I agree with the author here - can't see a new Wii or DS anytime soon. 360 perhaps, but even then I'd bet not. The 360 surely has a lot longer to go yet. With the PS3 just getting up to speed and the Wii flying high, could MS convince gamers to invest in yet another piece of new hardware? I don't think so myself.

If MS decide to release another Xbox by 2010, then I won't be buying. I got a PS2 in 2000, lasted me until 2007. I also bought an Xbox in 2003 which only lasted until 2006 when I got a 360. I've had 2 go wrong since I bought it. I've been waiting for an excuse to get a PS3 and this will be it. MS can't treat its customers like this all the time - it's bad enough in the PC world where they make you buy a new copy of office every couple of years, but this is an expensive piece of hardware. They should have thought it through originally and future-proofed it more. When I get my PS3 I don't want to buy a new console until around 6 - 7 years later - not 3 or 4. At this rate, come 2010, we'd have had 3 PlayStations spanning 16 years, but 3 Xboxes in 8!!!

wow, it took an analyst to work this out!
Nintendo have been on a 5-6 year machine release cycle for years, Nes 85/86 , Snes 90-91,N64 96/97, GC 2001/2002, Wii 2006. a Xmas 2010 release for the Next Xbox wouldn't be a major issue would it considering the 360 got a worldwide release in Xmas 2005.

And look at nintendo's handheld strategy, they release a new or made over model every 18 months, no one moans, they rush out and buy it.
1st iteration, nice, 2nd iteration - what the first SHOULD have been, 3rd, full optimised and minimised to gouge the hardcore.

Fact is, you don't have to buy new hardware and you don't HAVE to buy a new copy of office every 2 years, I'm still using 2000 (and open office in fact).

Right about the 360 hardware failures though, unacceptable especially when MS's peripherals and hardware are usually rock solid

I really don't see the 360 ending soon, this console has not even achieved his potential yet.

I think the game announcements for 360 made by MS in this year will tell us more about the future lifecycle of this machine. However, I personally dont see a new xbox in 2010 as being that unlikely, although it would have to be far superior to the PS3 to be competitive (the PS3 installed base will be much larger by then) - otherwise the 360 should stay on longer as it is already competitive.
If the technology is there then this could prove a punishing move to Sony's "future proof" PS3 - but it would have to be differentiated by more than just pretty graphics (or the pretty graphics would have to be mindblowing at least). It is a bit shortsighted to say you would not buy a new console by MS - noble statement, but to be on this website you are obviously a games lover, and if the console and gams were that good I am sure you would still buy it. Personally, I just hope the 360 continues to create the quality of game we saw in 2007, then there really shouldnt be a need for a new console. What games need now is more creativity/originality, not an improvement in graphical display. Computer AI is not as good as I expected it to be this generation however (aonly some games have shown good AI) - would love to see an overall improvement in this in the next generation.
If a new console is out in 2010, I just hope this doesnt mean the 360 is killed prematurely in 2009 as no new games are made in anticipation of the new console.