I hope it isn't. I prefer removable rechargable AA batteries over proprietary hard to replace internal batteries that wear out after a few years.

The key you have to remember is the kernel not the whole OS.  The Windows 8 kernel is very stable and MS has done a lot of improvements to it and is their best work to date I believe.  Forget about Metro and all of the services that MS runs for a PC because a lot of them will not be needed or even used.  Windows 8 is not a memory hog, its an OS used for a lot of different purposes so that's why you have a lot of services in memory.  Actually if you really want to streamline your PC, there are web sites that will tell you which services you can shut down for better performance.

I am not sure how long DS3 charges last but in my house not that long.  They definitely do not last as long as my rechargeable within the 360 pad.  Either way, its still faster for me to swap out batteries then mess around with charging my DS3 with a cable.

For BC you forget that MS has a digital catalog just like Sony.  I know I would like to be able to keep my digital catalog of games as well as my disk based games. I am sure there are a lot of 360 gamers who have invested a lot in XBL an they probably would like that invested available when they move to the next console.  This would be a very solid advantage for MS which they could advertise and gain back mindshare over the PS4.  There is no real counter that Sony could put up against that especially if both consoles are priced the same.

I actually thought about not buying any games on PSN because I will not be able to play them on the new console.  I do not plan on having 6 consoles under my TV so any console maker that gives me the chance to sell my old unit for a new one gets a +

For the SOC, its not hard to believe that MS can do this.  Its how they would handle being able to use both at the same time for Nextbox games.  With Unified memory, its more believable that MS could make calling the SOC no different than calling another GPU.  The API deals with the underneath stuff so it should be transparent to the developer.  You have to realize this is what MS do and they have the best tools when it comes to development so its not out of scope that this can be done.  If the Durango CPU and GPU can access the same memory the SOC works on then just threading your code should allow developers to use both at the same time.

I didn't question Microsofts ability to do this, I know its very much possible. What I'm saying is that why would they do it? It only makes development more complex and the console more expensive. What kind of benefit will they really get from doing this? Xbox 360 components aren't exactly state of the art and using them in parallel with the Durango specs won't really make a huge difference. They would be better off upping the clock speeds in the Durango APU, or just redesigning it to be more powerful to begin with. 

The VgLeaks rumor about a mini XBox being used for backwards compatibility is a much better idea. It gives people b/c without actually increasing costs of entry for those who don't want it and will never use it.

No. The guy in OP said the VGLeaks is right about the 360 mini (there is no name... we are calling it that) but the purpose of it is not to be a add-on for Nextbox but a independent equipment to plug into TV and play Xbox Live games (only downloaded... no DVD reader)... semms like Apple TV or a way simple Steam Box.

And the OP is saying Microsoft works to add the power of 360 SoC to Durango overall power... so the games will use the add CPU and GPU of 360 for games... when you compute RAW POWER you sum every computer processor in the system.

Seems in line with the others rumors... and the guy not said the VGLeaks is wrong just they lacks some info.