Once the flagship model of the PlayStation 3 hardware product lineup, Sony Computer Entertainment America made the decision at E3 to replace the 60GB PS3 with a new 80GB edition. Their strategy was to announce a $100 USD price cut for 60GB PS3 consoles in an effort to sell through the remaining stock, leaving the 80GB PS3 to occupy the $599 USD price point.

SCEA reassured that 60GB PS3 stocks would still be plentiful in the retail channel to assuage negative opinions surrounding their "temporary" $499 USD price point. It seems the console giant is finally running out of supplies of their old faithful on the supply side, however. Thanks to increased sales as a result of the price cut, SCEA's communications officer Dave Karraker confirms their remaining 60GB PS3 stocks at SCEA warehouses have all been shipped off to retailers for sales. What retailers and consumers alike see in the channel at this point will be what's left on the North American side, apparently.

"We no longer have any inventory in SCEA warehouses. All inventory has been purchased and shipped to retailers," Karraker said.
"We don't have visibility as to if that is on their store shelves or in their warehouses at this time. However, based on inventory reports from our retailers, there is ample supply still left in the channel."

Wolfwood via pcworld.com »