I wouldn't make too much out of this announcement; the fact that there are no longer any 60GB models in Sony warehouses only means that all of these units are in the retail chain. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that we worked out from Sony's last financial statement (in July) that they had a huge surplus of units sitting around, around 2.5 million of them. All that this announcement means is that these units are now sitting in retail stores, or are on their way there, rather than sitting in Sony warehouses.

In other words, the 60GB models aren't going to disappear until Sony sells at least another 2 million units, and possibly more than that. Even though PS3 sales are up from the spring, at the very least it will take several months to sell-through all that inventory. Unless PS3 sales pick up dramatically, don't expect another price cut until 2008.

as i pointed out a bit ago, Sony themselves say that the 60 gig supply will last for several more months, and given Sony's rediculous goals for the PS3 i expect it to take even longer.

"several" is kind of a vague word but 7 months from now would be the very end of march.

Final is onto something tho. If only Sony would put out a model with no mem card reader or wi-fi and like a 20-40gb HD for $399 sales would really take off. The HD size matters very little. I mean an 80GB brand name HDD is $55 at newegg.com.

They need to copy MS and have 1 model that is at a considerably lower price point. The difference will be that Sony's bottom price point model is still FULLY functional. They still need to include a HD, just a small one and leave out the extras like wifi and memcard reader.

I think even PS3 should be able to sell through the last of the 60 GBs by the end of the year, but who knows?

Kaz said in a video interview that they'll maintain a single SKU strategy from now so we will not be seeing a 40 GB or 100 GB model unless they discontinue the new 80 GB model.

This whole 40 GB is a rumor perpetuated by a MS exec.

They probably are going to lower the price. Keeping the 600$ price would be a step backward. And if they could afford selling 60GB for 499$, they can afford selling 80GB at that price as the second one can be even cheaper to made (no Emotion Engine).

Is it even cheaper with 40GB? I think it may even be the other way around, due to increased production of larger drives.

They have to do something to get to the $399 price point. Thats when they blow by the XBox, and before Christmas would be the time to do it.

Really $450 would great. It'd match the Elite.