I don't know about you guys, but i am really getting sick of console designs.

On top of them changing HDD, backwards compatability, HDMI outputs etc. With 360 and PS3, they now plan on making a slim version? It's pretty much a slap in the face to the people who bought the original only to find out that there is a "new and improved" version coming out soon. PS2 did the same thing, Ps3 is bound to do it.

Handheld redesigns are ok as long as there is no more than 1, and a lot of times it provides no significant advantage (Gameboy Advance SP, Gameboy Advance Micro). The exception being the DS Lite which improved the "prototype" DS by huge amounts making it look like a real handheld and not an unfinished one (that was my impression of the old DS). I think the PSP redesign (and soon to be another redesign) wasn't really that huge of an upgrade. It almost discourages people from buying the system when it first ocmes out, why buy it now when you could wait 2 years for all the games to come out and the superior model?

You must really, really hate owning a PC then. Upgrades change even quicker there :-p

Why is it such a bad thing that a company would want to tweak and improve the core design of a system? If Microsoft didn't, we'd still be getting one of the most failure-prone consoles in the history of the industry.

Again, many electronic products due that due to Moores law allowing for a better, smaller, cheaper product. Nearly every single product on the market is that way - PCs, cell phones, cameras, camcorders, even TVs are now that way. Do you get PO'ed when you buy a cell phone, only to have a new one that has 100 more features come out for the same price 2 years later? What about a camera? My first digital camera was around 1.6 megapixels. Disposable digital cameras are near that kind of preformance in today's market!

Devices evolve. Early adopters have always got screwed in one way or another - that's the cost of getting to use the new functionality of the device first. That's why people are still buying Playstation 2's today. They are getting more for their money than a PS2 owner did in 2000/2001, as the console is better, and has more functionality via a larger game library.

And why is it OK for major redesigns in handhelds, and not slim models of consoles? You need to remember: these devices are YEARS old already. The X360 is nearing the 3 year mark. PCs have passed all next-gen consoles up, as the power specifications have been locked away to what once was considered "awesome". There's no way you can get more power out of any said device. So the only way to improve it is to offer a smaller, more reliable, feature-laden package. What once was a $400 Xbox 360 could be a shaved down, 60GB model for $250. That's not a bad thing, that's a very, very good thing. If you don't want to get "screwed" on revisions, then don't by anything with an transistor in it, because Moore's Law has been in effect for 40 years now, and will continue for some time.

I call bullshit on this. MS would not make or confirm news like this outside the U.S.

Another MS rumour that seems too good to be true and always is true(ie. price cut).

man, if it were real, I couldn't imagine the overheating issues that one would have. Units would probably scarecly work.

I agree. I've read/seen PS2 slims overheat. I would hate to forsee the future of "slim" 360's overheating. However, if MS was able to get a reliable "slim" console on the market I would probably have to buy one down the road if the black color were the option because I already just bought a elite... and also, where would the HD go?

You might be right about one thing. It's too early to get into the specifics of this probably fake news. However, if it is true, you guys can skip talking about it, and just go read my last post, lol. I tried to cover everything(and that's not a double negative before you point it out).

So yes, in theory, if a company did do something like that, it would be a powerplay for userbase. The 360 would benefit particularly, because it would do very well to remove the RRoD stigma related to the console, and a slim reworked version would do that, as well as give advertising buzz for its relatively new low price, upcoming games, and the redesign itself, imo.

I don't think this is "true" in the sense that is was announce, but I do think it is probable and should be looked at as a strong possibility. As for the HDD... didn't sony originally have a snap on for it's Hdd before the internal slot was developed(or maybe that was a dev kit I saw)? But I think you could have some kind of small plastic snap on that acts as a docking station for the Hdd and then snaps on the side or is left tucked away.

thekitchensink said: A slimline model could really help them keep a sustained boost in Japan--with their limited space, they love them some smaller stuff With regard to the hard drive: I predict that they either A) have it come with a cable that plugs into the HDD, or B) Reduce the length and width of the system but not the height.

 ok i had to point this out....wouldnt reducing the length and width of the system effect its height?!

OT: its possible but im not quite sure they will, so i want to hear it straight from microsoft!

I think he means like # dimensional like L x W x H.

so change L x W but don't change H.