Review of the Sony PlayStation Portable

[Filip Norrgard]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?head=49&page=2219' target='_blank'>http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?head=49&page=2219</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Put simply, the PSP is the most important thing to happen in the video game industry since the launch of the original PlayStation. I know what you’re thinking; that’s a pretty bold statement, especially since this is Sony’s first attempt at a hand-held gaming platform. But let’s remember that being the new kid on the block didn’t stop the original PlayStation from redefining video games."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/SonyPSP.jpg" /><br /><br />Trusted Reviews gave the PSP a full 10/10 and their "editor's choice" seal, which is no surprise; the PSP is a sweet package in a sexy case. However, the dead pixels issue on the screen and the memory stink format are two issues that weighs in against buying a PSP in my book. On the other hand, as the screen is supposed to be "breathtaking", which might just be enough to change my mind. ;) Any fortunate PSP owners care to share their experiences with the device?

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

I've seen the screen up close, and it's pretty awesome. Also it's no slouch at rendering 3D games!

[jeffd]

Well to be fair, memory stick prices are now inline with CF and SD.

And name me one lcd device that DOSNT suffer from dead pixle issues?

[koriel]

And name me one lcd device that DOSNT suffer from dead pixle issues?

IIRC, don't samsung now have a "zero dead pixels" policy for all their LCD screens?

[koriel]

Just done a quick google and it is Samsung :)

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000870025629/

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Well to be fair, memory stick prices are now inline with CF and SD.


I don't think so, unfortunately. They still have a premium over CF and SD.

[JamFactory]

I'm lucky enough to be in the UK and to have one of these, i paid a fair price but got it imported over here.

And im really not surprised it got 10/10 - it really is just the next generation of console in your hands.

The screen is amazing, breathtaking even. I have a PDA business and the screen on the PSP easily rivals, if not beats, most HP iPaq screens.

I love the thing and dont feel guilty in the slightest about paying £350 to own it now. Ridge Racers is fantastic too, for something i thought i'd get bought of pretty fast, i havent at all, i'm just getting into it!

I've got a 3 hour train journey next week to see a client and i cannot wait to go on it! 3 dedicated hours of PSP fun!

So to cut it short, it is the most outstanding hand-held console i've ever seen, definatly the next generation. I can't wait to see wireless web browsing / email software too, that will be the icing on the cake!

[marcm]

I pre-ordered mine. It looks like an amazing device! I can't wait until March/April... *drool*

[jeffd]

Well a policy dosnt prevent dead pixles from happening, but samsung has a 0 dead pixle policy on any new lcd monitors (it didnt apply to any exhisting ones) in one country.. and that county wasnt the US. :/

And according to price watch, 256 meg memory stick is actually cheaper then CF. And overall the price is matched with the other 2, so that looks inline to me.

[Chris Gohlke]

And according to price watch, 256 meg memory stick is actually cheaper then CF. And overall the price is matched with the other 2, so that looks inline to me.

I assume you are comparing the $19 to $14 listed on their page?

If you actually click on the link, you will see the memory stick one is actually a link to a card reader and not a 256 MS while the CF really is a card.

For reference purposes -

New Egg shows the cheapest 256 MS at $42 - http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-191-404&amp;depa=1

and the cheapest 256 CF at $18.99 - http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-170-103&amp;depa=1

[mcsouth]

Another key point - the PSP only takes MS Duo, so the NewEgg price jumps to between $50 and $70 for that 256MB stick - a far cry from what SD or CF cards in that same size cost. You can get a 1GB card in either of those form factors for that money!

That being said, I must admit that I am being seduced by the dark power of the PSP - I agree with the overall appearance being a huge draw before one even turns the unit on - it just looks sexy!

If I thought that Sony would ever open up the UMD format so that we could "burn our own", I would be all over this unit. Unfortunately, I don't think that Sony will, given their tendency to stick with their proprietary technology (although they have recently conceded to MP3 formats on their devices....maybe there is hope?).

It will be interesting to see what Sony does with this unit oever the next year or so, and how the overall market reacts. Given the overall success of console gaming and their proprietary formats, maybe Sony will have a winner with this unit - people may not care what games cost, or that they are limited in the supported file formats, or the ability to rip and burn their own DVD's to UMD's.....