500 dollars is not expensive for a console that we will be using in 2023+...
Especially considering how much more consoles do now than they did in 2005.
We paid $400 in 2005 for what was primarily a gaming machine that could rip some music and play some game trailers. And most of us at the time thought we would be paying another 400 dollars for Xbox 3 in 2009-10.
Now in 2013 we call an entertainment box that has Movies, TV, Music, Game Media, The Web, Social Media, Blu Ray player, a robust Arcade Marketplace, with cutting edge full voice and motion control integrated, etc etc etc
in addition to the core function of gaming console,
and one that will last at least twice as long as previously expected,
expensive.....?
Common people.