First rumoured back in April, as usual, when the FCC registrations were spotted, the new CECH-3000A/B models have now been found by andriasang on Sony’s Japanese PlayStation site. They are simply a new hardware revision of the PS3 Slim and do not add new features or even larger hard disk drives.
The CECH-3000B model retains the 320GB HDD found in current ‘B’ models. The CECH-3000A (160GB) model is not, yet at least, granted its own product page but will feature in the amazing Tales of Xillia livery (see picture below) for that bundle. The two main differences are the power consumption rating which drops 30W to 200W and a drop in weight from 3kg to 2.6kg.
While the differences are small and of only marginal interest to consumers at the moment beyond saving a few cents/pence/yen on your electricity bill they will surely increase the hardware’s profitability for Sony. The lower power consumption and weight suggests a reduced component count due to consolidation and a reduction in the cooling paraphernalia required to stop the PS3 melting itself.
Direct manufacturing costs are therefore likely to be lower than they have been. Beyond that the reduced weight may well mean packaging costs are lower as there is less mass to protect against drops in transit. The shipping costs for the consoles will be lower too if shipped by weight or possibly volume if Sony has managed to shrink the packaging.
All these probable cost savings mean that the already profitable hardware for Sony has become even more so and certainly gives Sony more wriggle room if the price cuts that are rumoured for later this year come to fruition.
blackredyellow
I hope this means the price of the previous models will drop a bit. I’m still on my launch day 60GB and, although I love it, would like some more space for game data!
Thechunkymunky
Why don’t you slot a new hard drive in? or you wanting to upgrade?
blackredyellow
Because I don’t know how, and I don’t want to tamper with old faithful! 320GB when the price drops will be a welcome addition.
Carl
It, uh, tells you how in your PS3 user manual ;)
rainydays458
I want it! Please, please, please come over to the EU!
Reality Check
COOL! ! ! P!S!2! PLAYBACK THEN!? !? !?. . .oh erm no, yet again my dreams have been shattered :-(
Oh i suppose SONY say we don’t need it. . .blah blah blah. . .
Anyway i might get the newer version if it saves power + is lighter :P
Smallville2106
Looks pretty sweet.
gazzagb
Typical. I only ordered a new PS3 last night! At least it’s nothing major, just lighter and greener.
mugsybalone
Greener? Oh no, it’s still black.
PoorPaddy89
Me too! Got the dreaded YLOD on saturday and ordered the inFamous 2 bundle from Game.
MrTwP
Thought that the new version was backward compatible with PS2 games
PoorPaddy89
Why do that when they can sell us the classics range? Makes no sense for them business-wise.
Awayze
They shoulda just slimmed down the original phat PS3.
When will Sony add rear USB ports?!?!? I dont like PS Eye wires being a big mess in front of my console.
PoorPaddy89
Very true, but you need to have some in front as well to easier plug in controllers to charge. I say 2 in the rear, 4 in the front. Like a good porn movie.
blackredyellow
Hah! Probably my favourite comment of the day.
Shakugan
Sooooo beautiful! :)
The Lone Steven
Oh, i was hoping it would be a PS3 capable of supporting a TB harddrive and comes with a TB one. As i think the PS3 can’t support TB harddrves at the moment.:( Seeing as my PS3 is living on borrowed time, i may just get this when it comes out here as i should have a job then.:D