Yesterday, Gamer.Blorge.com reported that sales of the PS3 were up 178% in the UK but at that time it wasn't clear if that was due to the introduction of the cheaper 40GB model or the soon to be discontinued 60GB model which is being sold with two games.  It's now been determined that the 40GB model is a certified flop.

According to PSPSPS, almost 90% of people buying a PS3 opted for the 60GB model which included two games for only £50 more than the 40GB model which did not include games.

It's not really clear what Sony's game is, first it was a 20GB and 60GB model and no one was interested in the 20GB model so it got discontinued and then it was only the 60GB model and now it's being discontinued and replaced with a less capable 40GB model. 

The new 40GB model only has two USB ports (as opposed to four on the 60GB version) and has poorer backwards compatibility with PS2 games as it uses a software emulator and contains no PS2 hardware as the 60GB version does.

What's next Sony?  Resurrecting the 20GB model, perhaps by introducing a "Slim PS3," who knows?

It's been suggested that Sony is using a bit of reverse psychology which makes about as much sense as anything else that's been said.

http://gamer.blorge.com/2007/10/17/soaring-sales-of-ps3-thanks-to-60gb-model-40gb-version-flops/

"Reverse Psychology" is not exactly the term I would use ...

Every once in a while I run into a co-worker who, upon receiving a request they don't approve of, will find the way to meet your needs in a very negative way. I don't expect that this is what has happened with the PS3, but this wouldn't be the first time I have seen an action like this produced because of very negative reasons.

"They wan't a less expensive system ... We'll give them a less expensive system!"

Wow, interesting. This article is incorrect though. The 40GB isn't less backwards compatible with PS2 games; it's not backwards compatible with PS2 games at all. The original source is a statement from the ChartTrack's video game reporter, so I would assume it's reasonably accurate. This may be bad news. If people are in a rush to buy the 60GB, when it's phased out sales might drop again.

I'm not sure if you can consider selling 2000 more than the Wii as 'soaring'.

Frantically flapping about in a desperate attempt to keep up would be more accurate.

The 60gb model is clearly much better value!

In stores near me 40gb model with nothing else is £299.99 yet the 60gb model with any game and any blu ray disk is £349.99.

Sony had stated that they discontinued the 20GB PS3 in America due to lack of interest so perhaps they are running into the same issue. Even though it may be more expensive, people usually buy the better system if they have a choice, which is why the GBA SP, DS lite, PSP slim, Xbox Elite have sold better.

Also the 40GB lacks BC, so I'm sure a lot are picking up 60gb for that reason too.

hum,

it was expected since the starter pack offer is so much better.
I have already found 1 retailer in Paris which is sold out.

Now the big question zre :

- when the 60gb model will be sold out ?
- will people buy the 40gb when the 60gb is sold out ?

I dont think this momentum will stay very long because of the lake of games right now on the PS3
BUT
later this year, when some games like Unchartred/ratchet/PES/CoD4 will be out
THEN
people will began to really consider the 40gb 400 euros model.

I still expect the PS3 to sell better than the Xbox360 in PAL from now to the end of they year.

To bad ... I hoped that it will help sales a bit more :?

the 60gb starter pack is a much better value, is this very surprising? once the starter pack is no longer available we will get a more accurate perception of how the 40gb will be received. to stay it "flopped" at this point is simply a generalization based on very little evidence.

I'd like more real price cuts and less cutting of features that are important to many gamers.

I bet a lot of people would buy the 60 GB at $400...I don't see why they don't just cut their losses and drop the price on the SKU that's actually good. It'd "soar" even more I'm sure.