Sony's 40GB PlayStation 3 will cost €400 ($566/£277) in Europe, if a product page posted on an Italian retail chain's website is to be believed. It's expected to cost $400 (€283/£196) in the US.

The website, Se-Dici Film, claims the console is available to buy immediately, which seems unlikely given the anticipated US release date of 28 October. The page lists the new console's hard drive specification as "2.5in Serial ATA (40GB)" and it also mentions the presence of four USB ports - features early reports about the new PS3 claimed would be absent from the cut-price console.

Se-Dici Film's 40GB PS3 page

There's no mention of PS2 backward compatibility, another features said to have been left out of the 40GB PS3 to help get the price down. However, the site's other PS3 pages don't mention it either, leaving that point unclear for now.

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The Se-Dici Film chain comprises over 15 stores in cities around Italy, and the website includes an option for buyers to pick up their consoles at the shops. We'd love to hear from any Register Hardware in Italy who feel like popping in and making inquiries about the product.

Readers may recall it was an Italian retailer who busted the Sony-imposed release schedule on the PS3 back in March, offering the 60GB console three days before the official release date. Other Italian suppliers quickly followed to ensure they weren't left out.

Thanks to reader Joerg for the tip

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