| Gehirnkrampf said: I really can't understand why people want a cheap console. Do you want to buy a new one in 5 years? |
Consumers don't want a cheap console; they expect a lot for their money. The mass consumer (not the core demographic that's always first in line to buy new hardware/games) generally isn't willing to pay that much for it. $299 is the likely current sweet spot for mass adoption.
Personally, I don't think I'll ever pay $600 or more for another console again, regardless of what it offers as it would primarily be a gaming machine and portal to whatever online services/shops that were within its walled garden.
I bought 2 PS3s; one at $599 in Jan 2007, which died in 2009 and was refurbed (died again in 2012). The other in late 2008 for $399 (died in 2010).
Never had to experience the aggravation of multiple RRoD Xboxes. Same summer 2007 model still runs today. If it had been my primary console, I would have likely bought more than one.
As it's been pointed out, any heavily used console (Xbox was not heavily used, which is probably why it still runs today) will be more likely than not to see repeat purchases within the same hardware generation, either replacments or "upgrades" to newer models.
If you're still playing regularly on a given platform in 5 years, odds are you will have bought more than one of the same console anyway.
The real cost in a new console is not limited to the box and initial purchase itself, but the related peripherals and costs of starting up with a new hardware platform.
