Are there any benefits to shorter lifespans for consoles?

[KBG29]

xl-klaudkil said:
Noo its not i means you maybe bought a system for 300 - 400 euro's hoping you wont need to buy one in the next 5 - 7 years and than after not even gaining that much of a support only a handfull of goodgames you need to buy the " new " console in 3 - 4 years its stupid!

I agree with this, but I also see a huge benifit in doing more of a mid cycle refreash similar to what vivster is talking about. With a mid cycle refreash where they just add more of the same CPU and GPU cores, and increase the RAM, it would not effect development at all. All devs would have to do is build the game for the OG model and ramp up the res/fps and effects for the mid cycle model. This would allow players that bought the OG console and are content to continue enjoying all new games, and also let new buyers get a better experience. Another benefit is if your old console dies, then the newer model will play all of your games better. 

In this scenario a console can easily be on the market for 8 - 10 year before needing a full replacement. That would mean the next version would be a major improvement over the last, and it would mean a massive library for the generation. Honestly a mid cycle refreash is a win, win, win for gamers, developers, and publishers.