[quote]In the report (Click [url=http://dw.com.com/redir?destUrl=http%3A%2F%2Frsch1.ml.com%2F9093%2F24013%2Fds%2F276873_0.PDF&siteId=3&oId=2061-10797_3-6041208&ontId=10784&lop=nl.ex]here[/url] for PDF), the [Merrill Lynch] proposed the idea that high costs and Sony’s decision to use an “ambitious new processor architecture–the Cell” is making it look like the company might not be able to meet its goal of getting the PS3 out in the U.S. this year.

The report suggests the possibility that the PS 3 would launch this fall in Japan and in late 2006 or early 2007 in the U.S.[/quote]

Looks like someone thinks PS3 is a longer way off than we expected. It may also cost a lot more. If you look at the PDF linked in the article, they are also placing the cost at $900 per unit.

Now take this with a grain of salt. These are outside analysts making predictions based on what little information they have. The truth could be quite different. I certainly doubt that Sony is going to be charging so much for the consoles, espescially based on their rationale that ties the cost to the Blu-Ray drives and Cell processor. Although the first Blu-Ray players seem pretty pricey, so were the first DVD players, and that didn’t cause the PS2 to cost $500. The Cell processor may be pretty cheap when they produce enough quantities. However, it may take some extra time to ramp the brand new Blu-Ray technology, and the Cell chip is also new and fairly untested.

I wouldn’t be surprised by huge delays, but I’m not accepting anything until I see it. Like any other analyst predicition, use this one to temper your enthusiasm, but don’t take it as fact yet.

Source: [url=http://news.com.com/2061-10797_3-6041208.html?part=rss&tag=6041208&subj=news]Cnet[/url]