Playstation 3 Production Costs Set To Fall - PS3

In a recent report on industry site Digitimes, a report states that production of the Blue Laser Pickup Heads used in the Playstation 3, is set to increase in supply, and therefore decrease in price. Sony Shiroishi Semiconductor (owned by Sony), manufacturers of the blue-violet diodes, have announced they will be able to increase production to 1.7 million diodes a month.

They speculate this may allow a $100USD drop in the production cost for Sony's Playstation 3 -- currently produced at an estimated cost of $840.35USD. It sells overseas for $599USD

This compares to an estimated production cost of $323.30USD (selling at a RRP of $399USD) for the latest Xbox 360 Elite console.

Sliced Comments: While it may be a good while before there is any drop in the console (Sony would still be losing $141USD or $172AUD, even with a $100 drop in production cost), it does illustrate a positive downward trend - which may well be passed onto the consumer in 12-18 months.