I'm just speculating, but demand is never higher for a console than a launch, and barring any supply issues I think there should be a million NA consumers out there who want one during this 'peak' period, in fact I'd say that about every console launch (except maybe the Wii U), they just historically never had enough consoles to go around. Unless the console market has indeed contracted dramatically and the PS4 has soaked up the lions share of consumers, I think it can achieve that goal.
As for worldwide sales, I'd agree the PS4 is looking like the clear winner, but I'm going to wait a few months to see how things pan out to look at that (and the post-launch outlook of both machines).
Console launches are nowhere near the peak of demand, taking a quick look at NPD numbers for the past generation:
Month | 360 | PS3 | Wii
November 2005 | 326,000 | |
December 2005 | 281,000 | |
November 2006 | 511,000 | 197,000 | 476,000
December 2006 | 1,100,000 | 490,700 | 604,200
November 2007 | 770,000 | 466,000 | 981,000
December 2007 | 1,260,000 | 797,600 | 1,350,000
November 2008 | 836,000 | 378,000 | 2,040,000
December 2008 | 1,440,000 | 726,000 | 2,150,000
November 2009 | 819,500 | 710,400 | 1,260,000
December 2009 | 1,310,000 | 1,360,000 | 3,810,000
November 2010 | 1,370,000 | 530,000 | 1,270,000
December 2010 | 1,860,000 | 1,210,000 | 2,360,000
November 2011 | 1,700,000 | 901,000 | 860,000
December 2011 | 1,700,000 | 936,000 | 1,060,000
Demand for the Wii didn't peak until 2008-2009, and demand for the 360 didn't peak until 2010/2011. The PS4 will be putting out significantly more impressive numbers in the years to come for sure, and possibly the Xbone if Microsoft can get their shit together in the next year or so.