According to ps3fanboy.com, it was sent an anonymous internal newsletter that supposedly originated from Best Buy.
The announcement states that the mega-chain retail electronics store is planning on discontinuing the PlayStation 3 80GB version which has the full array of USB ports, backwards compatibility, and memory card readers which is missing from the 40GB version.
The newsletter also indicates that Best Buy will only carry the 40GB model that is selling currently for $399. Since the introduction of the cheaper and less robust PS3, sales for Sony’s flagship game console has greatly improved. Many analysts point to the recent price reductions as the major factor in changing the minds of consumers who were previously balking at the original price of $599.
Rumors have been floating around the game community that Sony may be getting ready to launch an even cheaper version which would clock in at $299. Sony has repeatedly denied these rumors but the speculation persists.
If in fact this internal Best Buy memo is genuine, the discontinuation of the PS3 80GB version may indicate that consumers may very well have decided that a cheaper PS3 with less features is of more value than a more expensive one with all the bells and whistles.
The announcement states:
"The 80GB version of the PS3 is going closeout and won’t be replaced at this time. It will come off the planogram on Jan 28. The 60GB version should already be gone from stores. Only the 40GB version of the PS3 will be sold in Best Buy stores at this time. This means that there currently isn’t a version that is PS2 compatible.
At this time, Sony hasn’t made any announcements about new products."
Sony desperately wants to regain the crown as the leader in game consoles. If the discontinuation of the 80GB PS3 at Best Buy is an indication of what Sony plans to do in the future, you can probably bet that there will be another price reduction for the PlayStation 3.
[via ps3fanboy]
