God I'm sick of hearing about diffrent versions of PS3 first 60gb then 40Gb then 80GB now 180GB make up your mind already!!!

Come on, If you were a console manufacture you would be grateful for the ability to adapt your console to your new ideas. The 160gb hdd will make more sense for new users who wish to use PLAY TV!
I have a 60gb model and would only have to change the 'laptop' hdd on board to increase my hdd space so it doesn't matter which ps3 you own unless, like me, you use the memory card ports and ps2 backwards compatibility.
Giving the user a choice is what consumers have come to expect all that matters is that you buy what is right for you!
There are 3 different models of the 360 and 2 have those have been revised since launch.
So why do sony have to be any different?

I'd have thought, if anything, this is a good thing for consumers. The newer versions with increased disk space will render all the old stock as out-of-date and for the regular person who a) doesn't mind having 40-60Gb and b) has no need for a 160Gb PS3 they will benefit from price drops, no?

Was that attempt at complaining about SONY bringing new consoles out? Oh, wow! lol. Its merely more storage space as more storage becomes cheaper and more valuable. Now, looking at Microsoft,
One console is actually redundant now because it couldn't output HD. Now another one is becoming obsolete because it doesn't have a hard drive and so can't play games like Soul Calibur IV with compulsory install without forking out for £100's to get one and being ripped off in the process. Microsoft have pissed about with their consoles from day one, what Sony is doing i merely increasing Disc space, whats your problem with that? It doesn't effect anyone else so who cares, unlike how microsoft brings out 'updated versions'

Why are we relating to MS when this topic has nothing to do with them? The first post didn't even have MS in it, yet somehow 2 & 4 have brought up MS comparing it to his comment. Dear oh dear.

Anyway back to the point, I think they should concerntrate on bringing the 80GB down in price, therefore first time buyers or PS2 user's wanting to upgrade can look to that, But I don't really see this 160GB PS3 being attractive for first time buyers. Bring the 80GB PS3 down in price then we're talking.

Arn't psp's like about £100 now or something????

normally the newer models are the cheaper to produce ones,

only difference with this new one is a microphone isn't it??

oh and a better screen.... mine works fine tho?? so if it breaks can i still just buy a £100 one??

You Sony fanboys just don't get the problem do you. Take the launch 360 model, now tell me what has been "removed" from subsequent versions from the 360.

Now take the launch 60GB PS3, now tell me what has been removed from other PS3 units...

Now do you see the point? Sony have generally released SKU after SKU (after hypocritically complaining about what MS had done) and the majority of the time, something has been removed.

You don't even have to look at different SKU's to see the removal process in action either, UK launch 60GB anyone?

Oh, and @4, I have a launch 360 running at 1080p, so which one is redundant because it can't output HD again?

See that's the other problem with Sony, it creates fanboys who pull fictional facts out of the air to try and make a point but they don't know what they are talking about.

So the 160gig is only £40 more than the 80gig? So whats the point of the 80gig then?

what I don't get is that the HD is the easiest part of the console to replace (DIY) so why bother with a factory fitted HD upgrade? Stupid.
And for those saying about PlayTV... its freeview! Why pay £340 for freeview PVR? You could buy a standalone unit (thomson, humax etc.) and a 360 Pro and still have over £50 change!!!

@IAn: Perhaps, but you wouldn't have a HD capable PVR, or one which will play Blu Ray movies.

The hard drive is incredibly easy and cheap to upgrade on the PS3 but most end users don't want to mess with things like that. If they are buying a PS3 and want the extra storage, in my experience they will buy the 160GB version rather than a smaller one and upgrade the HDD - even if it works out a little more expensive.

why dont sony just make all the ps3,s backwards compatible so that way people have a choice what to play. instead of making it where people are limited of what to play or is it the words money money money to sony.