SNES

I partially agree, but where would RAM fit in to this conversation? And I think another thing to add to this is the real world performance of a Ferrari, i mean, on the test track they can say 240MPH that and 0-60 in 2 seconds that but while actually driving on a road you will never go over 80 mph most likely.

RAM is short term storage. It's used for three things:

1. Multitasking. Every program launched sits in RAM. The more programs up, the more RAM you need.

2. Load times. Storing part or all of a program in RAM allows for reductions in loading speeds. RAM is very fast compared to disc or drives.

3. Textures. The more RAM you have, the more textures you can load at once. You can also load higher resolution textures, albeit not as many of them.

If you look at the design of the PS4, this is exactly what the machine does. The sharing and social functions require multitasking. The emphasis on sleep modes and instant play requires load time reduction. And high resolution textures help with that "next gen" feel.

But the question most people wonder, is if the Wii U can compete with such tech. Clearly the PS4 is a stronger system, on paper. And because of this, people draw back to the last gen where Wii was outmatched by the HD twins. However the Wii U architecture isn't as lacking as people presume. The Wii simply couldn't do what the HD twins could, but the Wii U can do everything the PS4 and Durango can, just scaled back slightly. You won't see as many people on screen. The textures will be lower resolution in some games. The physics won't be as impressive. That kind of thing. But in terms of image quality, and if the system can run stuff like Deep Down? Yes, absolutely. It just won't be as impressive in a 1:1 comparison.

This generation is going to be like the Genesis and SNES, or the PS2/Xbox/GC gens, where the competing systems are all capable, with some compromises, and a few games on each that just wouldn't work on their competitors.

Clock speed isn’t everything, and sometimes power is a matter of efficiency, not pure numbers.

The only part of the article that matters. Better articles have done the work that this one didn't. The system doesn't need the high clock speeds of yesteryear, because it runs everything more efficiently. It's running the same games, day one, on a system that is smaller than the PS360, with far less heat and power consumption. Demos have shown the system is not a graphics slouch by any means. A basic understanding of development costs would tell anyone that for the next five years (long enough for the generation cycle to age), most companies won't be able to afford the graphic detail shown in UE4, Cryengine, or Luminous, but if they could (since the engines are scalable), the Wii U would handle them just fine.

This obsession over hardware power is stupid, petty, and pointless. Graphic capabilities right now produce some incredible looking games. The next huge graphics hardware leap won't be happening until high end GPU costs come down substantially, and anyone expecting the Wii U to be substantially less powerful than the next gen Sony and MS consoles is going to be very disappointed.

Why would you need this on a home console? On a portable one yeah but to me this is pointless......

It's about possibilities. The panorama view opens up new ways to see the world, sort of like a virtual vacation. There's the potential of integration into other services. Imagine wanting to meet with a friend from Miiverse or just curious to see where they live. Open up maps on the system, get directions, even just peer through the Gamepad to see their town. The 360 streetview is handy for gauging landmarks before programming it into a GPS device. If you have a large screen, you can look at larger areas, and more detailed close views.

It's pretty cool, it recognizes and capitalizes on one of the best aspects of the Google Maps (exploration), and it looks like fun. Plus, it also illustrates that Nintendo has a working relationship with Google (which is a good thing), and nothing precludes this from coming to the 3DS. Imagine looking up directions on the Wii U, scoping out the location, and then transmitting it to the 3DS to have the directions on the go. Granted, it's not likely to replace smartphones, but it shows the potential of the idea and what directions Nintendo is exploring, as well as the partnerships they're engaging in.