So, I took the plunge and bought the 500GB AC III edition PS3.
Did the data transfer between last night and this morning.
FYI, you can't restore backup data to a different PS3. Only to the same PS3. So you have to use their data transfer interface.
Requires both systems be hooked up to different inputs/displays. Also, you have to use an ethernet cable connecting both systems.
Both systems must be updated to the most current official firmware.
You must deactivate game and video data on the old PS3 first.
Internet must be deactivated on both systems. Media servers must also be deactivated on both systems.
No optical media or USB memory devices inserted.
Must connect via ethernet cable. No wireless transfer allowed. I recommend cross-directional if you have it. I didn't, and the process took nearly twelve hours transferring from 320 non-OEM HDD to 500 GB OEM HDD. There were times I thought it'd locked up or stalled out.
Once transfer is complete, you must log into the your PSN account on the new PS3 to have access to your game saves and video saves.
You also have to go in on the new PS3 and activate game and video data.
The only real hiccup I experienced once I did the trial and error and solved all the minor issues that seemed to be tripping me up (not disabling internet, not deactivating, etc.), many of which Sony did NOT advise on their official page for the process, was that I couldn't activate video data on the new PS3. I kept getting a wierd error saying that video content was still active on the old PS3 even though I'd clicked disable on it several times. Had to call Sony and they dealt with it on server side. Now everything works.
Hope this information helps people that want to do this. It was a pain in the ass just because of the trial and error and the time it took, but it's done and everything seems to work fine.
One other note: I went to GS first to buy the PS3 so I could get the points on my Gamestop Rewards card. So the guys there checks the inventory on the compter and tells me 'we don't have any of that model' and that nobody else in the area has any according to their computer data. He said that it seemed screwy and maybe there was something wrong with their network, which I didn't believe, but he then added that you can order them from Gamestop.com.
I told them 'I will not order a console from an online resource. Games are one thing, systems are another.'
He said 'no worries' and he could call around to see if another GS in the area had them. I told them not to worry about it.
Went to a GS less than five minutes away. They told me they had them and I was pleased. Then she came back up a minute later and said 'um, that one's on layaway and we don't have any others but you can order them on Gamestop.com.'
Hmm.
I then asked if the AC III bundle was a GS exclusive and she said 'yes it is.'
I went over to Best Buy at that point to see if they had a 500 GB version that DIDN'T come with AC III, just so I could get they system and get the ball rolling.
Sure enough, they had about twenty of them.
Hmm.
My guess: Gamestop has put a hold on the systems and are rationing them out so they have stock to sell through Christmas because if they sell out of PS3s before Christmas, the press and word of mouth could be bad ('those assholes were all sold out of the limited AC III bundle! I ain't ever shopping there again, and I'll tell everyone I know!' type complaints) and customers will not have a carrot to chase. That's why they are telling people to order it online: that way, GS still gets the money if customers decides to do that.
I won't call it T-Dog levels of 'shady as fuck' but it's still irritating. I bet they have plenty of stock available. Probably had to stop selling them out of storefronts until first week of December or something.
