the next gen consoles video chips won't be much more advanced than a 6800 , just on a smaller process , so they can manufacture them real cheap .
Shader model 3.0 is all we have until DX 10 in 2006 and SM 4 ..... SM4 is supposed to be a 'unified shader architecture ' , so that everyones shaders will be the same thing , making it easier for developers to use next gen shading , and eliminating performance problems like the Geforce FX + HL2.
.
The Cell is overrated.... remember when they said the PS2 was a supercomputer, rivaling those used by the US military? A 1ghz pentium 3 will own it , and running WINDOWS too ...
The PS3 will probably use a low end model of the cell... , we'll see high end Cell chips in the more expensive macs for sure .