| Icyedge said:
I understand your point but it should not be called inherent fault if its due to misuse from the user. I also agree with you that normally you can enclose those type of equipment, and probably a lot of people would enclose it because of their current set-up. But still, reading the instruction manual is important and people should find a way to respect the precaution in it if they dont want problems. |
I think the concept is called "expected product use". Here are a few humorous examples of products that require "special" and unexpected handling like the PS3 and 360:
http://www.goodexperience.com/tib/archives/2007/05/toastmaster_pro.html
http://www.goodexperience.com/tib/archives/2006/10/dryer_rack.html
EDIT: Look up "contradicted affordances"... that's the concept of designing a product in such a way as to make it unusable in ways expected from previous products. In this instance, consumers expect to be able to place audio/video equipment in cabinets made to contain audio/video equipment. Sony, and to a lesser degree MS, are advertizing their current generation of consoles as being part of the audio/video equipment to be used in a living room. Unfortunately, they more closely resemble computers in their thermal operating characteristics, making them unsuitable for use in audio/video cabinets. But remember, consumers should have to assume that their brand new game console can't be used like the game console they bought last time. Right? They should probably read all EULAs before using any new and/or upgraded software, too. 
