$200 PS3 Coming to North America

[Strazdas]

Jeez, a lot of people really don't seem to understand how HDD space works...

Obviously the drive space here is tiny, but can nobody see a situation where it might be a good thing? People who already have external drives and don't want to spend extra on Sony's proprietary space? People who'd prefer to buy their own large-space HDD for cheaper than the extra cost of getting a larger space PS3? Improved loading and performance with an SSD?

Often HDD space is cheaper in bulk compared to the extra cost of buying a PS3 with a few hundred gigs out of the box.

Personally, I prefer this kind of bare-bones no frills product. It's obviously a bit of a niche product type, especially where the average person doesn't have external space lying around, or doesn't want to go through the effort of buying some. However, it's the type I prefer when given the option. It's why I bought the Wii U Basic instead of shelling out the 47 extra dollars for Nintendo Land and 3 extra dollars for the the tiny bit of additional space.

you can never have too much HDD space. never.
and 12 gb is a joke you would see as a phone memory card or USB stick, not a console hard drive. Yes SSD is faster, while it works. but by then PS4 will be the big thing probably. Its not like they expect this model to last. And those who already got external Hdds will keep them regardless of whats inside the model.
The price difference should be the price differentce between the two hard drives if that is the only difference between the models (its not). Otherwise its just scamming from sonys or retailers part really, and if you can prove it (good luck with that) illegal.
Not to mention that 12GB of SSD is more expensive than 200gb of HDD anyway. SSD is expensive as all new technologies are. nothing spectacular here.

The average person does not have external hdds, skills to install them or even knowledge that they can. this will only benefit very narrow part of the community. nothing wrong with ninche marketing mind you, but lets not pretend that this is a great offer to everyone.