They have stated that they removed the BC so that they could use those $ to concentrate on PS3 specific tech...this wouldn't be true if they were going to continue to support it in a higher priced SKU. The marginal cost of keeping it in the lower SKU then would only be the GS chip ($27). Here is SONY's statement from their own site.
Relevant statement: In the UK and Ireland, a Value Pack consisting of a 60GB PS3 with extensive backwards compatibility and two first party titles will be on sale at a price of €499 (£349). Remaining on sale while stocks last, the 60GB model represents outstanding value for the keen gamer wishing to upgrade to the High Definition capabilities of PS3. Once stocks are exhausted the new 40GB model will be the only one available in the SCEE territories.
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They have stated that they removed the BC so that they could use those $ to concentrate on PS3 specific tech...this wouldn't be true if they were going to continue to support it in a higher priced SKU. The marginal cost of keeping it in the lower SKU then would only be the GS chip ($27).
Here is SONY's statement from their own site.
Relevant statement: In the UK and Ireland, a Value Pack consisting of a 60GB PS3 with extensive backwards compatibility and two first party titles will be on sale at a price of €499 (£349). Remaining on sale while stocks last, the 60GB model represents outstanding value for the keen gamer wishing to upgrade to the High Definition capabilities of PS3. Once stocks are exhausted the new 40GB model will be the only one available in the SCEE territories.