Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/17/xbox_360_ps3_price_war/
Microsoft is reported to have been dropping hints it will price the Xbox 360 and the console's upcoming HD DVD drive to ensure the two packages together come in at less than Sony will charge for the PlayStation 3.
According to GamesIndustry.biz, UK retail moles claim Microsoft has suggested it wants its offering to be the cheaper of the two next-generation media players next Christmas. The report (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=17034) follows suggestions Sony may only ship the high-end PS3 package in the UK.
Sony hasn't detailed UK PS3 pricing, but the 60GB model with all the trimmings has a European price of €599 (£408). The pared-down, gamer-oriented version, with a 20GB HDD, will be priced at €499 (£340) on the Continent.
That Sony might ship only the 60GB model over here was suggested earlier this week when some online retailers began taking pre-orders for the machine but not its 20GB sibling. Sony, of course, is staying silent on the matter, and given the need the company has to get as many PS3s out there, punting a lower cost version makes some sense, particularly if the fully featured model proves particularly expensive.
Since both units will offer Blu-ray Disc playback - though not via an HDMI port in the 20GB model's case - they are both arguably more attractive HD playback devices than an Xbox 360 plus external drive, merits of the two rival optical disc formats aside. While the winner of the Blu-ray vs HD DVD battle remains unclear, Microsoft has little else to offer by way of compensation for a kludgey two-box solution other than a lower price. ®
Man makes Xbox 360 laptop (15 September 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/09/15/man_makes_xbox360_laptop/
Sony slams '150k PS3s for UK' allocation claim (5 July 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/07/05/sony_uk_ps3_allocation_claim/
MS says no to Xbox 360 with built-in HD DVD (3 July 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/07/03/ms_xbox_360_hddvd_plan/
Official Sony UK PS3 website lists 20GB model (30 June 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/06/30/sony_uk_ps3_website_20gb/
Toshiba unveils 1TB HDD/HD DVD recorder (22 June 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/06/22/toshiba_rd-a1_hd_dvd_r/
Samsung moots dual Blu-ray HD DVD player (21 June 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/06/21/samung_ponders_dual-format_hd_player/
Philips, Lite-on, BenQ prep Blu-ray drives (8 June 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/06/08/philips_benq_lite-on_blu-ray/
Sony 'unlikely' to offer 20GB PS3 in UK (23 May 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/23/sony_uk_ps3_60gb_only/
Sky vs Telewest HD showdown (23 May 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/05/23/sky_vs_telewest_hd_showdown/
PS3 to cost £425 in the UK (18 May 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/18/sony_reveals_uk_ps3_pricing/
Nintendo steals the show at E3 (18 May 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/18/e3_nintendo_announcement/
Sony PS3 sports PSP-like user interface (12 May 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/12/sony_ps3_ui/
MS tries to rain on PS3 parade with $200 Wii forecast (11 May 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/11/ms_forecasts_200_dollar_wii/
PS3s offer 'identical' functionality, Sony exec claims (11 May 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/11/sony_ps3_spec_response/
Xmas debut for Xbox 360 HD DVD drive (10 May 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/10/ms_shows_xbox_360_hddvd_drive/
Sony confirms 60GB hard drive for PS3 (9 May 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/09/sony_prices_up_ps3/
Blu-ray another Betamax - MS Xbox exec (21 April 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/21/ms_xbox_360_goes_hd_dvd/
Sony claims PS3 pricing leak 'incorrect' (6 April 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/06/sony_denies_ps3_price_range/
Microsoft ups XBox 360 shipments (22 March 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/22/xbox_numbers_up/