I received an angry letter today from someone who's probably wound a little too tight. Here's my reply, his words are in red.
Hiya. Thanks for your email.
> Anyways, about the unit itself. First of all, the PSP isn't a
> shrunken PSOne. Are you kidding me? It's damn near a PS2 -- just
> take a look at the specs and the numbers it pushes (polygons/sec,
I never made this claim. I quote: "They waited until they could
shoehorn near-PS2 quality hardware into the portable system..."
> Yes, the unit is a finger print magnet. However, your claims about
> absolute fragility to the point that the unit "will get tiny
> scratches within the first day" is absolute nonsense. What kind of ape
> is going to manhandle the PSP to the point that this
That the system doesn't stand up to abuse isn't my point, rather that the
silly style over function mentality at Sony leaves us with a machine that
will show all the damage far more clearly than any other console. There's
a reason no other console before it has been glossy, nor any controller
been glossy black. It's a boneheaded idea.
> $13 PDA cleaner kit with microfiber cloth can keep the PSP clean
Now, see, here's my problem: I don't believe consumer electronics
should be so fragile. Yes, sure you can accommodate it. I could
seal it in concrete and it'll stay pristine forever, but I want my
gear to withstand me. I don't buy games like a lifestyle membership card,
I'm not going to take extra steps beyond the basics to protect my
hardware. I've never done it before, why should I forgive Sony for making
me do it now?
> Others will not be so careful, I'm sure. This is not a toy for
> kids, that's for sure.
I'm an adult. I refuse to baby my gear. I leave CDs on the counter.
I shove cartridges into my pocket. I throw the DS into a bag for a quick
trip. I have no way to carry a UMD without the original case, it's
fucking stupid design. The PSP itself is the single most fragile portable
system I can recall. There's no reason for this except style. Screw
style, I'm in it for the games.
> UMD media. First of all, both my PSPs don't have the odd tray
> problem you described. The seals are perfect and they function
OK, here's the next stage to this argument: Why are there so many
drives that ARE weird? My success rate is two out of three, I have
the same ratio for flawed buttons and D-pads. Even if I'm so unlucky
there are plenty of other people experiencing the same thing. If Sony
can't make them to the proper tolerance they should make them to
accommodate the intolerance.
> Hello! Who the hell twists their electronics? Unbelievable.
Sure, the first time the guy was wringing it like a washcloth. My
guess is that he probably had it accidentally happen 'cause, again,
there's a huge variance in quality levels from one PSP to another.
> a sliding cover like mini-discs, but look at the PSP...there is
> only so much room to pack in more mechanisms.
Don't be silly. Have you seen Sony's smallest MD players? The
reason, again, is style. Sony wanted sexy curvy UMD cases, screw the
consequences. I don't see this as something you can seriously debate.
> If there was a sliding protector, you people would still find
> something else to complain about.
"you people", you say, as if there's something wrong with demanding
changes for the betterment of the world.
> I suggest practicing ha
This was cut off. I have no idea what I should be practicing.
> It's a multimedia convergence device and it seeks to piggyback on
> the powerful playstation brand name and base in order to establish
> a new marketplace.
If this was true I think it'd have been released by Sony, not SCE,
like the PSX and other media players.
> Going with the UMD and pro duo memory is a no-brainer. Sony seeks
> proprietary tech because it keeps everything under the same roof,
> its easier to develop for, economies of scale (cheaper),
> and helps with preventing piracy.
You've gone off the deep end here. SD cards are the de-facto
standard for portable devices. Most cellular phones and small
cameras use them. I think what you meant to say was "Sony makes more
money licensing them to other companies when there's more market demand."
How many other 'media devices' use this format? They don't - they use SD
cards because they want customers to buy their hardware over the
competition.
> That is all.
Let's get one more thing clear: I have a PSP. I bought it yesterday, in
fact, and I've been playing the shit out of it. Ridge Racers and Lumines
are two hella compelling titles, and I bought the PSP, against my better
judgement, to play them. My drive door closes almost flush, and my
buttons work fine. I have one bad pixel, which you probably didn't notice
I didn't even remark on in my review.
1. It's a fingerprint magnet, which is bad.
2. It's completely unprotected up front, which is bad.
3. It shows every mark, which is bad.
4. The UMDs are partially protected, which is bad.
5. SD cards are more popular but not as profitable for Sony.
These are indisputable facts, the only thing you can take issue with is
how much each one affects and bothers you personally. This is now a
subjective issue, and I have to wonder, are you intent on telling me your
opinion is different? Will you dare insist that these things, if fixed,
would not be better for the PSP in any sense but style?
Sincerely,
Lawrence.
