The 40Gb PS3 has landed

As we reported a number of days ago – the Sony PlayStation 3 40Gb version can be kept in the quiet no longer.

Sony will not only release the new 40Gb system at a price under £300 in the UK but is set to slash the price of the 60Gb premium version by around £75. The new machine is expected to be launched on mid October 2007.

The new 40Gb version will have the same capabilities as the 60Gb Premium version (albeit with a smaller hard drive). The new system will only have 2 USB slots compared with 4 on the Premium version, and the memory card bay (SD Card, MMC cards etc) will also be absent.

The price for the unit will be £299.

Meanwhile the 60Gb version will reduce from it’s launch RRP of £424.99 to a tastier looking £349.99.

The memory card expansion slots will be available to purchase as an accessory and already we have seen DIY 160Gb 2.5″ SATA hard drives which you can install in to your PS3 for as little as £52.

Ray Maguire, MD of Sony Computer Entertainment UK said “As we approach our very first PlayStation Christmas, it is satisfying to be able to offer UK consumers the choice of two PlayStation 3 packages both now representing remarkable value.”

Sony will only have limited quantities of the 40Gb version available prior to Christmas but the big decision now will be whether consumers will now decide to pay the extra £50 for the Premium version.

We are monitoring UK retailers deals on both the 40Gb system and the 60Gb Premium system to ensure you get the best deal you can if you’re purchasing your PS3 this Christmas.