Sony PSP: First impressions

So how long does that battery really last? We check out the inner workings of Sony's new handheld.

The launch of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s (SCEI) PSP (PlayStation Portable) on Sunday has finally given us a chance to put the machine through its paces. While it will be some time before all of its features are given a thorough testing and its quirks identified, the initial reaction is positive.

Everything about the PSP indicates quality, solid manufacturing and a value far beyond its 20,000 yen (US $200) retail price. Analysts have speculated that Sony is losing several hundred dollars on each machine, something that Nintendo has said it is not doing with its recently launched 15,000 yen Nintendo DS handheld device.

Even the packaging of the PSP is well designed. An inner cardboard assembly holds the power adapter and cables in separate compartments and unfolds, the way any good present should, to reveal the treasure inside.

The device fits comfortably in the hands--in larger male hands, at least. Its layout, with control buttons on the right and a directional control pad and "analog" pad on the left, means it should be instantly familiar to anyone who has played a PlayStation or PlayStation 2.

The display is sharp and crisp and the handful of games released Sunday make good use of the bright, 4.3-inch widescreen LCD, with graphics that sometimes seem to glow. It also responded quickly to commands, and didn't notice any glitches or problems with the images displayed.

The main criticism if any would probably be its weight. At 280 grams including the battery the device feels a little on the heavy side at first, but wasn't noticeably during play.

One of the questions asked most often has been about battery life. This surfaced after representatives at the Sony booth at the Tokyo Game Show said they were getting about 2 hours of use from a full charge. Sony later said the battery life should be between 4 hours and 5 hours, so all eyes have been on this specification, which is particularly crucial for a portable device.

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