In preparation for the launch of a new, slimmer PlayStation 2 model (SCPH-70000), Sony had stopped making the older PS2 model (SCPH-5000x) sometime during the summer of 2004 to let the distribution channel empty out stock of the units.
After an apparent manufacturing issue caused some initial slowdown in producing the new unit, Sony reportedly underestimated demand, caused in part by shortages between the time the old units were cleared out and the new units were ready.
It is widely believed that Sony has abandoned support for the hard drive.
The machine's future continues to be uncertain, with North American and European launches considered to be distant if at all.
Although external USB 2.0 enclosures are affordable the lack of internal hard disk has implicated a problem for users with perhaps little knowledge of the software required to enable the external disk functionality.
Sony has also made a PVR/DVD burning consumer device that plays PlayStation 2 games called the PSX.
With a price of $299.99 per console, Sony made gross sales of roughly $153,000,000.
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