Maybe it's just me......
But I think the core will, and should stay.
There are always going to be people that don't feel like they want/need the HDD to start out with. Your always going to have the few people that are just wanting an X360 + 2 or 3 games. For that kind of solution, the core fits the bill.
IMO, the core still fits MS's strategy - get the X360 to $199 ASAP. If a family wants a X360 for their kids for Blue Dragon, or Screen it, or Viva Pinata/Animals, or anything else, the core is still their best bet. An HDMI-less core would offset the fact that the other components aren't much more expinsive (a prem costs MS maybe $40).
Now, I *would* advocate the core being dropped if MS dropped the premium pricing to $249....Which is certainly do-able later this year. Not like they have the brains to do it though.
Back from the dead, I'm afraid.
