| MetalRain said: my expectations $299 end 2008 $249 end 2009 $199 end 2010 |
It could be a bit optomistic to expect Sony to drop it that fast based on how fast the PS2 price drops went. Unless it can find a bit more to pull out of the PS3 to help reduce costs.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS2#Price_history
- US$299.99 (October 26, 2000, release date) (CAD$449.99)
- US$199.99 (May 14, 2002) (CAD$299.99)
- US$179.99 (May 13, 2003, "temporary" pricing) (CAD$249.99)[31]
- US$179.99 (August 18, 2003, official pricing)[32]
- US$149.99 (May 11, 2004) (CAD$179.99)
- US$129.99 (April 20, 2006) (CAD$139.99)
So, in a year and a half, PS2 dropped by 1/3. In a year, PS3 dropped by 1/3, including a model shift. It wasn't until 3.5 years that the PS2 then dropped to 1/2 of its original price, and even now 7.5 years after its introduction, it is not down to 1/3 of its launch price.
I will agree that the PS2 had little competition, and thus Sony didn't need to drop its price after its first price drop. And basically, they didn't, or not much. Sony has more incentive to drop the PS3 price because of the stronger competition this time around. But, by definition, stronger competition means it will be harder to sell as many PS3 as they did with the PS2.
Taking out the costs to go from the estimated $800 per unit to perhaps $500 per unit today is an impressive feat by Sony. Now it will get much harder to cut cost. After all, if the cost to build a PS2 was reduced by 1/3 every 18 months, it would now cost $38 to make one!
Torturing the numbers. Hear them scream.
