Hi, can we stop saying that the base model will not support Hi-def? HDMI produces BETTER uncompressed video output at resolutions close to 1080i/p, however, component video (the cables you use to connect a 360 to a Hi-def TV) produces Hi-def video output up to 1080i/p just fine. Also, although around 25% of American households are slated to have HDTV sets by years end, only a small fraction of those HD owners have TVs that support 1080p. Most of us will be playing our PS3s at 720p or 1080i. The reason why HDMI is talked about is because it offeres content protection that the movie studios want. So, with the base model that lacks HDMI output, it is possible that when you watch a Blu-ray movie, that it will be artificially downgraded to 480p (DVD quality). Most people agree, though, that movie studios will not do this (at least not in the beginning) in order to gain an audience rather than to restrict one.

The PS3 base model will have Gigabit ethernet, but no Wifi. You can still go online with the base model. In fact it would be dumb to wirelessly stream content (especially HD quality demos/trailers) onto a PS3. It would lag like hell. Lack of Wifi is not a big deal.