BREAKING: Sony officially discontinues 20 GB PS3

http://www.gamepro.com/news.cfm?article_id=108611

It's official: R.I.P., lil' buddy

Dave Karakker, SCEA's senior director of communications, has sent official word to GamePro that the company will no longer produce the 20 GB PlayStation 3 because the 60 GB model is outselling it at a 10-to-1 ratio.

Sony's official statement:

"At launch, we offered two separate models of PLAYSTATION 3 to meet the diverse needs and interests of our PlayStation fan base. Initial retail demand in North America was upwards of ninety percent in favor of the 60GB SKU, so we manufactured and shipped-in accordingly. Due to the overwhelming demand for the 60GB model from both retailers and consumers, we have ceased offering the 20GB model here in North America. In addition to the larger internal hard drive, the 60GB PlayStation 3 features added storage media slots and built-in Wi-Fi not found in the 20GB system. Based on retailer and consumer feedback, we have decided to focus our current efforts on the more popular 60GB model."

Sony passes along word that there is still a limited supply of the cheaper 20 GB models out in the wild, and that they will still be "100% supported with software and services" via the PlayStation Network.

More updates soon on this breaking story.

this is good,  this could merit a price drop on the 60gig sooner then thought

R.I.P :P but i liked the 20gig design more then 60 gig one i hate the silver cromerisi37

how can u hate the chrome?????

What a stupid move. The only way they can make this right is by lowering the price of the 60GB to $499. And we all know this will never happen. (Not for another 3+ years, I figure)Zeke129

ok did you read the article? you said it was stupid to stop making it. why would they continue to make it when the more expensive ps3 is selling 10 times as many as the cheaper one. they were smart to stop making it if they can sell more of the more expensive ones. 

this is good, this could merit a price drop on the 60gig sooner then thought

joevfx

If anything, there's going to be a price INCREASE due tot he 80G SKU. 

That officially kills the "PS3 is only $500" argument. :)LosDaddie

No one was using that argument anyways.

But it's a good thing they decided to do so.

man I wish people actually looked in the forums before blindly posting repetitive news.. theres already like 3-4 topics on this already..spliffchillum

agree

From what I remember, didn't the 20 cost $50 more to make than the 60? THAT combined with the removal of EE and reduction of chip size could possibly merit a $50-$100 drop by this fall. Right before all the big games come out for the PS3 AND Halo 3 comes out for that other system. Plus, with the increasing lead of Blu-Ray and increased production, the Blu-Ray drive probably dropped in price for them as well. The standalone players have already dropped to about $600 in many places and Sony's releasing a new full-functioned player this summer also for $600.Maverick128

Good point.

I hope you are right. 

Dammit, i wanted a 20GB.. I dont need WiFi, a card reader, and i dont like that silver trim ( DOnt like it on 360, don't like it on PS3.) I plan to upgrade the HDD regardless of either one...so i wanted a 20Gb to save soem money for a bigger HDD.JumpingMirrior

Retailers still have 20gb version available, you just need to be fast and buy it while they still exist.

That officially kills the "PS3 is only $500" argument. :)LosDaddie

does it matter when the elite is $480...  Seriously, I would go with a 60gb anyday...

Wanting to buy a ps3 20gb unopened :) time to collect it!

This opens the option for sony to lower the price on the ps3 without loosing to much money. They will probably move the 60gb ps3 pricetag down to the 20gb was on.

Ps3 20gb was costing them around 280$ (from what i heard), if they would have had a price cut on both models, it would be hurting them by alot. Specially on the 20gb model.

Anyways i believe that the price cut will be coming around fall.

Frankly, multiple SKU's was a terrible idea from day one and really only exists as a compromise for PRICE.

Multipel SKU's have proven horrible for developers (of other consoles) and EVEN WORSE end users were brutally raped with ridiculously expensive costly "attachments".

*** I'm glad Sony did away with the 20GB.

Its pretty clear Sony is aware the console is expensive which is why they are no doubt feverishly overworking some poor hardware engineers to reduce cost.  I would assume a price drop would come no sooner than when they shrink the die for the Cell processor. 

What a stupid move. The only way they can make this right is by lowering the price of the 60GB to $499. And we all know this will never happen. (Not for another 3+ years, I figure)Zeke129

Well the 60GB was outselling the 20GB by a 10-to-1 ratio so obviously the majority of consumers want the 60GB so why have 2 models when most people prefer only one? Now I dont call that stupid