4.) I do think the current promotions (499 with 5 to 6 free movies) will sell systems. If you intend to use your PS3 for Blu-Ray, it's a solid deal.
Only reason I would get a PS3 at this point, good for blu-ray and pretty much it.
In all honesty, I was ready to buy a PS3 before it came out but I convinced myself to wait until the bugs' been worked out. I still want to get one eventually but I'll wait a little longer and see if Sony is going to try anything else before spending $600.