What are the views on this and do we know when it willl be on sale in UK ?

Dixons website revealed yesterday that they were expecting to fulfill orders in August, rather than the official June date - suggesting the UK launch has slipped back again.
It's apparently a very good device though.
I have no real need for one at the moment, but may re-evaluate when it's successor comes out.

It's got a Sony sticker on the box, therefore it'll sell like hotcakes based on that alone never mind the fact of whether it's actually any good or not.

It's like a portable PS2 apparently, with similar games etc, however I read somewhere that it does have issues with battery life so if you get one be prepared to spend a fortune on Duracells unless you can get rechargeables.

There's a fairly detailed review here http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/02/01/review_sony_psp/

Battery is a rechargeable pack (user replaceable so you can carry a few with you) and the reviewer reckons you'll get about 3.5hrs out of it.

Came back from NYC a week ago and was fortunate enough to play on one and it is a portable ps2. it is rather lightweight, with a huge screen (when compared to devices like the DS). The only problem is that we are gonna get ripped off for it compared to the states who are paying $250 + about 10% tax (dont you think that this makes VAT look like a right rip off) for each unit (approx £150).
Why is it that things like this cost so much over here?
The selection of games that was released was very good as well, but I have just bought a DS so I will wait to see if the price drops a little.
One more thing, they were impossible to get hold of, I went in every computer store that I could find and they were all sold out. Also I found out that it is all region locked as the games that were being sold had the region 1 sticker on it. We are in region 2, which is the UK, Europe and Japan I think (dont quote me on that one).

The PS2 mag that I read has a PSP whih was given to them, they also metioned the issues with battery life but it didn't seem like anyhting major. As handheld consoles go by graphics it is by far the best as the graphics are frighteningly close to that of a PS2. Using the UMD disk( basicaly a disk Sony made to hold the data for games, about 1.3Gb) you can connect the PSP to the comptuter and transfer films or anything else really. The films can be watched on the PSP. Another major feature is the wireless multiplayer gameplay, although I'm not sure what it is (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth etc..) it can easily connect people over distances of around 15m, through walls and floors.

In my opinion it's not bad at all, but I wouldn't bother trying to get it immediatly, wait for the price to drop, and the shops to get some more stock!:D

Originally posted by Viper_GTSR
The PS2 mag that I read has a PSP whih was given to them, they also metioned the issues with battery life but it didn't seem like anyhting major. As handheld consoles go by graphics it is by far the best as the graphics are frighteningly close to that of a PS2. Using the UMD disk( basicaly a disk Sony made to hold the data for games, about 1.3Gb) you can connect the PSP to the comptuter and transfer films or anything else really. The films can be watched on the PSP. Another major feature is the wireless multiplayer gameplay, although I'm not sure what it is (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth etc..) it can easily connect people over distances of around 15m, through walls and floors.

In my opinion it's not bad at all, but I wouldn't bother trying to get it immediatly, wait for the price to drop, and the shops to get some more stock!:D

I agree, however if your wondering what WIFI and Bluetooth is then:-
Bluetooth is a shortwave wireless signal that is primarily used for file sharing, most commonly used for mobile phones.
WIFI is a wireless signal mainly used for networking as it has a larger broadcast radius. the most common frequencies are 802.11b and 802.11g. b is the slower of the two, transferring at 11bps and g transfers at a rate of 54bps (approx 5 times faster). I am pretty sure that the PSP will access the internet via a WIFI connection at 802.11b (11bps) but I dont know wheither it will use bluetooth for file sharing.

From the info I've gleaned from the net it will have 802.11b only, for all wireless activities.

I thought so, good news for me anyway for the wireless hotspots and next doors wireless network with broadband connection ;) lol

I think i'll stick with my DS, alot cheaper (amazon says psp is gonna cost £179.99) and it has already provided me with hours of entertainment...
The psp looks like a really nice machine but i am refusing to buy 1 as I dont like sony... they always releace average products, stick their name on it and charge the world for it. (ps2 was the weakest console releaced, most expencive, unorigional and imo the most ugly console ever. but sony slapped their name on it and out sold all they other decent origional console) ughh im keeping out of this 1 as sony topics always get me all worked up.

Originally posted by Craigy
...as sony topics always get me all worked up.

lol sounds like me & Intel...

Guy who works near me has had a PSP shipped over from US, I've never been into consoles but OMG I WANT ONE!!!

I've been thinking about getting a ds or psp but I'm still not sure which to go for, the psp sounds better but it could all just be hype, also I heard that the PSP has problems with battery life and dead pixels.. any comments out there from those that have actually used one?

Has anyone actually read the review in a post above?

Originally posted by Dan46
I've been thinking about getting a ds or psp but I'm still not sure which to go for, the psp sounds better but it could all just be hype, also I heard that the PSP has problems with battery life and dead pixels.. any comments out there from those that have actually used one?

if you read that review posted on here u'll find out that they got 1 with some dead pixels. Yea they say that the battery is a little weak so u have to buy a few to last on long trips.

I have seen an imported PSP and I must say I was very impressed with its performance. The resolution was brilliant and the build quality very very good with a glossy black and brushed aluminium effect.
Watching The Lord Of the Rings on the unit was an eye opener too, big bright colourful display nothing like any other handeld gaming device I have seen.
The lad who's machine it is seems to be permenantly glued to it now.

Originally posted by Dan46
I've been thinking about getting a ds or psp but I'm still not sure which to go for, the psp sounds better but it could all just be hype, also I heard that the PSP has problems with battery life and dead pixels.. any comments out there from those that have actually used one?

I have a DS and that has just as many problems with dead pixels, but if you get any, then you can just replace the machine

i thought that sony didnt allow replacing dead pixeled ones unless there were more than 10 dead? while nintendo replaced no hassle... or thats what i heard atleast. my ds came perfect :clap:

i would b surprised if it was as many as 10, considerin the screen size. TFT screens for computers are replaced for less than that. Also, mine did come with a dead pixel, my ds that is, but i just cant be bothered to get it replaced because i would have to claim on the warranty as a result of buying in the US. It doesnt bother me that much.

ok i was wrong... "According to an email allegedly sent out by the online retailer, Video Games Plus, Sony will not replace dead pixels in the PSP’s LCD screen. The malfunction is not under warranty"
no matter how many u have ur stuck with 'em.

wow, i am surprised by that, however I think that if you buy it from a store on the high street, they might replace it for you just so that they can avoid any bad publicity, especially if it is an independant retailer. Like a smaller version of playtime.

yea i think thats what it will be like, i think this place sums it up pretty much Link (http://www.firstadopter.com/fa/archives/000759.html)

Originally posted by AJ sheffield
I have seen an imported PSP and I must say I was very impressed with its performance. The resolution was brilliant and the build quality very very good with a glossy black and brushed aluminium effect.
Watching The Lord Of the Rings on the unit was an eye opener too, big bright colourful display nothing like any other handeld gaming device I have seen.
The lad who's machine it is seems to be permenantly glued to it now.

how much did customs and excise charge you to import it?

Originally posted by Craigy
ok i was wrong... "According to an email allegedly sent out by the online retailer, Video Games Plus, Sony will not replace dead pixels in the PSP’s LCD screen. The malfunction is not under warranty"
no matter how many u have ur stuck with 'em.

That's outrageous, it can't be true, surely if it's got a completely buggered screen you would have a case. I suspect they are really only talking about a small amount of dead pixels (although that's too many IMHO).

I bought both, Sony PSP and Nintendo DS on their respective Japanese and US realese dates last year ( cost me a fortune, paid over £600 for PSP plus all the games from Japan, Then got stung by customs :/ ).
I must admit i fell in love with the PSP straight away, but i felt that if i treated like a handheld and took it out with me, it would be broken within a week. So the PSP sat on my desk. Kind of defeats the point of having a handheld. The DS however is cheaper, and little more robust and portable. Ive dropped it a few times, still works! :)

hehe love my ds more than ever now, just bought yoshi touch and go and it just shows all the new genre of games that are now possible. Game is still a bit short tho.

pJay- yea my DS has been on the floor enough times and lives in my college bag which is always being thrown around so it does everything I need and is plenty portable.

+ I got a really good small carry wallet thingy free with the Nintendo Official Magazine, the mag is rubbish tbh but its worth the £3.99 just for the case. :clap: