Have price cuts finally come to Sony's (SNE) PS3?

Right now, Dell (DELL) is selling the PS3 for $340 with free shipping. It's not clear if the discount is coming from Sony or Dell's side, but there's no obligation to bundle the console with a TV or PC. (Sony execs told SAI last month the only price cuts planned for the PS3 were for game consoles bundled with Sony Bravia HDTVs.)

It's hard to say if this is a one-time offer or if Sony is feeling out a new price point for the console. But with December game console sales results expected later today (and with Microsoft's (MSFT) Xbox 360 expected to trounce the more-expensive PS3 in holiday sales), making the PS3 price cut permanent could put Sony back in the game.

We're on the phone with both Sony and Dell, we'll update as we hear more.

See Also:

Analyst: PS3 Price Drop To $300 Coming In April

Microsoft Exec: We're Shocked Sony Hasn't Cut PS3 Prices Yet

Sony To 'Slay Sacred Cows'...So Are PS3 Price Cuts Coming?

Sony's PS3 A Sinking Ship: Sales Plummet