Just like the original 60GB PS3 that was priced at $599 and included PS2 hardware directly on the motherboard, should Sony look into making a SKU for their next gen system with a similar feature?

If we look at the logistics, it seems like the main issues that Sony could face are size, power usage, and the all-important price. But wouldn’t you like the choice to retire your old console and replace it with an “all-in-one” device? The PS4′s chipset is likely to be similar to PC’s rather than using the CELL architecture, which means that there is almost no chance of backward compatibility unless it is software emulated, which again seems to be nearly impossible at the moment.

Currently PS3 bundles are averaging around $300, but take away the manufacturing costs for all the other components as well as the hard drive and games then surely the parts required for it to work should only cost around $50=100 or even less. Although, it is understandable that Sony would not want to have a very expensive machine for sale as they did with the PlayStation 3 when it launched, and have to make sure the standard model is satisfactory.

Rumors are indicating that the PS4 should and may retail at $399, but imagine a SKU with a built in PS3 for $499. As a further incentive is that Sony could market it as a limited edition and in our opinion it would sell out immediately. Of course, everyone is assuming that backwards compatibility will be built into the PlayStation 4 through Gaikai, but do we really want to pay for games we already own on disc? That’s why we’re hoping Sony do a PS4 SKU with a CELL Broadband chip on the board, but it’s looking increasingly unlikely.