I hope they don't lower the build quality. The current trend of really durable PS3's (or so it seems) may be at stake.

Maybe they will sell dumbed down versions without wifi, bluetooth (wired controllers), memory card readers etc.

AFAIK, Hon Hai's trade name here in the west is Foxconn and they make some very nice and high quality build stuff indeed. Not only does Dell use them extensively for manufacturing (most everything in a Dell desktop system is made by Foxconn - case, including moulded plastic parts for bezel and drive bay covers etc, motherboards, even down to the connectors soldered onto the motherboard itself).

Don't they also build Nintendo systems; DS or Wii? I've never heard anyone complain aobut Nintendo's build quality; that really is top-notch.

Peace.

Ah, this must be where we invoke Vysez First Law of Technology Rumour Monging --if it's in chinese on the internet, it must be true.

They are the mass manufacturer of PS2 for years too before anything else, if it suggests anything :smile:

Grain of salt, but....the FCC at the beginning of september received an application for testing of a new PS3 model number: CECHG01.Now, it could just be nothing, a small change without changing features or functions (or prices), but there's a couple of interesting things to chew on.1) Sony has requested a number of aspects of the application to be kept confidential in order to "to avoid premature release of sensitive information prior to marketing or release of the product to the public". The request is for that stuff to remain confidential for 45 days from Sept 5. The application for the launch models came with a similar request, but not the application for the 80GB SKU. The 'stuff' includes internal and external photos.2) The tests for all previous models of the PS3 were conducted with 4 USB devices attached..which might make sense if you want to test power under load etc. For some reason, this new model number is tested with just 2 USB devices attached.There's no other details I can glean from it yet. Unfortunately this application doesn't (yet) have a nice cover letter outlining the differences between this and the original model, as with the 80GB filing. The test report does mention that the differences are outlined under "point of difference", but that seems to be, as yet, in another unpublished document.So...like I say..grain of salt. But food for thought, perhaps.edit- a third difference, as spotted by mmmkay on neogaf - the label of the new model number shows 120V~3A compared to 120V~3.2A for the 80GB and launch models..slightly lower power consumption?

Sometime I have the feeling the best detectives out there are not investigating murders and terrorism, they are on GAF speculating about PS3 price drops..

If it's a design and material issue, it may not matter who assembles it.

Hon Hai is a world class outfit. Besides their scale, they also enforce very strict hiring and working policies in the lines.

The XB360 issues are from a crucial design flaw, not really a manufacturing issue. The PS3 in comparison is pretty well designed and should not be inversely affected if outsourced.

Lower power means smaller chips?

Plus, if you bring a 120V unit to a 220V country, the PS3 will still work fine (as ALL PS3 units have universal power supply @ 100V-240V 50/60hz)

:grin:

Terrorists could be building roadside bombs with PS3s, setting them off with the Sixaxis controller.