No, the 20gb (or 40gb) models are NOT the same for a few reasons.The 20/40gb does NOT havethe emotion engine that enables compatibility with old playstation games and furthermore I double the notion that they can look even better, I have a 60gb which you should snag upif you can because only the 60gb has this emotion engine. But there are more differences.
The 20/40gb does not have the 3 different flash/memory card readers like the 60gb and 80gb does. That is real nice feature for some people. I don't have much use for those now, butwill in the not so distant future. Also the 40gb apparently has only 2 USB slots as opposed to 4 on the other models. I think the 20gb has 4, but the 20gb is a waste. I didn't think I would use more than 20gb of my 60gb hard drive, but once I found the playstation store, I now have like 20 demo's to go along with my save games and whatever other junk that already exceed's 20gb. All the more reason I got the 60gb. 60gb is enough space without it being too much, unless you decide to never delete old demo's and have like 40 of them.
Wait, not done yet! The 20/40gb versions do NOT have wireless internet like the 60gb and 80gb have. When I bought my 60gb, I didn't even know about the wireless internet. I had a 25ft long ethernet cord running back to my room, then I learned my PS3 had wireless (and we have a wireless router), then I thanked the console gods as this made my life MUCH easier! Furthermore, the wireless picks up better signal than the network card on my desktop that sits right beside it!
Also, I hear that the 20gb model doesn't have the nice chrome trim and the 40gb doesn't have the glossy finish at all, which the other models do have. So if you are into aesthetics, maybe you care about that. Lastly, I'm hearing that the 40gb doesn't have HDMI. Yeah you can still use component cables to get some HD, but if you don't care about having HDMI now, you will in the not too distant future. Personally, no way would I buy a PS3 with no HDMI. Because since I don't have an HDTV, I was able to hook up my PS3 right to my high def capable 22" computer monitor (already had the cable for it too). And let me say that finally looking at something other than windows, pc games, and internet in HD is awesome! Even thought it is "just" 780p, it is such a huge difference from standard 480i.
In summary, if you can find a 60gb PS3, grab it while you can. Why not grab the only version that truly has EVERYTHING. Get it while you still can before it is discontinued (if it isn't already) and replaced by non-60gb"revised" PS3 versions made more cheaply (such as the 40gb). If you can't, you next best bet would be the 80gb which is exactly the same but justdoesn't have the backwards compatibility for the psx and ps2 games. However, that is a big deal, I think. Especially when you consider that many people sold their PS2's in order to buy the PS3. No doubt I want to be able to play my psx and ps2 games. While I still have a PS2, there will come a point where it will either die or I will sell it. Then I will really be greatful for the backwards compatibility of the 60gb. If I didn't have backwards compatibility, not only could I not sell my PS2, but I would have to baby the hell out of it to make sure it never dies!
In your case, there is no reason not to buy the 60gb. The only version with backward compatibility unless you can find an old 20gb somewhere, but even then you are missing out on other features aside from the fact that 20gb just isn't enough space. I feel lucky to have the 60gb and will never regret it as it is the best ps3 you can get. This thing is stacked! Go buy one. Aside from all this technical stuff and features, the PS3 and PS3 games, no matter what version, are just awesome.
P.S. Don't sit and wait for the 60gb price to drop because it may not be around much longer. In the US, with the 40gb announced, only expect to see the 80gb perhaps drop to the price that the 60gb is now. For those not caring about backwards compatibility, that is worth waiting for I suppose. But for the same price the 60gb is now, only getting 20gb but losing backwards compatibility doesn't sound like a good deal to me. And that is only "if" they drop the 80gb price, which they might, but you know they don't want to. However, I don't even guarantee that the 80gb will drop in price too soon as I think they may rely on the 40gb to sell like hotcakes, which likely is where they will finally rake in some $$.
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