To all the people claiming that 2009 is too late for a slim Xbox 360, consider this. This is historically the peak year for a console's sales. Microsoft's box is experiencing significant year-over-year sales increases, has a mass of exclusives coming (including more JRPG's than the PS3), has an even better looking line-up than it had last year and is likely going to receive a price cut this year.
NEXT YEAR is when Microsoft's sales could/should start to slow. However, releasing a slimmer, reliable and above all cheaper console next year would ensure a substantial number of people continue picking the console up. Microsoft needs to show support for the console next year, in order to support games like Bioshock 2 and Mass Effect 2, not to mention Halo Chronicles and Alan Wake (which will likely be delayed).
It is likely the next installments of those games will be on Xbox 3, and Microsoft needs to ensure masses of people play those titles so that they are willing to upgrade to the Xbox 3 for the next installments. Microsoft will sell tonnes of consoles this year, its next year they need to worry about.
starcraft - Playing Games = FUN, Talking about Games = SERIOUS
