I don't understand why people believe that PS3 sales will improve with the introduction of a slim model (see http://vgchartz.com/forum/thread.php?id=41795 for examples specific to the Japanese market).

The only argument that I've seen to support this is that the PSP sales took off in Japan once the PSP-2000 was released.  This point applies to handheld units since size, weight and power usage are high on the consumers list.  FishyJoe also pointed out that handheld owners may purchase a second unit to replace their degraded unit.  I can also see how a new PSP would be considered a status symbol since it would be seen with the owner.  However, these attributes are all less important for a home console.

Obviously if additional features (i.e. B/C) or a price cut came with the slim version then it would be impossible to tell if the increased sales were due to these benefits or the slim console.

Can someone answer this question?

It will depend on its game library and price, but i don't see sony will concern on this.

Hah..Why in hell it woulnd't?It would bring more customers who dont like PS3 shape now.
It wouldn't harm sales, and well I could sell my Ps3 just to get Ps3 slim.

I think that people see the PS3 slim being a big deal, because the PS3 right now is buy console standards huge. Many have a belief that Japanese like small things thqt take up less space, and in a logical world a small PS3 sould be a more interesting offer in that market.

Another reason People are thinking the slim PS3 will help is because it should come at a lower cost to Sony, which in turn will cost less for us. Really a new slimmer PS3 would be like a relaunch of the system. If Sony was to lower PS3 50 in march, then announce a new slim PS3 world wide starting in september which would have another 50 dollar price cut, then I imagaine sales would rocket up. Just think of the new commercials, PS3 Now Slimmer, and starting at $299. Just thinking about that makes me want one.

After Japanese polls the main concerns of the japanese public about the PS3 were the price and size.

From a impulse buy point of view its way easier to rush and buy a way smaller box that the currently very big PS3 box

It would appeal to me if it were cheaper, slim, low-power, low-heat, and quiet. I want to slide my DVD player out and replace it with a Blu-ray player, but the PS3 is too big, hot, etc. for that purpose.

I agree the a slim model would help Sony since it would reduce shipping costs and potentially manufacturing costs (although they have already made a few revisions using the same form factor, so I don't see why they would hold off on a slim model).  The price cut is more likely given a cost savings to Sony, but not a guarantee.

Would you be interested enough in the slim model if there was no price cut to go along with it?

I guess my real question should have been "Would a slim PS3 at the same pricepoint help PS3 sales?"

Definetly, Japan Would love it along with FFXIII and $299. Heck i'll buy a slim aswell as my current PS3

That would make it alot more appealing.  The PS3 is a bit of a power hog; 130W for the latest models vs 45W for BR player.  I didn't think that the PS3 was that noisy, although that maybe just compared to a 360.  A standalone DVD player does not need a fan (unsure about current BR players).

Low-power, low-heat and quiet "should" be the same thing.  Since if the PS3 required less power it would generate less heat which "should" mean the fans can operate at a lower RPM.  However, all of this could and already is being done in the current form factor (not sure about the fan noise).  The original PS3 used between 180-200W power playing games and BR compared to 125-130W for the current revisions.

Agreed.

And some small aircraft produce less noise than the older 360s.