[quote name='jkam']
Keep telling yourself that Sony builds quality products. It has contributed to the number without a doubt. People have also traded in there older generation consoles for newer ones. How many console revisions does the PS2 have exactly??? The launch PS2 would overheat while playing DVD's because it wouldn't stop spinning the discs. There are articles upon articles and forums that back this up.[/quote]
I use a number of Sony products on a regular basis, but will readily admit that their level of quality control has fallen over the years. Seeing as the bulk of the PS2s are now manufactured in mainland China, I don't expect the same level of durability as my unit, which was produced in Japan (which I've owned since launch and works without a hitch, logging 5-10 hours of playing time, on average, per week).
People who trade in their older PS2s for the slimmer models do so for a number of reasons; to assume that the predominant reason is the replacement of a defective unit would be an erroneous presumption on your part. Some do it purely for aesthetic reasons, i.e. simply want a slimmer model because a) it looks better, and/or b) saves space. I personally know two people who replaced their PS2s strictly for cosmetic reasons.
Console revisions are pursued for a variety of reasons. In Sony's case, most of the design revisions undertaken were done for cost-saving measures, i.e. to lower production costs. By doing so, Sony ensures profitability, even when the PS2 receives a price drop. Microsoft may have turned a profit in the last quarter, but they will never break even on console production costs. Microsoft's entertainment division has lost hundreds of millions of dollars since the Xbox's release, but they will persist in bleeding red to claim their stake of the gaming console pie. Check any of their financial statements for the past two fiscal years - their gaming division is the only one to not turn a profit in the entire company.
As for the DVD issue, I have yet to experience it. Then again, I haven't used my PS2 for playing DVDs in over a year, as I have two standalone DVD players, as well as a DVD-ROM drive.
[quote name='jkam']
I am not at all saying that the Playstation and PS2 haven't done well. But look at it this way... Ask any gamer what the worst system is this generation for reliability and they will say the PS2. If everyone says that...there must be a reason. Yes there are cases that go both ways as some people still have their launch PS2's but this still doesn't make up for the other PSP issues...not replacing dead pixel machines, square button, so on and so forth. I would much rather give Nintendo $250 because I know if I have a problem they will FIX it.[/quote]
You've fallen on generalizations to lend credence to an otherwise weak argument. Fact is, if you don't take proper care of your equipment, regardless of whom the manufacturer is, the likelihood of imminent failure increases substantially. Considering the shape of the consoles and discs turned in by consumers for trade-in purposes, is it any wonder that the PS2's functional life is drastically reduced? I've read and witnessed my fair share of consoles in poor shape; this is why I would never buy a refurbished console, regardless of the company.
Also, lemons from the factory are a given. By industry standards, it's understood and accepted that roughly 2% of all goods originating from a factory are likely to be defective prior to shipping at retailers. Companies are always striving to improve their quality control, but it's a given that some of us are unfortunate enough to end up with a bad product, and it has nothing to do with the quality of care exercised.
BTW, the warranty on N. American PSPs have been extended to one year by Sony (can't remember what it was for Japanese PSPs; I think it's somewhere between 30-90 days). Generally, if something goes wrong with any piece of electronic equipment, it will crop up within the first 30 days of ownership. As for the number of returns due to the locked Square button, as a percentage of the units shipped, it's not bad by any measure. We're talking well under 1% of all units shipped. It's always an unfortunate situation if/when someone experiences a defect of any sort, but let's be realistic with our expectations. Another problem blown way out of proportion is the dead pixel issue. There are only a handful of companies throughout the world who manufacture and supply LCD screens; as stringent as the QC is, dead pixels are a fact of life during the production process, as the reason for their emergence cannot be properly traced. This problem could affect anyone who uses a product with a LCD screen, whether it's a PSP, Nintendo DS, cellular phone, notebook computers, televisions, etc. No one is immune from the problem; all you can do is cross your fingers and hope that you're one of the lucky few with a trouble-free unit.
ing OUCH. 
