A new SKU which upgraded processors/drive speed/drive space for either of the two consoles that would be backward compatible allowing them to play ps360 games but with almost no load times and more drive space.

The PS360 would be forward compatible with the ps3.540 (ps3.5/xbox540), except they would just be the normal consoles we have now that include load times etc etc.

However, game manufacturers would be required to use the ps360 as the standard so that new games didn't go beyond the capabilites of the ps360.

Of course this would probably ensure that the price would be the same as the old new-release prices of the ps360:
600/500$.

Now, here is the kicker.
PS3.540 would be forward compatible with the ps420 (ps4/xbox720 heh) (also, please do not make any jokes about me being the one who is high, because I thought of that joke first.... at least in this thread)

Except, that the ps3.540 would have about the same capabilities of the ps360 in regards to the next gen. Here is a graph to explain:

To lighten any confusion, release of a ps3.540 would be marketed as more of a Rolls Royce model with a 15 year life span!! or maybe something like that :P

Further clarification analogy: (the idea extends beyond loading times, but this is a good measure)

ps360 has load times

ps3.5 would not have load times for ps360 games

ps420 would not have load time for ps420 games

ps3.5 would have load times for ps420 games

Well this is a very different generation than we have seen before...
In addition to the fact that this gens consoles have been more like pcs than ever before.
Could something like this either:
a) seal sonys coffin?
b) keep sony alive another gen?

This would confuse people more than the current set-up of multiple SKUs.

I went back to console gaming because I didn't like the mess that was PC gaming. If consoles go to it, someone will make a console that is different and get all the sales.

Mike from Morgantown

Yeah but that is the beauty of the 3.540, you don't really have to release it as a different console, just an "rolls royce" model.

Would anyone buy one of these at 600$ if it guaranteed no load times and half a terrabyte of space, and would be able to play next-next gen games?

Umm, i said that the ps3.540 would be capable of playing ps420 games.
PS3 games would stay the same, but in the way a ps3 would be comparable to a ps3.5 in terms of capability, the ps3.5 would be comparable to the ps4 in terms of capability.

you should frame your comment for future use :P I drew a graph and everything.

Why do you think that ps3.540 would only be as capable as ps360? Ps3.540 would be much more "Capable" when it was released, just not being used to maximum capability. This extra power would be what allows it to play ps420 games.

 Rol being defensive ftw.

I think it's a bad scenario to be honest. It would cost too much money and by time it came out, it wouldn't make them enough...not to mention, if it had 50% of the power of the true next gen consoles, it couldn't handle the games like you're saying. It would only be able to handle the shitty games, like madden or any other sports game, or any low-budget games.

I've always thought that for things like ram and HDD, they should allow you to upgrade...and right now, you can upgrade HDD. Why shouldn't I be able to buy another stick of RAM for my PS3? It would help the console perform better, and games would not be built to the upgraded specifications, so it wouldn't be necessary - if I wanted it, it would be on me..no perks aside from performance - and I'd still buy it.

That's just me tho.

No I said that the ps3.540 would be as capable of playing ps430 games as ps360 is of playing ps360 games.
This is the analogy, it extends beyond load times.

ps360 has load times

ps3.5 would not have load times for ps360 games

ps420 would not have load time for ps420 games

ps3.5 would have load times for ps420 games

it would also work this way it terms of slowdowns, mandatory installs, memory capabilities, wattage use, soon and so forth.

Sounds like a PC. I already have two of those...