I don't think Microsoft will start using dedicated ram pools, considering the current and previous console only had that 1 pool.  People are complaining because if this rumour is remotely true, then the next xbox is gonna have 2 gigs of ram, which is quite puny since you can cheaply get 8.

No they mean only 2GB system RAM. GPU memory numbers are seldom revealed this early.

If they meant 2GB video RAM that would have been cool.

True, but when you think about the fact that they've really been pushing the 360's multimedia capabilites over the past couple of years, and are about to really step it up by making it essentially a set-top box extension for some of the big cable and IPs out there, you gotta think that they're only going to continue down that path with the system's successor, plus factor in the rumors that the system will be operating on a Windows-8 style platform, and you have even more of a memory hog.  That would require alot of memory for multitasking, and having a single pool where the GPU is using most of it probably wouldn't be the best way to go, so it's still quite possible that they include additional RAM on board the main motherboard.

But then again this is all rumor and speculation so for all we know we're just pissing in the wind right now.

I totally believe you about current RAM requirements, but this is because game devs still develop for 32bit architectures, with 4GB total RAM limits of which 3.5GB at most, or lower, available in user space. MS being very late to provide a decent 64bit version of Windows kept SW a lot behind HW true possibilities, but this won't last forever, when users will start phasing out XP, 32bit user base will start becoming less relevant, and in 2014 MS extended support for XP will end, so, if it won't have happened before, 64bit will become the majority, then. 2014 will be very early in the life of next gen consoles, so, while perfectly fine for Nintendo, that relies the most on 1st party exclusives, for MS and Sony, that thrive on huge 3rd party multiplats too, being avaricious on RAM could be quite short sighted and risky. 4GB RAM instead of 2GB won't add more than $5 to XB720 production cost, by 2013, so it's worth to play safe. I don't even suggest 8GB, although, like you, I'd like it too, but I'm quite sure that once devs assume 8GB will have become standard on PCs, 4GB will become the true safe minimum for consoles. Not now, but in the near future.

I think its fake if only because i would expect Microsoft to use DDR4 RAM and because 2GB of RAM would end up as a massive bottleneck for one of the cheapest components. It is far more likely that Microsoft will look to save money on the CPU or GPU than RAM.

The hardware sounds about right. And while 2GB is too low (especially since 2GB would probably cost them the same if not more than 4GB would cost), this is early, where console manufacturers will change things up until about 6 months before release, and it's also a rumor.

The 6-core CPU makes sense and is perfect for power, performance, and backwards compatibility (especially if it is basically a modified combination of 2x Xenons). The dual-gpu with a good amount of eDRAM would also ensure full 1080p resolution support with full 3D, all at 60fps or higher. And again, a dual-gpu with similar architecture to the current GPU would make backwards compatibility a breeze.

I think MS's strategy going forward though, will be to offer a streaming service for certain games, like OnLive, to allow the Xbox 360 to be "Forwards Compatible" with a lot of the NextBox's games. This should exclude multiplayer experiences (except for RPGs), though, as the added in lag from streaming the game would ruin the online gameplay.

A lower end dual GPU truly makes sense as they can literally double the performance while keeping the watage used lower and spread the heat. Something like dual 6850 would be very good.

I am not surprised by this news at all and it fits entirely with my prediction that Nex-Box will launch winter 2012. All the evidence points to 2012 and the idea of it coming in 2013,2014 is insane.

This recent leak confirmed that the Nex-Box began development in 2005, that is obviously true. We also know 343 hired staff to work on a Next-Generation title in 2008 when they began work on Halo 4. Other developers and publishers have been doing damage control for almost a year now because leaks suggest early dev kits have been in their hands for awhile now. Microsoft stated prior to 360's release that a huge part of their strategy was based on getting to the market first, they stated if they allowed a competitor time on the market unchallenged it would be a fatal mistake.

So launching in 2013 wouldn't fit with what we know right now. We know Microsoft has had the Nex-Box in development since 2005 there is no reason to doubt that it is ready for the market next year. We also know internal development on next generation software began in 2008, that means Microsoft already had a good idea what the hardware would and was capable of. With the leaks from all over saying kits are in developer hands and have been for nearly a year, launching in 2013 would be foolish. Then add in Microsoft's fundemental strategy launch first and don't give a competitor time on the market unchallenged, it would be completely out of question to give Nintendo a whole year head start.

As for the specs, Microsoft and Sony are both going for a cheaper profitable console this generation. With the success of Wii Nintendo proved you don't need a massive improvement to sell new hardware. The hardware leaked is more then enough to justify a new generation even if we assumed the rest of the specs aren't going to have any surprises.

Microsoft would be insane to give Nintendo a year head start. They would be even more insane to produce a high end console which they sell at a loss. Even further insane to hold off the software they already have assuming they began development in 2008 as they claim then they must have several titles ready for launch, something Nintendo doesn't even have. Microsoft's best chance at being a success next gen is to crush Nintendo in 2012 while bringing in the profits to survive the rest of the generation!