Is there any estimte as to when this is going to come out?

Here is a article that discusses that its in development:

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080207-ibm-shrinks-cell-to-45nm-cheaper-ps3s-will-follow.html

Sony would be smart to keep the price high,even with the cheaper 45nm.

isnt this already out in the 40gb??? or was it 65nm?

40gb was 65nm

I'm curious how much this will lower the production cost; anyone have any data at all to give us a raw esitmate?

a lot, at least 20-30 per system most likely more. if they improve the rsx then it will most likely be around 60 or more. graphics chips are ridiculous.

40% less energy by shrinking it that much, impressive. Of course that is if the cell used a lot of energy, I don't really know. But if they can now put in a smaller (cheaper) power source and a smaller (cheaper) fan they can introduce a slim here soon with a lower price tag.

all 40GB units have CELL = 65nm and RSX = 90nm, but later this year PS3 will come out with both CELL and RSX at 65nm