I have quite a bit of questions about the SONY PS3. please answer whatever you can. thanks?

Question

why didnt sony use the hardware in the new 80gb that they had in the 60gb for Backwards compatibility? instead the 80gb uses software emulation which allows less BC with ps2 games. also what are ALL the differences between the 60 and 80 gigs? i ALSO heard sony will stop making BC in ps3's. is this true? if so i better go buy one today with the metal gear solid 4 bundle!

Answer 1

That is a question you would have to ask Sony.  No one here should know the answer unless they work with Sony.

Answer 2

Sony didn't use the 60gb hardware in the 80gb because of the production costs. Sony loses money on each PS3 sold, but people weren't willing to buy the PS3 at its launch price. To lower the price Sony removed the hardware backwards compatibility. They still lose money on each console sold, but the consumer pays less now. Sony makes money on games, not the console.

The backwards compatibility is the only difference between the 60gb and 80gb PS3s (and the HDD difference). The new 80gb will be exactly like the 40gb with a larger hard drive.

I'm not certain what Sony plans to do with the current 80gb (that has BC). It certainly looks like they are going to discontinue it, so I would get one as soon as possible. The new 80gb, and the recently announced 160gb won't play any PS2 games at all. If BC is important to you I wouldn't wait (the price won't drop anytime this year anyway).

Answer 3

Cost savings in production = more profit.