349.99? For a bundle of what?

Let me pick out some key-words here:

[A] Supposed [source who] claims [to] have [attended...]

I don't think I'm believing this "supposed source", just yet. ;P

$200 for the full system without a pack in would still win this gen imho. $200 is a insane price, and getting a cut a year or two later to $150 (if it ever even needed that) would be insane for MS and Sony to keep up with.

Of course! Sticks are always the best way to get things done. xD

Possible, but unlikely.  Only the 3DS was sold at a large loss, and even then it launched at a profit.  Every other time they've had small profits on the hardware or a very small loss.

They have a console with similar capabilities as other HD consoles so why should they charge twice the price? The tablet is there to make the system more accessible (less intimidating) and offer wider gameplay possibilities. $199 - $249 are both good prices, $299 seems to be quite excessive. The system isn't significantly different in terms of hardware to the original Wii and that system was originally supposed to be priced at $199 without a game so $199 for the Wii U without a game seems pretty comparable.

Definitely not true, if Nintendo is keeping to their model and not selling it at a loss. The report that came out in May said the component parts for the Wii U with the GamePad were around $180, not including shipping, packaging, marketing, and retail margins. $249 is probably breaking even considering all the costs, and $299 is light profit for Nintendo most likely.

Yes, you're right, but what's their market?  Are they assuming the  90+ million people who bought a Wii don't own a 360 or PS3?  I mean, Microsoft and Sony are fighting tooth and nail for "teh corez gamerz", who's gonna be left for Nintendo?  I mean, I have a hard time believing Nintendo would gimp their console so much just to go after Sony and Microsoft's shrinking market (By shrinking I mean they're yearly sales are decreasing).

So we have a console that is more powerful even when compared to contemporary hardware than the Wii, and has a more expensive controller, launching at $50 cheaper, and with 6 years of inflation making the price even cheaper?

The author is either stupid, or wants more hits.

The Wii U will sell for $250-$300, no less.

If it is $200, then Nintendo will have a MUCH easier time selling this console.