Next Xbox - No Disc Drive?

[Kriven]

And what happens if your hardrive gets hit by a virus or loses its memory?

This is where the XBL service is superior to WiiWare. Unlike Nintendo, which registers the software license to your specific console, the Microsoft service register that license with your personal user account, so as long as you can access that account, you can redownload any software you've purchased without having to fork over more money.