Kaz Hirai reassures European 40GB PS3 owners

Kaz Hirai, Sony Computer Entertainment’s CEO and president, recently reassured owners of a 40GB PS3 that they still have a “very powerful machine.” This was made In light of Sony Europe’s recent announcement of an 80GB PS3 that’ll replace the 40GB model in the region.

In light of Sony Europe’s recent announcement of an 80GB PS3 that’ll replace the 40GB model in the region, Sony Computer Entertainment’s CEO and president Kaz Hirai reassured those owners of the latter model that they’re still getting a “very powerful machine.”

Hirai noted that the SKU upgrade was proof of the PS3’s ability to evolve. At the same time, he didn’t discount the power of the 40GB model. Said Hirai,

The PS3 is a console that evolves and specifications will change over time. Ultimately, if the consumers require a higher capacity hard drive, the ability to do that is there.

40GB is obviously less than 80GB, but itÂ’s still a high number and a very powerful machine. We strive to evolve and offer the most compelling value we can at any point in time. If consumers require extra hard drive, they can just swap it out.

Hirai mentioned that they brought in the 80GB at E3 to ensure that Sony continued offering a valuable product to consumers “in the true fashion of PlayStation.” If Hirai’s earlier analogy of this generation’s console war being a marathon holds true, then this SKU upgrade might be indicative of the strategy Sony has to keep ahead of the competition.

• E3 2008: Sony Europe confirms 80GB PlayStation 3 and Platinum games line
• Hirai: console war is a marathon, not a sprint

Via MCV