In conversation with GameSpot, Robert W. Baird analyst Colin Sebastian stated that both Microsoft and Sony will have trouble at launch with regards to unit shortages for the Xbox One and PS4 respectively. He also expects that both consoles will be launching in early November.
Microsoft earlier stated that the Xbox One would indeed launch in November, without giving a concrete release date, while Sony has been hyping the Holiday season launch of the PS4 since revealing the console in February this year. Sebastian was mum on which console he expects to launch first, however.
According to Sebastian, Microsoft and Sony “have been somewhat judicious in allocating pre-sale units to retailers” owing to the complexities of coordinating a simultaneous launch across regions worldwide. The good news is that if you pre-ordered a console, your chances of getting one are significantly higher in that case. Stay tuned for more details, and hit up those pre-orders in the meantime.