Sterns new boards will mean these current machines will be parted out way faster than any other machines in pinball history.
They are going the 'cheap' route of modern electronics - just like DVD players and TV sets.
I'm not blaming Stern for a minute because that's the way all electronics is these days and they think this is how they should do it to make money.
When your AC/DC needs a driver board in 3 years time it will be so expensive (or parts no longer available) you will part out the machine.
Here is just one example (note the price and the availablility):
#520-5300-00
CPU/Sound Board for late model Stern pinball machines with White Star system boards - $489.00 - Out Of Stock
Used in:
AUSTIN POWERS
ELVIS
GRAND PRIX
HIGH ROLLER CASINO
LORD OF THE RINGS
MONOPOLY
Stern PLAYBOY
NASCAR
RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT
ROLLER COASTER TYCOON
SIMPSONS PINBALL PARTY
SOPRANOS
TERMINATOR 3
There are a few companies making aftermarket pinball boards with surface mount technology - in every case I have seen, when these boards give trouble they go in the bin. I do my best to make my boards repairable and I beef up the tracks and pads around transistors, I change components when possible to use something that is easily available, off the shelf. I have the contacts in China (as do Stern) and could very easily have short runs of my boards made there using surface mount. I don't believe it is the way forward for a hobby.
Boards from modern Sterns also use proprietry components and so are next to impossible to re-make. Modern pinballs simply will not stand the test of time.
