Hands-on with the new PSP

The new PSP is 33 percent lighter and 19 percent slimmer.

(Credit: GameSpot)

James Yu at GameSpot got to spend some quality time with the newly redesigned PSP at last week's E3 show. Some of the details he confirmed during his hands-on session with the new PSP:

• The reduced weight is noticeable when you pick it up.
• The new battery is slimmer. Old PSP batteries can be used to "double playing time," but the battery cover won't fit over top of it. Instead, Sony will offer a high-capacity power kit with a fitted cover.
• The control layout is essentially the same, but GameSpot editors felt the d-pad and buttons on the new unit provided "a little more tactile feedback and better overall feel."
• Standard 3.5mm headphones will still work, but the new jack configuration won't be compatible with the existing PSP remote.
• The improved game loading time is said to be due to the doubling of the internal RAM (from 32MB to 64MB), which allows more of the game data to be loaded from UMD to the internal memory.
• AV output cables will be sold separately, and available in composite, S-Video, and component varieties (price TBD).
• The new PSP can be charged over USB--opening the possibility that you'll be able to use more generic power adapters, and charge straight from a PC.
• The new PSP will retain the $169 price tag of the existing model when it hits this September. The $200 "Entertainment Pack" versions will also be available, with additional colors and pack-ins.

For complete details, check out the full report at GameSpot, which also includes plenty of photos.

[BCF1968]

what about web browsing?

Only 4 MB of the 32 MB on the original PSP was used for the web browswer which made viewing the web almost useless. How much of the extra 32 MB is going to be used? I doubt it's the entire 32 MB which would actually be necessary. I'm kind of disappointed at the addition of only 32 MB. I undestand they didn't want to add 8 GB like some rumors said because then they wouldn't be able to see memory cards, but hell they could have put 256 MB in there instead of 64.

I need to know how much extra RAM the web browswer uses and if they are going upgrade the flash capabilities before I consider buying this new version.

[rear3000]

Speakers better

Well the old PSP's speaker were horrible. Will they be improved?

[hardrockguru]

The PSP sucks......

The Nintendo DS Lite is the best overall handheld ever. And no, the speakers on the new PSP are not improved.

[brandonh33]

PSP is best

You cant even start comparing the ds or any other small gaming device to the psp, nothing comes close! hardrockguru is just anti sony you can find his ignorant negitave posts on anything about the ps1-ps3. And im sure that he has many more on other sony products. He doesnt back up his statments with facts.

[c.Lake]

Games are the ONLY thing that matters

The PSP is good.. Finally. It won't be great until the Final Fantasy games come
out.