There's always the theory that Sony wants to keep PS2 sales healthy by removing backwards comopatability from PS3. That seems to have some real merit if they're actually discontinuing the backwards-compatible model in Europe.

Personally, when I consider the possibility that PS3 will stop being backwards compatible altogether, I do start thinking about buying a PS2.

£50 as in pounds, not euro. That's $100 bucks for you my friend.

The 40GB didn't its not like it's Halo 3 its obviously not gonna sell millions on the first week next week will be higher, the reason the 60GB went up is because everybody who wants a 60GB PS3 is rushing to the store right in case they get discontinued.

PS3 sales are gonna be around 50 000 in America per week now with the new 40GB.
(I hope)

Hardware sales are from the 13th..

 I stand corrected - and yet, I still maintain my point. Two of the better games for the system (I believe the UK starter pack has always been Resistance and Motorstorm), an extra controller and extra storage space. Easily worth the $100 US.

And where do you see this? 

If I am not mistaken leo-j, this is only for the UK.

The 40 is not a flop and a title like that does scream for attention of negative posts. It's week 1 of the new sku and lower prices in the "Others" area and the price drop and the new lower priced sku brought the traffic in. It was the deal that they get with the 60 that convinced them to buy that version. Unless they were braindead or just buying a 2nd PS3, it would make sense to go with the starter pack because of the extras involved.

Wait and see what the 40gb does once the 60 is out of stock and there are no more starter packs. I'm sure you'll see that sales will just migrate to the 40gb and not drop off much if at all.

Never satisfied. do you waqnt a nice 46" bravia full hd for 400 too ?

if starter pack = 400, what about xbox elite and wii ? 200 and 50 $ ?

Im sorry, but did anyone truly expect for this to take off out of the gate?

You would be brain dead to plunk down the extra 50 pounds for 2 extra games, BC, more USB ports, etc.