It'd still be the weakest next gen console.

Chucking a load of RAM in without upgrading the CPU would create huge bottlenecks in the system hardware...
but, if Wii U did launch with very similar specs to that of the xbone and the ps4 the media and 90% of vgchartz would still be singing its death march.

It's funny that we are even having this debate when there hasn't been one game on the Wii U right now (1st, 2nd or 3rd party) that has been built from the ground up.

Yeah, I did change the title.

After reading the comments then I guess that this would have been a risky idea anyway.

No games that has been built only for Wii U hardware, what about Super Mario 3D, Pikmin, Wonderful 101, Super Mario Bros?

Ram alone wouldn't do much, the WiiU's largest deficit is the CPU and GPU.

Had the WiiU come with the following:
CPU: 1.6Ghz Quad core X86 CPU
GPU: 800GF DX10 capable feature set with 32MB of EDram
Ram: 6GB of DDR3

Then the WiiU would still have been an efficient machine, but one that now closes the gap between the PS4/X1 enabling 3rd parties to at least port to the WiiU since the difference in power, although lower, isn't substantial anymore.

As for backwards computability, it would still be there, rather than have it on a hardware level like the current WiiU, it'll be on the software level like the Dolphine emulator, but better because Nintendo have more resources and documentation on the ins and outs of the Wii.

Yes this version of the WiiU could of been slightly more expensive, but it would of been no more than say $349 - $399, expensive for a Nintendo machine true, but with the specs listed above and the 1 year head start it would of at least gained more traction with in the core gamers. Then come the PS4/X1 launch they could of reduced the price further.

Key aspects,
-Hardware would be clearly more powerful than the PS3/360, their would of been little to no debate about the WiiUs power if the above specs had been the case. Result, more core gamers would of given it a chance.

-Because of the above specs, games would have come out which easily showed off that it was capable no matter the ports...non informed consumers would of seen a difference and along with the core they would have bought more WiiU's or at the very least given it a chance.

-3rd parties would be happier as the power difference between the PS4/X1 to WiiU with the above specs would of been negligible, meaning supporting it from day one as well as continuing support for it even once the PS4/X1 launched.

-with the above specs, and the one year head start, the WiiU would of had a serious advantage install base over the PS4/X1 before they launched.

anyways that's my 2 cents.

TurboGrafx 16, 3DO, Dreamcast. SNES was a beast. Second only to the Neo Geo.

If the Wiiu had 8 GB of Ram, it would cost a lot more, it wouldn´t sell well on launch and third parties wouldn´t be developing anything for it, the same way they´re doing right now.
Nintendo consoles rely on Nintendo games to sell, if Nintendo can deliver excellent first party games, the device will sell good enough.

Super Mario 3D World -modified Galaxy engine

Pikmin 3 - started development on Wii

Wonderful 101- (I will concede to that)

New Super Bros. U- obvious Wii port

Nope, I was gunna say it needs games, but its gotten a steady flow lately and hasn't picked up enough. It needs casuals, what ever it takes to get them. Better advertising maybe?