3D card accel won't do that much good for final renders.

True. The renderer itself is software-driven and dependent on raw CPU power, much like Poser and most other 3D applications. The hardware support is there mainly to speed up the user interface and document windows. And to make the preview look nicer (antialiasing, less downsampling of textures, proper display of transparency, etc.).

At some point they will release this product to get revenue rolling in just like CL did.

Unlike CL (which is basically a one-product business despite other efforts like Avatar Lab), DAZ is already making money hand over fist through dozens of new products released each month. They don't need to release D|S early for revenue.