Rumor: $399 40GB PS3 Release Date Oct. 30th

[darkfire001]

How do we know its going to be $399?

Its basically confirmed now that there is a new SKU with a few changes like less USB Ports, but with the main design intact. People are ASSUMING that the HDs included in it will be 40Gb.

However that said, how do we know its going to be $399 with a game? Whats to say Sony won't bring it in at $499 with the game and keep the 80Gb Motorstorm bundle at $599?

I do think Sony will try and bring it in at $399, but this could end up costing them some major dough, since I doubt the cost of the machines has come down more then $200 since launch even with the removal of several features and the emotion engine.

Its a smart move by Sony though, if they do launch at $399. A price like that will make them competitive this Holiday season, but at the same time it makes it unlikely that Microsoft will drop their prices (so Sony won't have to worry about being undercut).

So with this new SKU it looks like we'll see,

PS3 ($499 & $399)
Xbox ($449 & $349 & $279)
Wii ($249)

All the companies would like an arragement like that, since its fairly "stable". Expect a lot of pack-ins and promotions, but no price drops aside from the PS3.