I currently only have a PS2.  I am going to buy a PS3 (too busy right now with CSE 120 (Operating Systems) and CSE 167 (Computer Graphics)), but I heard that the 45nm version is going to come out around June/July.  Is that true?

Probably won't be out in stores that soon, but should be out sometime in the second half of the year. My guess is September, but it's just a guess.

Wait for E3. Also it might be quiet launch without changing SKU.

E3 will have more news on it, and its possible that a pricecut/slim will follow shortly after... so id wait if i was you

Thx. The price to me is alright since I already saved up the money. The thing is that I don't want a PS3 right now, and they will announce a better one (less power more reliable) in a couple of months.

Definately wait. If it means a slim PS3 and/or a price drop its well worth waiting.

This might be the best advice I can give you.

my friend went through 2 ps3s because of disc reader failed to read games, i guess it just stop working. he's on his 3rd ps3 as we speak. so yea i think they should use a more reliable disc reader. not sure if 45nm would fix that.

^^^
I had two drive failures for the 40GB PS3. The first time, it was still under warranty so I returned it to Sony in exchange of a refurbished one (they don't do repairs here). The second time was after the warranty ended. They now want 55% of the price of a new PS3 in order to give me another refurbished one with a 1-month warranty :(

It is now collecting dust. Luckily, I have the MGS4 Gunmetal Gray special edition to feed my gaming needs. Let's pray this will live a longer life.

I thought the RSX chip was suppose to be 45 nm by now, maybe it is?

And the Cell is suppose to be shrunk to 45 nm in mid 2009, so maybe June or July.