You're forgetting that a lot of people haven't even heard that there's going to be a new Xbox, including people who would be very likely to buy one. "My Friends" is not a really great sample size.
Do I think that word of mouth about the internet does have an effect? Yeah, absolutely. However, there's always these posts that are like "Man look at all the flak microsoft is getting on our internet forum! I bet they're reconsidering the whole thing! The next Xbox will absolutely fail now!". It's silly and myopic. People on GAF get outraged at Call of Duty shit all the time, but that series keeps on selling. And if GAF outrage was the factor some people think it is, EA wouldn't even be in business. I think the discussion accumulates over time and has an impact, but it's not the immediate "oh shit" impact people think it is.
I think "Always Online Required" is not something that immediately jumps out as a problem to many people. It has to be explained. You would also have to be reading about its features to care, which is another limiting factor to the amount of people who would care. Most people don't even read about this stuff before buying. This isn't ignorant or stupid behavior. It's just normal. Not everyone obsesses over this stuff like forums and the press. Did you know that the newest line of Nike shoes aren't made with the same high quality stitching that they used to? No, you didn't, because you're not a connoisseur of shoes. I bet the Nike forums are going apeshit though.