DailyTech - Sony Showcases 20GB and 60GB PS3s

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Gadgets Sony Showcases 20GB and 60GB PS3s
Brandon Hill (Blog) - August 22, 2006 8:35 AM

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62 comment(s) - last by anonymo.. on Aug 23 at 1:21 PM

20GB PlayStation 3

60GB PlayStation 3

New images released of Sony's upcoming console(s)

Sony has released some new images of the its PlayStation 3 which showcase the styling differences between the 20GB and 60GB versions of the console. For now, the only differences externally (other than the lack of a HDMI port and media reader on the lesser model) is the 60GB version's silver trim around the Blu-ray drive slot and below the four front-mounted USB ports as well as silver Spider-Man-esque PlayStation 3 lettering on top of the console. The 20GB model makes do with black trim all around.

Sony's PS3 is due to launch on November 17 with a price tag of $499 for the baseline version and $599 for the high-end model with wireless, 60GB hard drive, multi-card reader and HDMI.

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Bloatware lovers

By Tilmitt on 8/22/2006 9:28:27 AM , Rating: 1

Omg how can anyone think that the 60GB version looks better than the 20GB? Adding all this extra silver bloat to the outside sticks out like a sore thumb against the black case and just looks like really arbitrary bloat for the sake of it. I will never understand how people love to tack on this extra junk and think it looks better. Dell laptops feature something similar. To me it seems inexplicable that people don't try to strip away all the extra ugly junk. It's the basics of making something pretty. The design of Apple's iBooks is really pretty and almost universally praised. Yet the same people go off and buy all these bloated up Dell-like feature-ridden uglyfests and call them pretty.

Give me the hardware in the 60GB version with the less bloated 20GB design.

RE: Bloatware lovers

By probedb on 8/22/2006 9:32:50 AM , Rating: 2

I'm sure bloated means bigger, how is the 60Gb bigger? It's just a silver/chrome strip instead of a black one surely?

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RE: Bloatware lovers

By Tilmitt on 8/22/06, Rating: -1

RE: Bloatware lovers

By justinf on 8/22/2006 9:40:36 AM , Rating: 3

Wow color bloat. Are you one of those kinds of guys?
Like a inter designer from San Francisco or something.

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RE: Bloatware lovers

By Tilmitt on 8/22/2006 9:51:22 AM , Rating: 3

I don't know what you mean. However if you're saying I don't like colourful things then, well I love them! Alot of people I know have an obsession with gray or silver (glorified gray) because they think it looks professional or something stupid. They fear colours in case they're called childish or just have this big ego problem...well I think so. Better a child that's true to themselves and enjoys bright colours that some crusty old pseudo professional. Ok so I'm kinda talking crap. Anyway the point is that the 60GB does have in my oppinion a big bloat problem. It's not that you can't use colours, but its use is just terrible and destroys what would be an elegant design. There are plenty of really pretty colourful designs too, you can still make them really elegant too. Like the old iMac G3's.

Also I'd like to note that I actually have a PowerBook G4, which is silver (gray!!) and I actually think it's pretty ugly. I wish it was white....or orange! But I needed the hardware or whatever.

And finally no I'm not an interior designer....just a computer engineering university student...

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RE: Bloatware lovers

By Myrandex on 8/22/2006 10:07:30 AM , Rating: 2

Computer engineering student here too...although I like Silver, but then I also like colors (esp metallic colors). I haven't heard of an engineering student that needs the hardware inside of a G4 Mac laptop. It isn't bloated, you just don't like the appearence. And there is quite a bit of difference between Silver and Gray, just look at those colors on cars and the vehicles themselves look pretty different when Silver or Gray.

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RE: Bloatware lovers

By arturnowp on 8/22/2006 9:38:36 AM , Rating: 2

IMHO 20GB version look dull and 60GB is more "lively". But I'd like to see them in person to judge.

I wonder where memory card reader is hidden in 60GB 'cause as far as I'm concerned it has one. I'd also like to see back panel which all outputs.

PS. Have you noticed something "weird" This stamp PS under BR slot is always in right position no matter if the console stands horizontal or vertical

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RE: Bloatware lovers

By Noosh on 8/22/2006 9:48:59 AM , Rating: 3

I wish there was a choice (at least at the higher end model) between the two color schemes.
arturnowp you beat me to the logo thing! LOL

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RE: Bloatware lovers

By guacamojo on 8/22/2006 9:50:18 AM , Rating: 2

Maybe that little PS logo is attached to a swivel mechanism so that it's always upright? That would be a real waste of money... so I guess the brand manager didn't want the photos to depict the trademarked PS logo on its side. I wonder if I can modify mine in the same way? (If I buy one, that is.)

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RE: Bloatware lovers

By rrsurfer1 on 8/22/2006 9:50:42 AM , Rating: 2

Haha, yea I just took a look. Looks like they want that PS logo right-side up for these PR shots. Some big-wig probably ordered that :)

I doubt it swivels in "real-life" but who knows.

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RE: Bloatware lovers

By bighairycamel on 8/22/2006 10:47:14 AM , Rating: 2

The PS2's logo would swivel. It was like 3 years before I realized it, but the front face plate logo can shit 90 degrees. Neato huh?

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RE: Bloatware lovers

By Xavian on 8/22/2006 9:45:07 PM , Rating: 2

that is one hell of a typo.

the PS2 can 'shit' 90 degrees indeed

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RE: Bloatware lovers

By bighairycamel on 8/23/2006 9:21:28 AM , Rating: 2

Yah I read it and laughed. If I could do that, I could just crap in a urinal. Who needs to sit down?!

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RE: Bloatware lovers

By kextyn on 8/22/2006 11:08:10 AM , Rating: 2

If you look at the pictures from when the PS3 was first announced last year you can clearly see the multi format card reader to the left of the BR slot. That panel opens up and you have one of those 6/12/20/whatever in 1 card readers.

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RE: Bloatware lovers

By skyyspam on 8/22/2006 12:53:57 PM , Rating: 2

How many dudes out there would say that your girlfriend is hot, and how many guys wouldn't touch her with a 10-foot pole? Do you find your mom attractive? Your dad must have at some point, whatever you may think. If she's ugly, do you criticize your dad for marrying her?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Of course you'll never understand why people like the things they do.

But it would have been nice for Sony to let consumers have some sort of choice. Maybe you'll be able to buy a kit later on, like those dell quick-snap devices.

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Meh

By Master Kenobi

(blog) on 8/22/2006 9:08:22 AM , Rating: 4

Well the 60GB version looks alot better than the 20GB, but still it looks like a Foreman Grill....

RE: Meh

By rushfan2006 on 8/22/2006 9:21:36 AM , Rating: 2

PS3 surprised me a little on its size, for whatever reason I wasn't expecting it to be as big as it is. I have a Foreman's Grill btw (which I use about 3 times a year, it was a gift)...and trust me the PS3 is a lot better looking that a Foreman's grill.

Still not gonna get a PS3 though either way so in the end it doesn't much matter to me.

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RE: Meh

By Strunf on 8/23/2006 8:23:29 AM , Rating: 2

You are forgetting it has the power supply inside unlike the XBox 360.

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RE: Meh

By Quiksel on 8/22/2006 10:36:21 AM , Rating: 3

Foreman grill looks or not, I think I still want one... when they drop in price, that is.

$600 for a console is more than I will EVAR be willing to pay. Maybe in 20 years when inflation catches up, but not today. :)

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RE: Meh

By Roy2001 on 8/22/2006 6:45:13 PM , Rating: 2

It is so ugly.

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RE: Meh

By GhandiInstinct on 8/22/06, Rating: -1

RE: Meh

By AlexWade on 8/22/2006 2:57:29 PM , Rating: 1

They are both ugly. End of discussion.

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RE: Meh

By Crank the Planet on 8/22/2006 10:10:54 PM , Rating: 2

PS3- THAT"S FOR ME!!!

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the $600 console

By R Nilla on 8/22/2006 11:18:37 AM , Rating: 3

What is everyone's aversion to paying $600 for a console? Considering that the XBOX360 is about half that (and the Wii will presumably also be half that), I can understand the disgust with a $600 price tag---I certainly don't plan on buying one---but is it really that expensive, all things considered?

Admittedly, I haven't done my homework and I don't know too much about the PS3, but I challenge you to build a graphically- and technologically- equivalent computer that can do everything the PS3 should be able to do, for the same price of $600. To build a decent gaming machine will most likely require at least close to double that price, considering the GPU will easily eat up half of that $600 allowance.

I'm not clear on the exact list of specifications but I assume multi-core processing, top of the line graphics, Blu-Ray capabilities and broadband connectivity are all part of the equation (not to mention a wireless controller).

I realize that in a couple years these consoles will become dated compared to the latest and greatest PC title graphics, and while you can upgrade your PC, your stuck with what's in your console box. However, it seems to me that while $600 is no steal (especially compared to $300), it is at least somewhat reasonable.

[Maybe I should post this in the forums, as I'd be interested to hear what people have to say.]

RE: the $600 console

By Loc13 on 8/22/2006 12:18:24 PM , Rating: 2

it's just a matter of what kind of games you're into. Sure if you're into FPS, a PC is the right choice for you. I don't know how many games or the quality of games coming out for PS3, but one thing about the PS2 is developer support. There are SO MANY good games (including import ones that never released in the US) in PS2, they might make their way to PS3 as sequels eventually. I have the PC ported version of ONIMUSHA 3 and DEVIL MAY CRY 3, and they still look ugly playing on a PC (6800GS, not the best card in the world, but much better than the PS2 graphic card, i suppose). I will get one as soon as i graduate from college next May, or maybe even this christmas depending the launch lineup.

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RE: the $600 console

By ani4ani on 8/22/2006 1:48:23 PM , Rating: 2

I am still bemused by the whole PS3 being expensive when compared to the XBOX 360?

For a start, the XBOX 360 is $399 [more over here in the UK, i.e. around $450], it only has a 20 GB hard drive, no HDMI and no HD DVD. Even if M$ could sell the add on HD DVD option for $200, which lets face it it has too to be the same price as the PS3, then it still has no HDMI and only 20 GB hard drive. A fully featured XBOX 360 will be the same price as the PS3 with features missing?

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RE: the $600 console

By PurdueRy on 8/22/2006 2:28:02 PM , Rating: 2

The point is that we want a console for an attractive price that offers the features we need.

Most people don't own HDTV's yet much less an HDTV for where the console is played.

For those with HDTV, many are older models that do not have HDMI

The point of this is, I don't NEED a HD DVD player at this point and I don't need a Blu-Ray player. I don't need a card reader and I don't need HDMI. Therefore, I do not want to pay for a feature a very select minority of the consumers buying the product will actually take advantage of.

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RE: the $600 console

By ani4ani on 8/22/2006 3:16:06 PM , Rating: 2

I think you make a valid point, and I guess that is where the XBOX appears to have an "advantage" I have the XBOX, but still plan to get the PS3 because it has the features I "need" It is funny though, everyone slams the PS3 for the features it doesn't have on the "cheaper" console and slam it for the features [and cost] it has on the more expensive one :)

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RE: the $600 console

By INeedCache on 8/22/2006 3:53:28 PM , Rating: 2

It doesn't really matter how many extra features the $600 console has versus the $300, or how much better a value some may see it as. The fact is to many people $600 IS expensive for a game console. Not everyone buying these things are adults who can spend as they choose. Lots of kids want one courtesy of their parents, and for a lot of them, $600 is too much when a game console can be had for about half. My kid has an XBox because I told him I wouldn't cough up several hundred dollars extra for the Sony, as those extras aren't really a necessity for him to play games.

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RE: the $600 console

By ViperROhb34 on 8/22/2006 6:21:59 PM , Rating: 2

Alot of people dont have the money to buy an Xbox360, but they are more likely to buy it because the price of entry is lower then a PS3.. forget about total features.. if a person knows they can at LEAST get something and upgrade as they have money they'll more likely do it..

Another thing.. the PS3 won't be able to hookup easily to a windows computer and use that computer for storage of movies and music.. so Sony has to have a bigger hardrive. Either system has the means to use addon storage by USB2 .. I currently have a copy OF Windows Vista Beta2 and I can play movies from my computers 200gig hardrive via my Xbox360 onto my bigscreen tv..

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The Logo

By Noosh on 8/22/2006 9:45:42 AM , Rating: 2

It seems that the PlayStation (under the drive slot) logo rotates (or is rotated for the sake of the pics). if you enlarge the picture, you'll see it. Interesting!

RE: The Logo

By justinf on 8/22/2006 9:57:56 AM , Rating: 2

Hey go check your PS2 sign does that also!! Wow where has ecery one been.

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RE: The Logo

By justinf on 8/22/2006 9:59:45 AM , Rating: 2

They really spin 90 degrees on the PS2. Go check, I'll wait.

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RE: The Logo

By Noosh on 8/22/2006 10:07:56 AM , Rating: 2

Cool.... I don't own a PS2... Been considering the PS3 though.... Maybe after the MGS4, GT, and F1 2007 (06) come out! ;-)

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RE: The Logo

By Scorpion on 8/22/2006 2:41:54 PM , Rating: 2

The Logo swivels! OMG that's it I'm definatly buying one now!!!

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RE: The Logo

By Blackraven on 8/22/2006 11:17:03 AM , Rating: 4

Seriously, what happened to the super-shiny ultra metallic PIANO BLACK VERSION???

At E3 2005, it was the best looking black console EVER!!!

Now after one year, they just show off a watered-down version? The 20 GB looks better but has too few features and is just looks like a PS2 (exterior) while the 60 GB has more punch but the chrome just ruins the premium experience.

Good heavens, I don't want to pay 30k pesos (or more) for a console that doesn't even have piano black on it.

Sony, I want a 100% PIANO BLACK PS3. You hear me!!!

If you don't release one on or before Jan 2008, then you won't be getting any ponies from me.

P.S.

What happened to the White and Silver versions?

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The "only" difference is....

By dice1111 on 8/22/2006 9:27:10 AM , Rating: 2

To me, it makes no sence to buy the 20GB version. You're missing out on a lot of top end features. Blue-Ray for one, wireless, and HDMI. That is enough to justify spending the extra $100.

Now if only they would "only" lower the price on both of them by $200 they might have a product people would be interested in buying...

RE: The "only" difference is....

By Brandon Hill

(blog) on 8/22/2006 9:31:22 AM , Rating: 2

The 20GB model has Blu-ray

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RE: The "only" difference is....

By probedb on 8/22/2006 9:31:35 AM , Rating: 2

How are you missing out on Blu-Ray on the lower model? Both models have a BR drive and as far as I'm aware no titles released so far require HDMI for hi-def?

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RE: The "only" difference is....

By robber98 on 8/22/2006 1:55:00 PM , Rating: 2

Hi-def video over analog cable? Are you kidding me?

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RE: The "only" difference is....

By George Powell on 8/22/2006 4:21:08 PM , Rating: 2

Been done for years using component video.

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RE: The "only" difference is....

By lamestlamer on 8/22/2006 5:08:30 PM , Rating: 2

RGBHV can make much longer runs for significantly lower cost without image degredation. most signal problems occur from impedence mismatch, which can easily destroy high speed digital signals, but appear as ghosting over analog. Try running your HDMI or DVI over 50m and see how much you like digital.

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Please help me understand...

By Fnoob on 8/22/2006 12:11:39 PM , Rating: 2

How a not yet released console system is supposed to be "forward thinking" when it only comes with a 20 or 60G HD? I mean, damn, an 80G drive has been small for many years. A 300G drive costs like, $79 now... What gives?

Also, I couldn't give 2 shats what this thing looks like, what matters is what it can do. Do you really spend more time staring at your console, or the monitor?

RE: Please help me understand...

By jwspiker on 8/22/2006 12:21:38 PM , Rating: 2

the HD you can buy for super cheap are the 3.5 inch drives that go into desktops/towers. the ones used in the 360 and ps2 are 2.5/laptop drives, which are much more expensive. The ps3 would have been even bigger if they put in a 3.5 inch drive.

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RE: Please help me understand...

By spindoc on 8/22/2006 6:51:53 PM , Rating: 2

So 60GB isn't that bad for 2.5". Most laptops come with 60GB or 80GB.

I don't care too much what the box looks like. Anything black is ok even if it has chrome accents. I like being able to stand it on end. I'm glad they kept that feature. Also, I'm going to try spinning my PS2 logo when I get home tonight. heehee

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RE: Please help me understand...

By splines on 8/22/2006 6:54:53 PM , Rating: 1

Also, those cheap 3.5" drives aren't designed to be moved anywhere.

The 360 drives have to be warranty supported regardless if you keep them in one place or take them over to your friend's house every weekend (use of a product in the advertised fashion, since Microsoft made a point of marketing the benefit of letting you remove the drive and visit a friend with it..)

Still meh over a $1000 Blue-Ray player with a dualshock2 minus the shock and no games I'm particularly interested in that aren't coming out for 360 at some point.

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RE: Please help me understand...

By MrSmurf on 8/22/2006 7:31:19 PM , Rating: 2

Considering that no console has a HDD standard on all of its models and that this is a console and not a PC (thus your arguement is invalid), I would suggest that it's foward thinking (I don't know where you're pulling this from).

How much more space do you need on a console?

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wifi?

By dome1234 on 8/22/2006 9:17:12 AM , Rating: 2

i thought the 60G version has built-in wifi (a combi with the card reader) as well?

RE: wifi?

By Vertigo101 on 8/22/2006 9:38:32 AM , Rating: 2

He said, "For now, the only differences externally".

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RE: wifi?

By christovski on 8/22/2006 1:36:37 PM , Rating: 2

There's no card reader out front is what he meant.
I don't see it either.
Also, no WIFI antennae? Would have made that thing look slick and Jetson high tech.

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Bose lifestyle

By hstewarth on 8/22/2006 9:23:36 AM , Rating: 2

If the disk drive a small plastic cover it would look a Bose Lifestyle stereo system.

RE: Bose lifestyle

By Samus on 8/22/2006 5:26:51 PM , Rating: 2

I think the black one should be the high-end one too. Although my TV has just HD Component so I don't need HDMI anyway, don't need wireless since I have it all hardwired, and who the hell needs a mediacard reader on a game console? If all you can do is view pictures from the mediacard readers, its worthless since you'll be able to open shared pictures via the network anyway.

I have huge doubts PS3 is going to take advantage of its hard disk. I never filled up my XBOX hard drive (10GB) until I modded it and put 15 seasons of the simpsons on it (77GB right there) and my XBOX360 hard disk has 10GB left on it, and I have tons of live content loaded.

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RE: Bose lifestyle

By Strunf on 8/23/2006 8:26:28 AM , Rating: 2

It may be cheaper for them to put 20GB or 60GB disks than lower capacity ones... unless they plan to use solid state disks.

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Logo Font on Top

By sintaxera on 8/23/2006 12:11:52 AM , Rating: 2

Is it me, or is the logo on top of the machine in a font that pretty much rips off the font used to title Spider Man movies?

Every time I look at it I read PLAYSPIDER 3....

and I read quite well thank you.....

RE: Logo Font on Top

By irsyz on 8/23/2006 3:11:44 AM , Rating: 2

looks like the original xbox font, just italicized.

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RE: Logo Font on Top

By AncientPC on 8/23/2006 12:51:35 PM , Rating: 2

Sony produced the Spiderman series of movies I believe.

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Weak

By therealnickdanger on 8/22/2006 9:22:22 AM , Rating: 2

The all-black should be the high-end one. I'm so sick of "chrome" electronics.

RE: Weak

By anonymo on 8/23/2006 1:21:28 PM , Rating: 2

count your blessings...it could have spinners

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psthree

By Tiamat on 8/22/2006 12:36:05 PM , Rating: 2

ill just wait for the psthree. Probably be much cheaper by then anyways.

What about Woody?

By MonkeyPaw on 8/22/2006 10:26:04 PM , Rating: 2

I didn't see a price listed for the wooden model. What gives? I could probably sell it on eBay during the Christmas season for $1200 or more. Sure, I would be banned afterwards, but just think of the exposure!