It's a next generation console because it's a next generation console. A lot of people seem to be confused as to what 'generation' means. Look it up in the dictionary.

CPU: 32.76mm^2
GPU: 156.21mm^2
3rd die: 2.65mm^2

So no it isn't theoretical to say that the PS3 has more CPU performance. It isn't theoretical so say that the PS3 has twice the memory bandwidth. So whilst you're busy arguing based on wishful thinking the facts are starting to emerge. You can't simplify 7 years of tool development and PowerPC optimisation as 'wait for the performance' when all the hard work has already been done. The Wii U is based on existing technology so I wouldn't hold my breath for optimisation when that optimisation has already been done for the most part.

So, how much edram does the Wii U have? What is the bandwidth and latency of this edram? How is it allocated between frame-buffers and texture cache?

If the PS3 is more powerful than the Wii U, and the Wii U is rendering 50% more pixels than the PS3, why don't we see significant improvements in visuals in highly optimized PS3 games over first generation Wii U games?

6 years or work by Epic, Ubisoft, EA Games/Bioware, Activision and Rocksteady working to optimize performance for the PS3 and the Wii U gets similar performance while rendering to a second screen on ports created by small/unknown developers who were rushed to make it out for launch; either these games were ported by the best developers in the world or the Wii U is more powerful. TODAY we have evidence that the Wii U is more powerful ... We can't say much beyond that because nothing has been shown to be dramatically more demanding than PS3 games, but you would have to be in denial to argue otherwise.

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/18/review-nintendo-wii-u/

Here's a some stuff from this review that concerns me:

The Wii U doesn't feel exactly like the "next generation." The menu interface feels like the Wii, and the graphics output by games are nothing that can't be done on the current generation of HD consoles. Furthermore, the troubles already apparent in the Wii U's online services point to Nintendo as usual, behind not just on networking in a conceptual way, but literally behind on its implementation of its own network.

There is significant load time involved with loading apps from the Wii U menu. I counted 15 seconds between exiting the system settings menu and the reappearance of the Wii U menu.

The battery life for the GamePad clocks in at almost exactly 3 and a half hours.

Hahaha I love that comment Im gunna put in in my sig XD

any news regarding first day sales?

They're correct on the second point.

On the first point, patience is a virtue. It's clear that it's not immediately capable of leaps and bounds over prior generation, but the raw numbers are there.

And Squilliam, it's long been clear that the Wii U CPU is lower-capacity, but it's not meant to be a stronger CPU, it's meant to be a smarter CPU. It off-loads a lot of crap that used to be handled by the CPU (audio, and from what we know, a good chunk of physics)

From what I can tell, roughly 100% of whatever Nintendo shipped ...

I personally use a local Superstore as a "Canary in the Coal Mine" as far as system sales at launch because it is one of the last places people shop for electronics; for example I picked up a Wii on launch day by getting into line at 7:30 in the morning and I was 11th in line, while the local walmart had 40 people in line by midnight. Systems like the 3DS and PS-Vita didn't sell out on launch day (in fact, I don't think the PS-Vita ever sold out there), while the PS3 and Wii sold out on people lining up. I checked it out at (about) 2:00pm before watching the football game and they had sold out. I also checked out the local walmart when I picked up groceries after the game and they had also sold out; although they did have a couple of display boxes, and a couple systems behind their counter for pre-orders that hadn't been picked up.

At this point in time, there are likely systems still for sale in some towns/cities and in some stores but you'd be pretty lucky to find one.

Nintendo dupes people over and over and over again. I was fooled just like everyone else until now. Nintendo will keep this up until consumers stop buying their products.

Nintendo isnt duping anyone. They've always gone for children and families before any individual adult.