Manual reveals some details on newly redesigned PSP Lite

by Christopher Grant { Jul 16th 2007 at 11:56AM }

We already uncovered a couple of the details gleaned from the newly redesigned PSP's manual from our own experiences with the unit, but there's a couple we weren't aware of. Here's the list:

RAM has been doubled to 64MB, games should load faster
The new system will support charging over USB
The 1200mAh battery is rated at 3-6 hours, the same as the original PSP's 1800mAh battery (good news: more efficient, bad news: same overall runtime)
Original PSP remotes will not work with the new PSP
The fancy component AV cable will not be included (big surprise)
The PSP Lite features a TA-085 PCB ... so, uh, yeah ...

We'll admit it, we feel silly coveting this thing. Like the DS Lite, the PSP Lite is the same old PSP with a svelte new bod and yet, we're powerless to resist its charms. That new video-out functionality is pretty amazing though ... yeah, that's it.

[Via Engadget]

Tags: PSPLite

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Martin @ Jul 16th 2007 12:00PM

While I agree that video out is a nice addition, it coupled with the other features listed here don't scream, "UPGRADE!" to me. It should be good for my nephew when he picks one up.

vidGuy @ Jul 16th 2007 12:02PM

Yeah, the RAM is nice and all, but it seems to be mostly a new case. It'd be the one to get if you are buying a PSP after its release, but I don't think current PSP owners are going to be rebuying the handheld.

Christopher Grant @ Jul 16th 2007 12:06PM

I'm curious to see who this appeals to. The DS Lite had almost no new features (brighter screen was about it) and it sold plenty to existing owners. But, then again, the DS was really awful looking compared to the Lite, and the PSP still looks plenty slick ... hrm ...

required @ Jul 16th 2007 12:20PM

It appeals to me.

Megaqwerty @ Jul 16th 2007 3:23PM

Admittedly, the original PSP design was fairly awesome, but it's hard to immediately tell the difference between the two PSP's whereas one could immediately see the sexiness of a Lite versus a Phat.

While I certainly plan on getting one of these, if I already had a PSP, I could care less.

Tony @ Jul 16th 2007 12:05PM

I thought they said it would have better battery life? How is that possible if it's the same as before? Is it somehow just more efficient with the same battery?

vidGuy @ Jul 16th 2007 12:54PM

It does have "better" quality of battery life (more efficient) but it doesn't have a LONGER life! :)

thebigfatj @ Jul 16th 2007 12:09PM

Tony: They put a smaller and weaker battery in it. The old battery had 50% more power than the new battery does.

Konny @ Jul 16th 2007 12:12PM

DS Phat looked like a throwback to the 80's.. thats why a lot of people (everybody) upgraded to Lite when it came out... there was such a HUGE and obvious difference between the two.

The PSP was pretty slick to begin with; there is less room to improve its slickiness.. so, less reason to dump PSPhat for the Slim .. Video out is the only reason to upgrade if you already have PSPhat

sheppy @ Jul 16th 2007 12:13PM

Will the old batteries fit? That's the question.

And Christopher Grant, this will appeal to me. I have several games I love (Legend of Heroes, Valkerye Profile, etc) than I cannot play PSP hours upon hours. Or any handheld, really. But if I could hook em up to a TV...

Also, I can't be the only person amused that PSP now sports the same amount of accessable ram as the Wii.

Fernando Rocker @ Jul 16th 2007 12:23PM

So, sheppy... remember last week when I told you that the battery will last like the old battery, and you say NO, It will last 10 hours?

sheppy @ Jul 16th 2007 12:35PM

Actually... no, I don't remember that.

Crono @ Jul 16th 2007 1:24PM

I do

BPM @ Jul 16th 2007 1:52PM

Fernando,

The newer PSP has a smaller battery than the old one (1200 mAh vs. 1800 mAh). If you put a larger battery in the new PSP, it'd last much longer than it would in the old PSP.
(granted, the big question is if a new battery form factor is used in the new PSP or not)

Zertoss @ Jul 16th 2007 12:17PM

I don't own a PSP, but I'm going to soon with this redesign.

TA-085 PCB! w00t!

whosmav @ Jul 16th 2007 12:27PM

It still sucks. Load times should not be part of a portable.
The PSP is extinct. I doubt this will resurrect it.
Considering this was basically the only news about PSP at E3(where are the games!) it seems like this hardware revision is a last grope.

the_game_master @ Jul 16th 2007 12:28PM

Now is Sony officially calling this the PSP Lite or are you implying just because of the DS remake is also "DS Lite". Frankly I hope Sony gives it the official name "PSP Lite" so they can directly show that they are aiming right towards the DS. Had "PSP Lite" been sold last year at its current price I probably would have bought this instead of the DS Lite.

Ninjakamster @ Jul 16th 2007 12:32PM

Look at Gamespot's hands-on with the new PSP, they say that the older batteries work but the battery cover then won't fit over it because the older batteries are thicker but Sony is working on a separatedly to buy cover that would fit. So with the official Sony 1800 and 2200 MAH batteries in the new PSP, even better battery life, yay!

Nate @ Jul 16th 2007 12:42PM

so the battery doesn't last longer, and we'll be paying 20 extra dollars to play on a TV. Chocolate gyp cookie...

Jake @ Jul 16th 2007 2:28PM

$20 extra? This model will cost the same as the current model. There are bundles, like the $199 one that includes a game, movie, and 1 gig MS. The core pack, however, with just the PSP is still $169.

Chalito @ Jul 16th 2007 12:43PM

Meh, GP2X has video out already, so nothing new there. It does kick ass, however. to be able to play mame on the TV without having to drag my pc all the way to the living room :)

StrangeBum @ Jul 16th 2007 12:53PM

My PSP works well enough for most things and doesn't necessarily need to be updated. However, the upgraded RAM will be an excellant addition, but the big reason for me to be getting a new one is that my analog nub is broken.

I'm constantly struggling to get a good camera angle in MGS: Portable Ops because the nub is constantly tilting itself downward and I'm not one to open up my casing to try and fix it.

TheCassidy @ Jul 16th 2007 12:54PM

C'mon, you guys know you want one to replace the PSP clunker you've got now.

I'm all over this thing like Kotaku on a game cake story.

C.

Rask @ Jul 16th 2007 12:58PM

Lovely. In typical Sony fashion, the propriately cable to connect the PSP to your TV is sold seperately.

http://bp2.blogger.com/_ZpDemc2otE8/RphOwWeb8YI/AAAAAAAAACE/S6ulY5xSzO0/s1600-h/m3.png

Konny @ Jul 16th 2007 1:04PM

lol .. do you expect them to put RCA, component output on the PSP?

Rask @ Jul 16th 2007 2:16PM

If they're gonna tout this as a major feature then yes, I expect the cable to be bundled with the unit.

Evan @ Jul 16th 2007 1:23PM

"The 1200mAh battery is rated at 3-6 hours, the same as the original PSP's 1800mAh battery"

How can a weaker battery last as long as the old battery? Is the LCD backlight weaker? Does the UMD spin slower? Or does the battery life depend on the increased RAM being used to reduce the disk activity (in which case the battery life will be shorter for older games that don't know how to use the 64MB)?

Crono @ Jul 16th 2007 1:28PM

Its probably a combination of things. More efficient LCD screen, more efficient back lighting, more efficient UMD motor. Its just the forward movement of technology. Newer components can perform the same job as older components at a lesser cost in both finances and power consumption. Its the same reason why the wii being "two gamecubes duct taped together", consumes a fraction of the power the GC does.

Hatch @ Jul 16th 2007 1:30PM

ok so the old remote wont work on the re-designed psp does that mean my Headset and mic I bought for Socom wont work iether?

TheWarden @ Jul 16th 2007 1:32PM

Here's something I have been meaning to ask:

Have the improved the diagonals on the d-pad?

Seriously, that has been my personal number one complaint of the PSP. It is atrociously difficult. 2-D fighters are impossible.

If they didn't improve this, I question Sony. Shame. Though video out is possibly worth the upgrade if games look acceptable...

Anyone has hands-on experience with d-pad diagonals and the redesign?

BPM @ Jul 16th 2007 1:54PM

Apparently, the digital buttons have all been improved. Not sure, though, if diagnals are easier to perform or not, though.

Phour ZwanZig @ Jul 16th 2007 1:44PM

Hey, is it just me.. They moved the speakers..??

Uchendu Nwachukwu @ Jul 16th 2007 2:35PM

Yes, the speakers are not on the front face next to the D-pad and action buttons. On the current PSP, the speakers are located along the bottom edge.

Steve 3.2 @ Jul 16th 2007 1:45PM

The differences between the original DS and the DS Lite were huge versus the evolutionary changes between the PSP and this new PSP 'Lite' -- or as I like to call it PSP 1.1.

The original DS design was cheap and ugly. The Lite improved the styling, things 'fit' better (i.e. the case closes completely), longer battery life, and brighter screens.

The PSP 1.1 is pretty much the same, but has some cool features for those who don't already own one. I don't see myself buying a second unit for these minor changes though.

SecretAgent @ Jul 16th 2007 3:22PM

So does anyone know if they're selling a white version w/out the Darth Vader graphic on the back? I haven't heard anywhere if you can just get a solid white or silver lite w/out stupid graphics on it.

Why do the american redesigns always have to add crap like that??

Leshrac @ Jul 16th 2007 2:47PM

Is it just me, or did someone at E3 absolutely say that the runtime for the new PSP would be a lot better than the old runtime? If it's still the same 3-6 hours, I'm not impressed, as this was a major detriment to the original PSP.

-Jeff
http://alinktothefuture.com

Nate @ Jul 16th 2007 4:11PM

Hey Jake, I meant that we'll have to pay (around) $20 for the TV-out cables...

sqwarlock @ Jul 16th 2007 4:27PM

Why is it that Sony doesn't understand the importance of including the necessary cables? Especially for the most touted feature of the new design. That's like saying, "Hey, we have HDMI output, but the cable for it? Yeah, that needs to be bought separately." Oh...wait...

ZRX @ Jul 16th 2007 6:19PM

I'll go for the new PSP ONLY if I have the option of getting a component or composite cable. Yeah, the quality isn't as good with composite but it gives many more options when away from home.

accidental @ Jul 16th 2007 7:27PM

The RAM upgrade lets games load faster right? So will new PSP games designed with 32mb RAM in mind – so that upgraded PSP owners will have the benefit of faster load times or... Will new PSP games be designed with 64mb RAM in mind so that old PSP owners will have to wait EVEN LONGER for their new games to load? Along with shorter battery life because of the full clock-speed processor now. I guess I'm going to have to play my PSP while plugged into the power socket more often from now on... or buy the new one =/

JonFitt @ Jul 17th 2007 10:19AM

The big question for me, is will this version be firmware locked in some cunning new way?

I can see myself buying one of these if my current PSP dies, but there's no reason to immediately upgrade like there was with the DS-DSLite (Screen brightness, and overall more adult look).

The extra RAM is a worry for existing owners though. IMHO if games are not designed differently then just adding more RAM won't increase load times. It just means that you'd be able to store more game content in RAM before needing to access the UMD, but current games are designed around this limitation.

Are we going to see games that require more RAM, or will future games just work better on the new model?