@ Hephaestos
1) Winning the HD format war, having to built a HD DVD based PS3 later on would have been bad for Sony. (Blu-Ray movie royalties, Blu-Ray technology royalties, long term technical advantages like more data per layer, scratch resistance is very beneficial to a console, better streaming technology, etc)
2) The Cell processor is radically different, its approach requires efficient game engine design. Launching years later wouldn't have pushed developers to adapt and a similar problem will be introduced 2 years later, while now developers are really starting to tap its potential. Mass production of the Cell chip now, allows for quick production cost reductions, etc.
3) HDTV sales are pushed by availability of high definition content. The PS3 is the best consumer electronics product to push HDTV sales, Blu-Ray movies and the technically most impressive high definiion games. The PS3 pushes the market and Sony as a company forward towards where they want to be in the future.
The PS3 is selling well. Just because the Nintendo Wii is a runaway success doesn't mean Sony shouldn't stick to their own roadmap for the future. I am sure they would have preferred the PS2 to sell like the Wii at this point rather than the PS3. The PS3 just has to compete well enough with the 360, giving that platform a 3 year headstart wouldn't have been a good idea, releasing a PS2.5 wouldn't have been a smart move neither looking at the long term aims for the company.
The PS3 has overtaken the 360 in Europe despite a 1 year and 5 months headstart. The PS3 dwarfs the 360's install base for Japan and lasty the PS3 is selling better in 360 strongholds like the UK, Australia and South Korea and is going head to head with the 360 battling for the US.
