Sony Upsizes PS3 HDs, Offers White Console

Sony will release a white version of its PlayStation 3 hardware in Japan, at the same time it expands the hard drive sizes in its product line -- instead of 120 and 250 GB sizes, the slim PlayStation 3 will be offered at 160 and 320 GB tiers. According to consumer weblog Kotaku, the 160GB model will be set at ¥29,980 ($340), and the 320GB version will retail for ¥34,980 ($400). Sony has not yet announced any plans to implement either the larger HD sizes or new color option outside of Japan, but it's likely a worldwide launch can be expected soon. The expanded HD offering is likely made possible by the greatly-reduced manufacturing cost of the PlayStation 3 relative to its predecessors -- and the concurrent lower price, which has enabled Sony to increase its install base steadily since it rolled out the Slim. By comparison, the original Piano Black and chrome PS3 launched in 2006 at $599 for a 60 GB model -- in other words, four years into the console cycle and following the redesign, Sony can now offer over five times the hard drive space for $200 less.