I think it was more just to redesign the console because of RRoD.  A lot of people didn't know the jasper was so different than the first gen 360's. Now people can clearly see the difference so it won't be as much of an issue? Or else they just thought it's a good way to market it.

Comparing new and old 360 while standing vertically, yes its vertically slimmer.

LOL 

Good one, let's spread it and hope that it sticks!!!   

Obviously we'll give you credit for it. 

I think I am going to get one of them despite recently purchasing a 250GB hd upgrade for my 360.   I will miss my Gears 2 faceplate/skin setup.  but oh well.  I just gotta find someone to purchase mine now

old: 12 x 3 x 10 in (310 x 80 x 260 mm)

new: 10.6 x 2.95 x 10.39 in (270 x 75 x 264 mm)

The ratio between the two shorter sides and the longer grew: it's definitely not Slim, it's Stocky!   

If we want to give a picture, it's smaller, yes, but more a Danny DeVito than a Kylie Minogue.   

I got to hold one today since someone at work bought one and brought it in.  It is definately smaller, though as many 360's as we have floating around here, I don't think someone actually thought to put the two next to each other...

Whatever the case, after seeing one in person I like it a lot more now.

hahaha that's funny. I thought it was slim too, but I guess its just a re-design, not slimmer at all.

Jokes apart, after all the cooling problems it had in the past, redesigning it but avoiding risks was a sensible move by MS. This won't stop us from mocking it, but let's be fair!

I like the aggressive car radiator-like grille on one side, but although it's quite nice, it isn't a masterpiece (but IMHO, this gen no console is as beautiful as PS2).

Anandtech has a power consumption review. looking pretty good.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/3774/welcome-to-valhalla-inside-the-new-250gb-xbox-360-slim/3