According to a Reuters report released today, Nintendo's next-generation GameCube console has amassed a considerable hardware sales lead over Microsoft's Xbox platform since the two systems debuted worldwide. But this could be a short-lived lead if analysts are to be believed.
GameCube has sold through 4.8 million pieces of hardware around the globe compared to 3.8 million Xbox units, cited a study conducted by the Ziff Davis Media Game Group, which polled some 2,000 videogame players.

Interestingly, though, the study also showed that 15 percent of those surveyed wanted to buy an Xbox compared to just nine percent GameCube. Based on those results, the Media Group projected that Xbox will see a total installed base rise to 13.7 million homes globally in 2003 versus 11.2 GameCube owners in the same year.

--IGN