The PS3 at launch was pretty much equal to high-end PCs. The PS4 right now, it only equal to mid-range PCs, and by the end of the year it'll be below mid-range. The new Xbox is in the same league. With the Wii U being only a bit faster than the current PS3/Xbox 360, it's obvious the target for consoles has shifted. They no longer are trying to shoot for the stars, they just want to build something that's easy to program, and easy to hook up to a TV.
You're right about one thing, these days if someone has $600 to spare they'll buy an iPad.
