Does anyone have information on how to decode the model number and/or serial number on the outside of the PS3 box? Any way to determine build date and revision level of one unit versus another w/o removing them from the box? This would be helpful information to have at the store, as I'd like to get the latest revision of h/w and f/w that they have in their inventory.

The firmware is irrelevant. It is a free download and is always compatable with every PS3. As for the hardware, there will not be any noticable difference because when sony makes a large upgrade, it will likely be called the PS4. I'm not saying that to be a jerk, but because then it would increase the difficulty on compatability for things which would make game programming much more difficult. Think of PC games, where they try to account for 'all' hardware configurations possible and then remember how often there are hardware conflicts.

PS2 had many hardware revisions, something like 10-15 of them. I think that's what he's referring to.

Yes beoba, you're correct. Revisions of the h/w for things like the 65nm processor instead of the 90nm version, quieter fan, etc.

I don't myself know, as I haven't bought a PS3. Anxiously awaiting the MGS release.

Maybe just go to the store and see if there's anything other than the stock UPC. I remember nintendo system boxes (n64/gc) having a hole/window on the side which let you see the serial number/barcode on the system itself.

Really, they've been changing SKUs so often lately that I'd be surprised if the revisions didn't follow the different SKUs