Youd think if they really wanted to cut costs they would offer one with replacable batteries, no wifi (only ethernet cable), a smallish hd (im thinking the current 160g is more than fair) and no games. It would be cheaper to manufacture and presumably would be able to be sold at a lower and still ratain there needed profit margins.
Personally ive been waiting to buy a ps3 for years now. I almost bought one a few months ago at the GS $50 off sale but heard a new version was in the works. Now that its here i just dont like it. It really didnt get better for the consumer but it is cheaper for sony to make. Who's to say they didnt cut corners on the circuitry either. The only reason for the pop door is its cheap to make and i doubt they redesigned the whole console to make just that single cost cutting measure and hope people would buy it for just the smaller form factor.
Id go out and get an old slim one now but if im not saving money im just going to wait. I only want the ps3 to play a few exclusive titles and I cant spend that much money only to play a few games.