This is a question I asked in another thread. But maybe someone not watching that thread could answer:

Why does everyone assume that consoles need to be drastically redesigned (ie. given a slim version)? What precedence do we have for this?

... NES, PS1, PS2 - All three were the market leader and all were developed so they could be sold at the end of (or even beyond) their generations. Right in the middle of a generation seems a strange time to spend the R&D on something like this. I understand die shrinking and some minor changes, but it seems to me that complete redesigns are not as important as developement of the next generation.

(Did I miss any examples?)

it cuts down on the cost and make the product more attractive (smaller = better) in teclology anyways :P

Because gamers like their consoles like they like their women?

Har har?



(I have no idea why, I always found the slim things to be worthless. Give me something like BC!)

Thanks, that made my day :D

Less cost for making the console, and more consoles per shipment.

Also, it boosts sales.

 ooooo i dint even think of that! good one!

But all of those advantages would need to offset the cost of developement. That is why I think only leaders have done it in the past. It seems too risky to risk research dollars on a generation in which you are not stomping the competition when you could spend them for next time.

1. They look cooler (just look at the slim PS2, way cooler)

2. They're lighter because they're smaller and less parts inside. The PS3 is like 13 pounds or something. If they could cut that in half it would be normal size.

There are many benefits to shrinking, but you have to do a case study to see if it is worth it.

costs:
R&D
Retooling the assembly lines

savings:
shipping
boxing/case/component costs
warehouse space

It also gets more consumer interest.

If the savings outweigh the costs in any reasonable amount of production units and you have enough stock produced to hold you over on a retooling of the assembly lines, then it makes sense to do it. The end of the generation makes more sense to make this move, as you probably have good stock left over of the old model as sales are starting to decrease and the assembly lines haven't been shut off yet.

Since the PS3 and X360 are larger and heavier than previous generations, it makes sense that the potential savings are higher, but I don't think it is enough to warrant slim model so soon. However, gamers just like to speculate and want a small console anyways.

Small and Asian?