They've said they're streamlining it and speeding it up, relative to 3e/3.5e, so at least it will be some improvement.
If character creation takes less than 30 minutes and I can run a reasonable-sized melee in the same amount of time, then I'll be prepared to consider risking a few quid on a second-hand PHB, if the book's sturdily-constructed and the art doesn't suck too badly. (I'm a tolerant man, so I'll be prepared to overlook one or two of those repulsive BDSM-style piercings in the art, and maybe even one instance of dungeonpunk.) I'll make sure not to get the first printing, though, because I want them to have plenty of time to fix the inevitable errors and typos.
If the PHB doesn't suck, then I'll consider the next two core books when I can get them at a price that isn't completely atrocious (which at current prices, definitely means second hand).
I will not purchase a subscription to a website under any circumstances, nor will I try to run a game with a laptop at the table. Paper, pencils, funny-shaped dice and miniatures are the only play aids I'm prepared to consider.