Why is this surprising or even seen in such a negative light? The PS2 had like a million releases in different colors and limited editions and stuff, who cares?
I never had a PS3, I'd get this one if I could afford a new console right now. Looks nice, doesn't hurt anyone, and if anything it's an indicative of another oncoming generation, not the opposite.
PS2 was different. It didn't have a real negative impact on any of it's consumers. PS3 is another story. Ever since it's released and the introduction of PSN, it has been bombarded with mixed reviews, ranging from specs, price, games, and so on...
Now, from the gaming perspective, this can be perceived as beneficial - not so much for existing owners but potential ones who have been on the fence or could not get a system until this time. Having not had a current-gen console myself (Wii doesn't count 
), I'd be getting this if I were in the PS3 market. (I still question the US$270 MSRP vs. the current model's $250 though, even with the pack-in game and voucher taken to account)
Late revisions are usually signs of a refresh impending, as they are generally cheaper to make (amid improving manufacturing processes) and can prolong a system's lifespan during the next generation (eg. PSOne, slimline PS2).
The irritating negativity arises more among current owners, who get almost nothing out of this. The tech industry perspective, however, is quite a bit darker, as it puts Sony's recent actions, business practices, etc. into account as its followers predict its outcome and future moves.
It's practically negative for existing owners such as myself who got hands on a slim 160GB PS3 late 2009. The norm that has been practiced by smart buyers/atleast patient ones like myself, is that for every new cycle that comes, if a new console has been released, we will wait 2 years prior to the original's release for a newer and sleeker design, but not really much if it's late, like 5 years has passed. Maybe those are the people who has really no money to buy such a system.
I would say about me agreeing with you about late remade consoles being cheaper, which I find impossible on Sony's perspective. Never, since the PS3's release, the changed of medium to Blu-Ray, and PSN's really restricted service, we ever found that cheap.
I don't really know if people like yourself will be looking forward to this just like you said. Affording something so expensive, when there are generally much cheaper ones that are working fine(namely the last slim). Usually price drops after 1-2 years...maybe even 3 if the price drops are generally low. Which is expected to be the next gen of gaming.
Sony is the most known company to do a lot of revisions. Just like PSP-Go. Suckish by a landslide. Usual, and last remakes are done on the second one, being the first was just a test for the consumers, and the second as the real edge. I myself bought a PS Vita, as annoying the PSN still is, it's quite innovative. I won't be negative if a newer and sleeker one comes out. Since it's generally the same thing as the last(as long as it's the last), like what they did to PSP, just make slim PSP, then Go(cause it sucked), then back to Slim(with no real changes to the last slim). The only really bad thing is that with each remake of a new console, it's consumers find it more negative by each turn they make, as they find the company being more and more indecisive .
