I received the full skinny on the PS3 from Sony. In this message you will see that the 160gb model is still available and at a $399 price. If you don’t have a PS3 yet and want the extra bang for your buck, the 160gb is the way to go. Can’t wait to see how this price drop affects sales. Here’s the full release from Sony:

New Slimmer and Lighter PlayStation(R)3 to Hit Worldwide Market This September

Lower Price to Further Accelerate Expansion of the PlayStation(R)3 Platform Along with Extensive Software Title Line-up for Upcoming Holiday Season

TOKYO, Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today unveiled the new PlayStation®3 (CECH-2000A) (body color: charcoal black) computer entertainment system, featuring an extremely streamlined form factor with a 120GB Hard Disk Drive (HDD). The new PlayStation®3 (PS3®) system will become available in stores from September 1, 2009, in North America, Europe/ PAL territories and Asian countries and regions at a very attractive recommended retail price (RRP) of US$299 and euro 299, respectively. The system will become available in Japan on September 3, 2009, at a RRP of 29,980 yen (including tax). With the introduction of the new PS3 system, SCE will also reduce the price of the current PS3 with 80GB HDD to a RRP of US$299 from August 18 and euro 299 from August 19. Also in North America, the price of PS3 with 160GB HDD will be reduced to a RRP of US$399 from August 18. By launching a vast library of exciting and attractive software titles for PS3 this holiday season and offering customers a line-up of hardware models and pricing to match their preference, SCE will build on the momentum and further accelerate the expansion of the PS3 platform.

The internal design architecture of the new PS3 system, from the main semiconductors and power supply unit to the cooling mechanism, has been completely redesigned, achieving a much slimmer and lighter body. Compared to the very first PS3 model with 60GB HDD, the internal volume as well as its thickness and weight are trimmed down to approximately two-thirds. Furthermore, power consumption is also cut to two-thirds, helping to reduce fan noise. While inheriting the sleek curved body design of the original model, the form factor of the new PS3 system features a new meticulous design with textured surface finish, giving an all new impression and a casual look. With the compact body and casual appearance, the newly introduced model will appeal to a wider audience who are looking to buy the best entertainment system for their home.

Concurrently with the release of the new PS3 system, SCE will modify the PS3 brand name from “PLAYSTATION 3″ to “PlayStation 3″, and introduce a new “PS3″ logo, which is engraved on the surface of the new PS3 system. By unifying under the familiar “PlayStation®” name, which represents the entire PlayStation family, PS3 together with PlayStation®2 and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) will further expand the PlayStation business, and will continue to enhance the entertainment experience along with the ever-growing PlayStation®Network.

The new PS3 continues to offer the cutting-edge features and functions of the current models, such as the ability to enjoy high-definition Blu-ray disc (BD) movies and games, as well as various content and services downloadable through the network. The new PS3’s storage size has increased from 80GB to 120GB, and with the extra capacity users will be able to store more games, music, photos, videos as well as various content and services available through PlayStation Network. Having more than 27 million registered accounts around the world, PlayStation Network offers more than 15,000 pieces of digital content, ranging from game titles, trailers, and demos to more than 15,000 movies and TV shows via PlayStation Store(*1). PlayStation Network members can also download free applications, such as PlayStation Home, a ground-breaking 3D social gaming community available on PS3 that allows users to interact, communicate and share gaming experiences, as well as Life with PlayStation, which offers users various news and information on a TV monitor in the living room by connecting the PS3 to the network.

Since the launch of PS3 in November 2006, the number of BD-based titles has reached more than 1,000 titles and downloadable PS3 games to 1,400(*2) titles worldwide, with the support from a broad range of third party game developers and publishers. In addition to this extensive software title line-up, exciting and attractive new titles are to be released from SCE Worldwide Studios, including Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, EyePet, Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time, Heavy Rain, God of War 3, MAG, ModNation Racer, Gran Turismo 5 and more.

Other features of the new PS3 include:

- PS3 system software update version 3.00

Concurrently with the release of new PS3, system software will be
upgraded to version 3.00 on September 1. The update adds various user-
friendly features such as the “What’s New” screen, where users can
quickly browse the new items available in PlayStation Store as well as
their recently played games directly on the XMB(TM) (XrossMediaBar),
with short cuts to each piece of content. PS3 will evolve continuously
with the system software updates, further improving the operability and
enhancing the user experience available through the network. PS3 owners
will be able to enjoy new features by simply updating the PS3 system
software to version 3.00 via the “System Update” function on the
XMB(*3).

- BRAVIA(R) Sync(TM) Feature

The new PS3 system is also equipped with the BRAVIA(R) Sync(TM) feature.
By connecting the new PS3 system and a BRAVIA TV with the HDMI cable,
users are able to directly operate the XMB on PS3 using the TV remote
control. Other functions include “System Standby” that will
automatically turn off the PS3 system when the BRAVIA TV is turned
off(*4).

- “Vertical Stand” for new PS3 (CECH-2000 series)

By utilizing the separately sold “Vertical Stand”, users will be able to
set the new PS3 in vertical position(*5), making it easier to place the
PS3 system anywhere at home. The vertical stand will become available
in Japan on September 3, 2009, at a RRP of 2,000 yen (including tax) and
in North America at US$24(*6).

- Removal of “Install Other OS” feature

The new PS3 system will focus on delivering games and other
entertainment content, and users will not be able to install other
Operating Systems to the new PS3 system.

Along with a vast line-up of attractive and exciting entertainment content with the new PS3 system, SCE will continue to further expand the PS3 platform and create a new world of computer entertainment.

*1 Number as of end July 2009. Content within PlayStation Store will
differ by region, please refer to the official PlayStation.com site
for further details.
*2 Includes PS one(R) classics and free of charge content (downloadable
demos).
*3 Users will need to connect their PS3 to the network to use the
function.
*4 Users will need to use BRAVIA TV that supports the BRAVIA Sync
feature. For further information about BRAVIA Sync, please refer to
the official Sony site in each region.
*5 Users will need to use the separately sold “Vertical Stand” to set
the new PS3 in vertical position.
*6 Release date of the vertical stand for North America will be
announced when available. Release date and price of the vertical
stand for Europe/ PAL territories and Asian countries and regions
will be announced when available.

Product Outline
PlayStation(R)3 (CECH-2000A)

Product name PlayStation(R)3

Product code CECH-2000A (Charcoal Black)

CPU Cell Broadband Engine(TM)

GPU RSX(R)

Audio output LPCM 7.1ch, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital
Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS-HD, AAC.

Memory 256MB XDR Main RAM, 256MB GDDR3 VRAM

Hard disk 2.5″ Serial ATA 120GB(*1)

Inputs/ Hi-Speed USB
Outputs(*2) (USB 2.0) 2

Networking Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX,
1000BASE-T) x 1

IEEE 802.11 b/g

Bluetooth(R) 2.0 (EDR)

Controller Wireless Controller (Bluetooth(R))

AV output Resolution 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i (for PAL
576p, 576i)

HDMI OUT
connector(*3) 1

AV MULTI OUT
connector 1

Digital out
(optical)
connector 1

BD/DVD/CD Maximum read BD x 2 (BD-ROM)
drive (read rate DVD x 8 (DVD-ROM)
only) CD x 24 (CD-ROM)

Power AC 220 – 240, 50/60Hz(*4)

Power consumption Approx. 250W

External dimensions Approx. 290 x 65 x 290 mm (width x height
(excluding maximum projecting x length)
part)

Mass Approx. 3.2kg

Included (*5) PlayStation(R)3 system x 1
Wireless Controller (DUALSHOCK(R)3) x 1
AC power cord x 1
AV cable x 1
USB cable x 1

*1 Hard disk capacity calculated using base 10 mathematics (1 GB =
1,000,000,000 bytes). System software versions 1.10 and later
calculate capacity using binary mathematics (1 GB = 1,073,741,824
bytes), which will display lower capacity and free space. A portion
of hard disk capacity is reserved for system administration, which
varies depending upon system software version, and is not available
for use.
*2 Usability of all connected devices is not guaranteed.
*3 “Deep Colour” and “x.v.Colour (xvYCC)” defined by HDMI ver.1.3a are
supported.
*4 Power changes depending on countries or regions.
*5 For certain regions, Euro-AV cable will be included.
Note: This product is not compatible with PlayStation(R)2 games.

New Logo

“PS3″(TM)

PlayStation®3

Vertical Stand (CECH-ZS1)

Product name Vertical Stand

Product code CECH-ZS1

Included Vertical Stand (CECH-ZS1) x 1

External dimension Approx. 88 mm x 18 mm x 260 mm (width x height
x length)

Mass Approx. 115g

Supports CECH-2000 series

* The “Vertical Stand” is for the new PS3 system (CECH-2000 series) and
cannot be used on the current model.