PSP price: 19,800 YEN! ($185.48); battery life: 4-6 hours

[A Black Falcon]

October 27, 2004 - This is it. The one piece of information we've all been waiting for. Sony Computer Entertainment has at last managed to mention the word "battery" with regards to the PSP and follow that up with solid numbers.

In the words of the company, "PSP features an integrated high output lithium-ion battery that provides a play time of between 4 and 6 hours for game titles and continuous 4 to 5 hours for video viewing." These numbers, according to SCE, were determined with the system's luminance set to maximum (180 cd/m2) and minimum (80 cd/m2), volume set to half the maximum level, headphones used instead of speakers and wireless LAN not in use (note that the maximum luminance value rises to 200 cd/m2 when playing through AC power).

While SCE did not provide details on how much of a hit LAN play would bring about, it's good to at last have an idea of how long we'll be able to play games and watch movies on the PSP. Plus, extra batteries cost just about $45, so doubling the available time (if you're willing to carry a spare with you) could be an legitimate option.

All that's left now is to get the system in our hands and start checking these numbers out for ourselves. With PSP now launching to Japan on 12/12, the wait won't be too long (if you plan on importing, as we do).

The details:

1) movies: 4-5 hours
2) games: 4-6 hours
The Catch: A) hour count range stated depends on luminosity. 4 with maximum, 6 with minimum. B) half volume is the only level tested. Max it and it will drop. C) Headphones tested, not built in speaker (which probably would drop it a bit) and D) wireless LAN not enabled.

So the battery life is a bit higher than I expected, but still could cause problems for Sony. Especially if some games that tax the system more actually don't last that long... no, this isn't that far above what I was saying. It is above it, but not dramatically. The price though... that is surprising. Lower than I expected. Just one note there -- like usual, I expect Sony to go on a 1 to 1 basis and have it be $200 in the US. It won't be $185.

Oh yeah, and remember, you'll need a memory card too, right? Add like $25. :)

As for this vs. the DS, Nintendo has the noticable advantage of coming out with it in the US earlier. Isn't the PSP coming out next year here? DS comes out in the US even before it launches in Japan...

Oh yeah, and one more thing. I'm dissapointed with what the DS's battery life ended up as too.