Sony CEO says PS3 manufactuing costs down 70% since launch

[MmmmBeeeeer]

A good sign that an imminent price drop is coming, probably for the holiday season...299.99 I bet. Also, amazon.de mysteriously popped up a listing for a PS3 Slim...

from cnet

According to Sony Corp. CEO Nobuyuki Oneda, manufacturing costs for the PlayStation 3 have dropped 70 percent since the console's launch in 2006, leading to more speculation that a price cut is coming soon.

"The cost reduction since we introduced the PS3 is very substantial and this is on schedule," said Oneda, via GI.biz "We don't disclose how much of the PlayStation 3, specifically the cost deduction, was achieved during the past two years. But that is on schedule." When asked for exact figures, he added: "About 70 percent, roughly-speaking."

At launch, the console cost, (unconfirmed), $800 USD per unit, meaning Sony was losing a substantial amount of money on each console shipped.

As of January 2008, costs had reportedly fallen 50 percent to $400 USD and now, according to the latest report, the console will cost $265 to manufacture, meaning Sony is actually making money on hardware sales, finally.

The 80GB model of the console retails for $400 USD.

http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/18684.cfm

 

[Twigg4075]

The price is what's killing Sony this gen. That and the one year leap by the 360. If they could somehow release a 120GB at $300 they might be able to get back into this "console war".

I couldn't care less. As long as they keep making great games.

 

[SethMode]

I think that this is FINALLY going to be the year that I play my PS3 more than my 360 (meaning, one year from now, not necessarily 2009). I love my 360, and it has only keeled on my once (knock on wood, FML tomorrow), but I honestly had more fun with InFamous than I have any 360 game since Mass Effect.

They have a bevy of great looking games coming out in the near and distant future...it should be great.

Oh yeah, and as if it needed explanation, I say finally not because I'm a PS3 fanboy, but rather, I don't think "is this going to be the time that it dies?" every time I turn on my PS3.