PS3 Slim

[Slothy]

I wonder if the bluray disc will ever be developed into a mini version like the standard cd was? that would make the disc drive even smaller, then we'd end up with a PS2 Slim-sized PS3 model.

I won't say we'll never see mini-Blu Ray discs, but I doubt we'll ever see a PS3 using smaller discs. Then you pretty much cut out the used market for the newer model that can't take the larger discs.

The other concern i have about shrinking console sizes/chipset sizes is over-heating. I dont tend to like smaller stuff being crammed into smaller spaces, it has to work at the same rate, but it's a lot smaller - logically this would generate more heat. Or is this assumption wrong?

The assumption seems logical but it is wrong. A side benefit of shrinking the die size of the CPU and GPU (aside from saving on materials and waste) is that they actually use less power to do the same work. Since they use less power they generate less heat, and the power supply is also smaller and has a lower output, reducing the heat it creates as well. As a result, you can pack them into a smaller space and not have to worry too much about overheating so long as the case design allows for sufficient cooling.

The original PS3 design would range from 170-200 watts in power consumption when playing games, but by the time the last large model PS3 came out they were down to 90-120W. That's practically half, and the subsequent Cell shrink that came with the Slim model apparently reduced that even farther.