Registering on PSN, XBL, eShop is also free. I'm sure, that registering on NX is free after you bought the hardware. Your PC hardware ain't free either, is it?

So, according to that GAF summary there will be different SKUs, one with a disk drive and one without. The patent is for the one without one.

I'd be disappointed if they still use optical disks instead of flash, but maybe it's just for Wii U backwards compatibility.

That sounds good, so consumers will have the choice between 2 models.

An inexpensive entry model for people who don't need an optical drive and want to purchase their games digital. And a premium model with additional optical drive for people who want physical games.

The price difference could be much bigger than the costs of the optical drive... the profit margin in the eShop will be higher than for retail games. And Nintendo can advertise the lower price of the entry model.

The thing is if anyone can get away with it it's Nintendo. Microsoft got in trouble because people could just divert to PS4 for most games. Nintendo fans can't do that because all their favorite games are from Nintendo only on Nintendo systems.

That said i prefer buying my games on disc.

It may as well be digital only. The only reason its relevant is because of digital.

A PC isn't free. The Nintendo membership program, which will work like Steam in that its what you will connect through to buy games from the eshop, will be free, so it's a perfect comparison.

In other words, the someone needs to update the OP and get rid of this cart nonsense.

Too hung up? You suriously think Nintendo would intentionally shaft 3rd parties that harshly and that directly just because they haven't been "big movers?" Because I don't.

The most likely scenario is that there will be 2 SKUs for NX - or the handheld could in fact be the one without an optical disk-drive, i guess.

Still, spemanig, is right. Digital only devices are commonplace today... worldwide!
Although, one thing is downloading an Indie game (i know some are quite big) and another is downloading something like 30-50GB. This is where things may not go well and that's why i believe a SKU with optical disk-drive will and needs to happen.

Btw, remember all the fuss about having to download a firmware update when you started using your Wii U? It lasted more than an hour and people weren't exactly thrilled about it.
That's what can go wrong.

There are other ways to please retailers if a digital only SKU also gets released.
For example, they could have their own store on the eShop with special promotions (limited number of downloads, of course); download cards or special amiibo with codes at retail.

MS got in trouble because of the DRM not because of the digital side of things, you weren't even going to be able to lend retail games to people hence that notorious how to lend games piss take Sony did.

This sounds very much like Wii U 2.0 but with a card slot/Sd cards for physical games instaed of a disc drive.