Some people at NEOGAF and other places made some valid points in either direction regarding this pic's authenticity.

-The small mobile piece of plastic where the SD card,CF reader and M.Stick pro were, it's been replaced with a [i]curved censored zone of its former self[/i].(Sony trying to make us forget about better past features left behind?…gross,but credible coming from Sony)

-Sony is in a past line of the console cycle, being in third place, where it may be cheaper to build a whole new console altogether than investing in R+D for a slimline.

-Despite the last point,a strong investment for a complete redesign means profitability in long term.Can Sony really afford to think "Long Term" in this war giving the actual score?

There are two valid points one against each other too

-The case,though unassembled,is an Oven by nature of design.
-There is a 45nm Cell in actual production,and smaller diodes and lens for bluray drives.Not only means cheaper,but means lower temperature and less watt usage-

Who knows?,Only Sony knows how much spare change they have left for I+D in second life frivolous products. I would dig a slim though…-Oh yes!,and more quality PSone games by the way please.(Sorry,had to be said)