Slashdot Mirror


PSP-Slim Hands On

fistfullast33l writes "PSPFanboy, a Joystiq blog, has a great closeup of the new PSP redesign. Photos show the old PSP and the new PSP side by side. Modifications include adding more RAM (up to 64MB), extended battery life, a new UMD loading door, removal of the IR port (Sony really hates infrared), and a redesigned headphone jack to support video output. Sony confirmed that you will be able to play movies and games through the video out, but the games can only be viewable via component, not composite cables. Also, 0okm has some nice pictures of the new PSP internals as well as a manual snapshot showing button layout (the wireless switch was moved) and TV out information." Gamasutra has the news that the slim-line is due out on September 20th in Japan.

8 of 121 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Other important (non)-feature.. by Constantine+XVI · · Score: 4, Informative

    Actually, it's been proven to use the TA-085 motherboard, which CAN run homebrew.

    --
    "I think an etch-a-sketch with an ethernet port would beat IE7 in web standards compliance."
  2. No composite video for games?? by physicsnick · · Score: 3, Interesting

    What the hell? Why not?

    Around where I live (Canada), I've never even seen a TV that takes component cables. Don't virtually all older TVs in North America take only composite? I thought the point of this was to make it into a sort of portable console; what's the point if you can't just plug it into any TV?

    This is so incredibly frustrating. I was all excited about the new PSP, and now I find it won't even work on my TV. Why didn't they tell us this in the presentation? Did they think we weren't going to notice?

    1. Re:No composite video for games?? by ZakuSage · · Score: 3, Informative

      Component is required because progressive scan is required for games. Whatever reason they have for necessitating progressive scan, I don't know...

  3. Re:Other important (non)-feature.. by fistfullast33l · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Sony hasn't supported homebrew since PSP firmware 1.0...no reason to expect them to support it now.

  4. Re:Other important (non)-feature.. by EveryNickIsTaken · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Can't read that site from work here, however, it's likely a spec sheet / preview sheet based on a preview/press model. Given that Sony is now well known for changing hardware mid-production (see - no more Emotion engine chip) - I wouldn't give these preview specs too much weight until the final products ship.

  5. Re:No difference? by fistfullast33l · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The PSP really hasn't lost any body weight.

    If you're going to bash a redesign, at least read the article in the summary:

    The most immediate thing we noticed was how light the system is: the original was in no ways heavy, but the new handheld is certainly much lighter, without making it too feathery.

    Granted, maybe you actually attended E3 and held the device and this is a matter of opinion, but that seems like a pretty dumb statement to make if you haven't.

  6. Re:how did they do it? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The added RAM means less time spinning the UMD looking for data. The biggest energy sapping system in the PSP is the UMD Drive. With 64mb of RAM, that means you don't need to look stuff up on the disc as often...

  7. Summary by suv4x4 · · Score: 4, Informative

    That was a boring article:

    We're very excited.

    The new PSP is much slimmer than the original, but the original is slim too.
    The new PSP is much lighter than the original, but the original is light too.
    The new PSP is much shinier than the original, but the original is shiny too.
    The new buttons "feel better".

    We'll talk a bit about the infrared and composite, but won't test it, or give you our feedback on any of this.

    We're very excited (again).

    The new PSP is much better than the original, but the original is good too.

    THE END