Has anyone else succumbed to the allure of the pre-download via Battle.net?  I know a boxed copy would be cool, but since I'm not buying a Collector's Edition I don't care as much.

The only thing stopping me is that the Download copy won't unlock until 10am on the 27th, and I plan to be playing the campaign and online well before that time.  Perhaps 12:15am or earlier depending on how long it takes me to get home.

I can't be tempted, as I already pre-ordered hehehe.

I preordered the collector's edition on amazon seconds before it sold out there o_o
Before I did this, I downloaded the digital-only client and planned to download it.

My pre-order has the CD key sent to me so I can use the download from blizzard to install the game before the disc reaches my house.

I already pre-ordered two CE's, one for myself and one for my cousin, so it's all in-store for me.

I would go with the download version, but I've got a $20 amazon credit waiting to be used. With release day delivery I'll only be a couple hours behind the download crowd, and have a cool box to show for it.

I also have the CE preordered, so no download version for me.

My better solution: Get the game, and while it's installing make a sandwich. It's much easier to wait a few minutes longer to play than to stop halfway through because you're dying of hunger.

buying it since I'd like to have the box to admire

Pre-loading doesn't mean you have to buy a digital version...
 
Just pre-load it and put in your retail CD key when it launches.

" My pre-order has the CD key sent to me so I can use the download from blizzard to install the game before the disc reaches my house. "

Blizzard charge quite a lot for original StarCraft and Diablo II so if they are gonna charge way more than online retailers I'll just get it boxed.

i went with a hard copy. don't want to deal with the chance of the servers getting nailed with everyone trying to get it. plus im sure you can register your CD key on battle.net and still download it like all the other games.

 Retail.

what comes inside the standard edition box? Im debating whether download or retail and it matters what is actually coming in the box. Is it just a cd? 

" what comes inside the standard edition box? Im debating whether download or retail and it matters what is actually coming in the box. Is it just a cd?  "

I'm probably going to cancel my pre-order and get the download copy.

The main reason to own the game is multiplayer, so if you're interested in the game you probably have decent download speed so download. Unless you're a goober playing for the story. Playing an RTS for the story, the very idea just baffles the mind.

I don't have a choice as my dvd reader is dead to the world...so i tried DLing it. 
As far as I can reason, the blizzard download uses torrent tech to DL...which would explain why 7gb would take 189hrs to download. 
soooooooo I'm not playing SC2 any time soon.

I have the Diablo and Warcraft 3 Battle Chests, my shelf needs more big-ass Blizzard boxes to take up space. Good day, sir!

" @KaosAngel:  It wouldn't even be finished by launch at that rate. I'll leave it for now. I'm having enough problems trying to register city of heroes today with a completed download..let alone SC2 "

When I do purchase it, I'm going to use the online service.

It's not available in my area, so I'm going with the digital download. Already have all 7 gigs DL'd. Just gotta wait for the launch.

" The only thing stopping me is that the Download copy won't unlock until 10am on the 27th, and I plan to be playing the campaign and online well before that time.  Perhaps 12:15am or earlier depending on how long it takes me to get home. "