In alt.games.video.sony-playstation2 Brian Kvalheim [MSFT MVP] <bkvalheim@hotmail.com> wrote:

> > Why would you want your game console to be your network router?  That
> > makes no sense.

> That's just it, it's *not a game console*. It's a supercomputer according to 
> KK. I see no reason why a SUPER COMPUTER can't have a built in router.

I dunno.  When I think of a traditional super computer, I think of 
organizations that have a separate networking division, and the super 
computer is just one more client on the network - NOT a router or switch...

For one thing, it's not unusual to have ports go bad.  So you'd have to 
throw out the entire PS3 and buy a new one because port #3 went bad on 
it?  Yeah, I know Sony would love you to do this, but I'm asking if YOU 
would really be willing to spend that sort of money on something that 
doesn't even cost $100 by itself nowadays.

And, again, I ask what is the point of including gigabit ethernet on this 
thing when the majority of households with networks are either using 
802.11b (~10mbps if you're lucky), 802.11g (~50-100mbps) or plain old 
100mbps ethernet.

While gigabit has come down in price a lot, that still doesn't mean it's a 
good idea to stick it into every consumer device you can think of.  
Especially if you're worried about things like cost to build, or MSRP.

I know that "convergence" is still a sexy term to product developers, but 
come on now...  Shoving a firewall and virus scanner into a router - 
that's convergence that makes sense.

Shoving a router into a game console or media center?  Next thing you'll 
be telling me is that people really DO want a $10,000 refridgerator that 
has a touch-screen DVD player/web browser in the door.