gdgt

I bought my 80gb with software backwards compatibility used in fall 2008 and have had no issues. Sometimes my fan is loud but that's it. I know quite a few ppl who have had issue with launch PS3's or ones like mine but after poking them for info they usually leave the system on for long amounts of time (i.e. having a game paused for days instead of just shutting down). Ask your coworker if that is something they regularly do.

PS I have heard that attaching fans to the PS3 only causes problems, so that could be the source if they have an external fan.