamnit.

at least its only $100 less,imagine if you bought it yesterday or that the price drop was $200.im sure you have at least enjoyed it for the time you have had it.

walrusmonger

07-09-2007, 02:07 AM

This will help out the PS3 bigtime. $600 is a steal for all the stuff you'll be getting, hopefully the consumers see that and buy it up :)

I've had my PS3 since launch, and the only thing that pisses the fucking shit out of me (to make me curse!) is that my HDMI port went wacky* on me right after I get Ninja Gaiden Sigma. Besides that, it's a super-solid machine, very awesome. (component works fine, just that the hdmi port is glitchy, and the ps3 looks soooo sexy through hdmi)

*Sony's support has been great so far, they were helpful and are sending me a box to ship it back to them in. The box will come in 4-5 business days, then it'll take 4-5 business days for them to get it and then another 4-5 for the new one to get to me. By then Guitar Hero 80's will be out and I wont even be touching the system for a while though, curses!

Ed Oscuro

07-09-2007, 02:26 AM

I've said this elsewhere, but...

The scant improvement in the hard drive space on the announced $599 model doesn't help the perception of this price drop.

Certainly the current 60 GB model being offered for $100 less is quite a fine accomplishment, but gamers immediately will notice that the Elite moved the Xbox 360 from 20 GB to 120 GB (as far as I'm aware that's how it went).

Thus it starts to feel less like an improvement, and more like a continuing plot to part the gamer from their money.

I'm still relatively bullish about the potential of the PS3 compared to the 360, and certainly this doesn't take anything away in reality from the $100 price drop on the only PS3 that's been available for a while. It's just depressing that the 80 GB model had to come at such a high price, though.

Also, for what it's worth, wasn't the 20 GB 360 hard drive originally offered for $100 or so? That's the difference, but a 20 GB drive shouldn't cost nearly that much, even if they were wholly new production. Or maybe they did, and they should've gone with a larger model drive...sigh, it never ends.

Anthony1

07-09-2007, 02:30 AM

at least its only $100 less,imagine if you bought it yesterday or that the price drop was $200.im sure you have at least enjoyed it for the time you have had it.

Anybody that bought a PS3 in the last 30 days should be able to take the receipt back to the store and get a price match. Shit, had I bought a PS3 anywhere in the last 30 days and they wouldn't give me a price match, I would raise living hell! The thing that would really suck is buying it somewhere 31 days ago, lol.

One way to avoid these things is to buy your system from Target. Target gives 90 days for returns. So basically, you are covered from a price standpoint for 90 days. I always buy from Target if I think a price drop is imminent.

smork

07-09-2007, 03:15 AM

MS can still do to Sony what Sony did to Sega at the PlayStaion/Saturn launches -- right after announced price, announce your new, lower price. Thunder -- gone.

It is a step in the right direction at least for Sony. A much better step would be some software, but hey, baby steps.

psychic1

07-09-2007, 07:11 AM

This isn't even news. The 20gb models sold for $500 on launch and nobody bought them because they were too fucking expensive and not because 20gb isn't enough space.

If they still offered the 20gb model and reduced it's price to $400 the PS3 would still be failing because it would still be too much!

The only people that want even more hd space are people that pirate games so offering bigger and bigger hds is counter productive and is just going to hurt them even further.
I own 100 ps games, 50 ps2 games and plan to own at least 25-50 ps3 games and I want an even smaller hd not a bigger one! Offer a fucking 10gb model for $300 and I'm all over it.

smokehouse

07-09-2007, 07:20 AM

I agree. This isn’t an issue of storage space; it’s an issue of price point and titles available. Let’s face it, there are still no titles on the PS3 that the majority of gamers feel is worth the asking price...that's why they currently sit on store shelves

Lowering the unit $100 is a start, now they need some must-have titles. The 80Gb unit is a slap in the face. There were other difference between the 20Gb unit and 60Gb other than just 40Gb. In a world where a 120Gb hard drive is considered small, adding 20Gb and throwing in a “rental at best” game is absurd, especially figuring the price. You’re getting a $60 game and paying $40 for 20Gb...what a joke.

DeputyMoniker

07-09-2007, 07:56 AM

"Our initial expectation is that sales should double at a minimum," Jack Tretton, chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment America

Maybe for the first 7 days. :roll:

Trebuken

07-09-2007, 08:04 AM

I think they will sell more units, just not all that many more; until the holidays.

The 80GB is really hard to understand. Microsoft set the bar with 120GB so why only 80? The cost cannot be that significant, can it? I don't get this.

Edit:
------
I got it: they are attempting to make the hardware profitable, like Microsoft has with the Elite.

heybtbm

07-09-2007, 08:07 AM

Let�s face it, there are still no titles on the PS3 that the majority of gamers feel is worth the asking price...that's why they currently sit on store shelves.

Actually there are a lot of great titles on the PS3 right now...the problem is, most are ports of 360 games. I think when people bring up the PS3 having little in the way of decent software, they just think "lack of exclusives" and totally forget the (slightly inferior) ports of 360 games. If you only had a PS3 and not a 360, you still have quite a few good games.

7th lutz

07-09-2007, 08:42 AM

Oobgarm

07-09-2007, 09:07 AM

Meh-replacing the HDD with a larger one is a snap. Why pay their higher price when you can get your own?

I don't care either way, personally, as it's going to be quite some time before I can afford a PS3.

Vectorman0

07-09-2007, 09:22 AM

PentiumMMX

07-09-2007, 09:38 AM

It's about time the PS3's price drops...However, they need to get some good games out there that will make the PS3 worth buying (They get that new Ratchet & Clank out, and I might consider it).

psychic1

07-09-2007, 10:04 AM

A price drop after 8 months seems awfully soon. Is it just me or is this something that hasn't been seen in a while? What were the last consoles that saw a price drop so soon? 3DO, Jaguar, Virtual Boy?

Here's a history lesson from the last generation consoles.

Xbox - First price drop was after 6 months from 299 to 199(33%)
Playstation 2 - First price drop was after 19 months from 299 to 199(33%)
Gamecube - First price drop was after 6 months from 199 to 149(25%)

Playstation 3 - First price drop was after 8 months from 599 to 499(16%)

Dangerboy

07-09-2007, 10:09 AM

It's still $20 less for a better system with more items in the box. I vote Elite.

agbulls

07-09-2007, 10:22 AM

Confirmed by CNN!!!!

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/07/09/sony.price.reut/index.html

le geek

07-09-2007, 10:40 AM

It's still $20 less for a better system with more items in the box. I vote Elite.

Aww come on! The wifi is nice at least! :-P heh

Anyway, it's a step in the right direction, but I think I've already decided to get a 360 (once it's price has dropped) and skip PS3 this round.

Cheers,
Ben

Garry Silljo

07-09-2007, 11:35 AM

I feel sony is ripping people off selling a ps 3 with a 20more GB for a $100.00 when it gets releasing in August.

This is not a big jump in adding storage memory for the $100.00 more in price. Sony should've done it right for increasing hard drive space like making it as big as microsofts hard drive for the 360.

I'm usually not one to defend Sony, but get your facts straight. You aren't paying $100 more for just the storage. There is a $60 game in that box too.

walrusmonger

07-09-2007, 01:13 PM

I'm usually not one to defend Sony, but get your facts straight. You aren't paying $100 more for just the storage. There is a $60 game in that box too.

Not just a game, but a great game too! ;)

The $600 package really is a great deal, no matter how "anti-over $300 consoles" you are.

Some rumors say that the 360 will drop to $250 for core, $350 for premium and $400 for elite, even at these prices, the $600 PS3 blows it away for value purposes. Compare the Elite to the 80gb PS3, you'd need to get the HDDVD drive, a game, a play and charge kit, AND the wifi dongle to match the system (an extra $380). Of course you'll want to get a set of component cables ($20) or a HDMI cable ($5 to $100 depending on how big of a tool you are) but that's worth the ps1 and ps2 playback!

I'm done preaching for the PS3, but it's really a great system.

jajaja

07-09-2007, 01:26 PM

A price drop after 8 months seems awfully soon. Is it just me or is this something that hasn't been seen in a while? What were the last consoles that saw a price drop so soon? 3DO, Jaguar, Virtual Boy?

Clearly the PS3 won't be that kind of a failure, but it shows the PS3 is doing very poorly.

I remember that the first Xbox dropped like $150-200 within the 1st or 2nd month after the release here in Europe (atleast where i live). People who already had bought an Xbox got 2 free games and a controller (or 1 free game and 1 controller, dont quite remember what it was, but it was free stuff atleast).

heybtbm

07-09-2007, 01:34 PM

For those on the fence...

...this may be as cheap as the 100% backwards compatible "emotion engine" PS3's ever get. I would bet by the next price drop, all the PS3's available will be the "software emulation" pieces of crap that the rest of the world (sans Japan) have to deal with. I'd be interested if these 80 gig models have the PS1/PS2 hardware inside when they're released.

Mobius

07-09-2007, 01:40 PM

"Today, Sony confirmed to GameSpot that a fusillade of reports from US retailers had augured last week.

That's a damn good thesaurus that guy's got.

segagamer4life

07-09-2007, 02:00 PM

Not just a game, but a great game too! ;)

The $600 package really is a great deal, no matter how "anti-over $300 consoles" you are.

Some rumors say that the 360 will drop to $250 for core, $350 for premium and $400 for elite, even at these prices, the $600 PS3 blows it away for value purposes. Compare the Elite to the 80gb PS3, you'd need to get the HDDVD drive, a game, a play and charge kit, AND the wifi dongle to match the system (an extra $380). Of course you'll want to get a set of component cables ($20) or a HDMI cable ($5 to $100 depending on how big of a tool you are) but that's worth the ps1 and ps2 playback!

I'm done preaching for the PS3, but it's really a great system.

I wanna get one, but I just can't justify it I like the idea of the new Ninja Gaiden... but nothing else.. and I played motorstorm, not bad, but not "impressive". I am not bashing the system, but can someone who has one, help me out here, is blueray disk that incredible.... thanks in advance.

Nesmaster

07-09-2007, 04:17 PM

I'm gonna jump on now. Combine the fact that I have $550 in credit at Blockbuster plus the 5 free movie deal right now, and the fact that I want to get one before they remove the emotion engine = perfect time for me to jump on board. Now whether I even use it until something like Drake or Little Big Planet comes out... we'll see.

Nintendo Gamer

07-09-2007, 04:39 PM

.....

7th lutz

07-09-2007, 04:43 PM

I'm usually not one to defend Sony, but get your facts straight. You aren't paying $100 more for just the storage. There is a $60 game in that box too.

I don't think the $600.00 for the system is not as good as it sounds with the 80 gb ps 3 having limited Capatability with sony getting a rid of the chip previously used for US backwards compatibility if the person wants to play ps 1and ps 2 games on a ps 3. The future 80 GB ps 3 owners in the United States will have to get a software upgrade for the system to be able to play ps 1 and ps 2 games with it being limited.

I got it from Joystiq. Here is the link: http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/80gb-ps3-has-limited-backwards-compatibility/

The old ps 3 systems were not limited as the new ps 3 systems will be so the $600.00 between the two was a trade. The consumers got more memory on a hard disk drive with 80 GB ps 3 with a game, but with much less campatability.

For me this wouldn't be an issue woth Campatability, but with some consumers it might be. The amount of money spent for a system with a game and a 80 gb hard disk drive is a lot.

What I want to know why the Ps3 80 GB 80 is not cheaper if the newer 60GB ps 3's will not doesn't have the previous backwards campatability chips also?

I Don't believe spending over $300.00 for a video game system. For me anyway, a ps 3 is out my range with all the money I've been spending like a new Custom made computer just over $1,000, having dental working without dental insurance like fillings, and paying up my 10 day vocation in late August, saving money for merchandise on vocation along with paying for travel insurance it is not reasonable for me to get one right now.

GrandAmChandler

07-09-2007, 04:57 PM

Threads Merged. No need to have both threads active.

-GAC-

Anthony1

07-09-2007, 04:58 PM

That's a damn good thesaurus that guy's got.

I'm sure you already know this, but that wasn't me, I was quoting the GameSpot article.

jajaja

07-09-2007, 06:36 PM

What I want to know why the Ps3 80 GB 80 is not cheaper if the newer 60GB ps 3's will not doesn't have the previous backwards campatability chips also?

It is cheaper, but since its first being launched in the US now thats the price. If it was launched back in November 2006 it would probly be $650 or maybe even $700.

MarioMania

07-09-2007, 07:17 PM

the PS3 won't hit the $200 mark like in 10 years

Ed Oscuro

07-09-2007, 09:49 PM

I'm usually not one to defend Sony, but get your facts straight. You aren't paying $100 more for just the storage. There is a $60 game in that box too.
Well, that game's worth $60 to some people.

Of course I agree that you're right, but it's more about the impression - people see it and will think "well, there's a game disc, and a slightly bigger hard drive...eh?"

Also, if the game is worth $60, how much is that extra 20 GB drive adding? $40?

deejay726

07-09-2007, 11:13 PM

Toysrus.com has it for $499 right now and five free blu ray movies

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2549778&cp=2290624

Nesmaster

07-10-2007, 12:35 AM

Toysrus.com has it for $499 right now and five free blu ray movies

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2549778&cp=2290624

That coupon is good for any Blu-ray player bought from anywhere, as long as you get a receipt.

j_factor

07-10-2007, 04:26 AM

Wow, that 80 gb model is ridiculous. A c-note for a game and 20 gigs of more space? Who the hell will buy that? Unless there's something else extra that wasn't reported, bringing that out is just a waste of time and money for Sony IMO. Also, bringing out a new $600 model right after cutting the price from $600 must not be good as far as public perception. I mean, there basically is no price drop -- just more stuff for the same prices. Just when I thought Sony had wisened up about the multiple SKUs thing, too. Lame.