Why Sony went the Neo route

[Zappykins]

se7en7thre3 said:
The reason is that the slim versions (which always come in more expensive than older model anyway) are very successful. So instead of just a paint job they figured, why not tweak what's under the hood and get better performance for the 2nd half of the generation/extending life of the product.

This. Much of the profits from the console sales come a few years into it when they do a 'slim' version.  The Xbox 360 had something like 6 revision before the E model came out in 2013. 

I don't think the article is right, a die shrink doesn't usually require the redesigning of the chip.  It just upgrading the manufacting system, which uses less silicon, produces less heat, etc.

I think Sony is going to Neo for marketing.  It's like how the 'it 50% more power' buzz (which isn't true) get spread. 

I don't 3rd parties will do much with Neo in the same way they didn't do much when 'Wii Motion Plus' came out.