Wow. Okay.

It's really not debatable though as it's already been debated to death.
And when I say the "most powerful console". - I mean all the components in conjunction with each other, sure you can pick and choose certain aspects to reinforce your argument.
The different memory setup on the Playstation 3 doesn't change how much power it has as Ram typically doesn't do any processing itself.

These consoles take years of development.

Microsoft was heavily criticized from the very beginning for it's ResolutionGate issues, clearly a repeat of that scenario wasn't on the cards... So if anything, the Xbox One X is more likely a response to the original Playstation 4 and the consumer base.

The Blu-Ray functionality is generally handled by an external app, not the system itself... And will thus likely receive an update at some point.

There are allot things that need "updating" on the Xbox One X on the software side of the fence.

The Xbox 360 didn't have more Ram.
The Cell's level of utilization in games doesn't change it's theoretical performance ceiling... In-fact many exclusives did use the Cell processor to a good degree and put it to work doing post-processing effects.

It's still not a great CPU, but it was far more capable than what the Xbox 360 had.

Then what Sony could have done is put in a smaller mechanical disk and included a 4k blu-ray drive for the same cost.
Then they could have created an app that allowed for 4k blu-ray playback and sold that at a small price.

Rather... What Sony has done is handed over a checklist feature to Microsoft.

The Xbox One X is pretty quiet.
However... It is a noisy when compared to my launch Xbox One which was literally inaudible, where my external HDD made more noise.

I think the concerns of reliability can be safely put behind us for both console manufacturers, I doubt Microsoft will make a return to the RROD days.

That was done in software though, the hardware itself didn't change, the hardware was always capable of operating at that clockrate.

It was more than just the CPU speed that was increased.

You are correct.
The 6 Teraflop number is just for the GPU.

2560 shaders * 2x Instructions per clock * 1172Mhz core clock = 6 Teraflops right on the dot.

Your point about changing the hardware specs to make a 4k BD possible has some merit, but whether or not a small enough HDD would even be worthwhile, yet leave room for a 4k BD drive, for $399, being sold at cost, is hard to say back in late 2016. You could even ask, what if they didn't even bother with a mass storage device and add 4k BD instead? They maybe could have just charged $499 and added 4k BD. They didn't though, and it's worked out fine so far.

PS didn't hand anything over. They traded a weaker checklist item for a stronger one. 4k BD or $399? The cheaper price will lead to more sales in the long run for Pro. It should also more than likely help boost PS5 sales due to it having a 4k BD drive, since the price should be right by then. PS is laser focused on balancing the dedicated game console vs media vs extra's vs price problem that trouble's all console launches and sales.

The XB1X hardware overall is impressive based on it's, how much tech can we give you without giving away the farm, business plan that XB and PS follow now. Since giant hardware subsidies are a thing of the past, XB1X fits the bill, I don't argue that one bit. It is quiet for it's size and performance.

I don't expect XB1X to have the same major RROD problems that the 360 had, because that would basically be the final nail in the XB coffin, but at this point in time I can't rule it out completely though. All I can say is that Pro now holds the reliability crown due to it's year advance release, just like how XB1X now holds the performance crown due to it's extra year of development. Pro could very well lose it's reliability crown to XB1X eventually, just like how XB1X could lose it's performance crown to another PS console eventually.

Considering that there are some BDXL Blu-Ray rom drives on the PC that aren't really that much more expensive than the "regular" version... The cost argument thus becomes tenuous at best as 4k Blu-Ray isn't a massive departure from that.

Besides... If the Xbox One S includes one and still sells for under $300 AUD, I'm sure it's more than feasible for a device that is $450-$500 AUD.

Regardless. Sony could have sold the Playstation 4 Pro with a 500GB Hard Drive and a 4k Blu-Ray drive. Then sold a 1/2 Terabyte variation for $50 more as a higher priced tier.

You know, I wouldn't actually be against the Xbox One and Playstation 4 coming with a version without a hard drive, some people are going to expand the storage either way so bundling one is pointless for those people.

Heck, they could also release a version that is without an optical disk as well... As some people have already transitioned to a 100% digital world.

More choice isn't a bad thing in my eyes.

I am a hardware enthusiast, thus I will always cry out for more, cost isn't always a concern.
The Xbox One X is using mid-range graphics hardware with a low-end CPU, there is no beating around the bush there... For some that is okay.

Yes I do understand there is a lot involved, and a lot of people, and that is one of the reasons I and others are saying that PS4Pro being fully revealed over 18 months before X1X releases COULD have affected the design of the X1X.

You don't have to break any NDA to give your credentials... or do you have any contract term that prohibit you from saying where you work and what is your name?

The issue on the claim is not that you work on the industry, is that you are using that to ascertain that you are privy of information that can't be released and as such no one can dispute your claim, so that is where the request for credentials come from.

I didn't know about the SW being twiked to change the clockrate (although I knew about the processor not being changed to achieve that). But the sole point I made is that it isn't impossible or even improbable to have changes in the specs a few months (in this case would be 18months) before release. PS4 had the RAM doubled and X1 had the CPU clock increased, both are evidence that they can change thinks either as reaction to competition or as internal improvements due to market availability of parts.

On the GPU, thanks for putting the details... and my point on that is that they also could have achieved the same 6Tflops with a different combination of shaders and core clock. So even if keeping the same face value they between reveal and release could have changed the internal configuration (like seeing it would be cheaper to have less shader at higher clock, or that it would be cooler to have more shaders at lower clock).

Yes, there isn't much excuse for Sony decision. What we can look at are "justifications". As put, it could increase cost a little, it could compete with their premium 4kBD players, there is few discs being sold, vg market isn't really caring about it, etc... all summed made Sony deciding to not include it so far.

Clockrates can change even after a console is released via a firmware update... PSP being the prime example of that.

But you are right... That in some instances you can change the specifications just a few months from release... To a point.
You can not just go and add more CU's to a SoC as that is a very time consuming process that requires respins and validation of the chips.
But if say... Higher density DRAM comes along... And uses the same pin-outs, it can basically be a drop in replacement.

Correct!
The GPU could have been twice the size, half the clock and have the exact same performance as it does now.
There is a balance of size vs clock rate to getting the best performance/efficiency combination that you can for any given manufacturing process.

Ultimately though people will vote with their wallets, for most people... The lack of 4k Blu-Ray isn't a factor in their purchasing decisions if the Playstation 4 and Xbox One S sales rate is anything to judge by.

Doesn't mean it's not a nice feature to have though.

I dont care about almost all of the things you have listed except the enforced super sampling. The Xbox One X is smaller and more powerful? Who would have guessed it costs 100€ more and came out a year later?

The PS4 Pro is more quite if you run games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDWVp0mfBF4

Of course it can run Tomb Raider in 4K because that game run in 1080p on the original xbox one in the first place, but 900p games not so much. So what happened with uncomprimised native 4K that MS was touting about?

Do i think the XBox One has a lot things doing better than PS4 Pro? Sure but its not the things MS or their followers are constantly boasting about, things like OG and 360 BC are a  valid arguments against the Pro which runs even better on the X, Fallout 3 even in 4K. Or the fact that unpatched games are boosting performance by using all the hardware power including GPU units, not just higher Mhz.

I can say that I was surprised that Sony to this day didn't made the same upclock on PS4, perhaps they were on the limit of the heat envelope. Still I don't really think it is uncommon for 18 months before release to not have the hardware finished even in design, but sure 12 months or less it would be very hard to have changes besides the both we covered.

And in the case of X1X considering people is saying it is very quite, doesn't consume excessive energy or heat a lot it is possible that they could even push the clockrate a little more?

On the BD, yep they were cheap and customers didn't complain... I would like the drive, but will take some time for there being discs here for me to buy.

they backpedaled and said they will let the devs choose.

By not supporting their first 500$ machine with new and interesting games, over the last few years in the first place... and now expecting them to shell out another 500$ after just 4 years, just to not feel left behind.. and, of course,  in order to play 3rd party and their old games better.