FAQ Roundup - PSP vs PSP Slim

Since PSP Slim hit the shelves, many users are asking themselves is it worth the upgrade, and will new PSP Slim fulfill their expectations. Many questions plague the PSP fans around the globe. Are new features of PSP Slim worth it? Is new PSP Slim better at this and that? Does PSP Slim contain everything Sony really says? So in order to clear up most of the indecision, we decided to make a compiled list of frequent questions asked about PSP Slim, and it’s differences to it’s older brother - the PSP.

If you are interested in technical comparison of both devices head to our Technical specification comparison - PSP vs PSP Slim. We have also added an insight to How did PSP Slim loose weight compared to PSP? which you can also check out.

Are there new features?

Thanks to new firmware, PSP Slim is now able to charge through USB cable, output display to TV, display more different backgrounds - 27 in total.

What firmware version ships with PSP Slim?

New PSP Slim features firmware version 3.6.

Does PSP Slim really have more memory than PSP?

Yes. PSP Slim features a double amount of NAND memory - a total of 64MB.

Has the loading time from UMD improved on PSP Slim, due to double amount of memory?

Changes in loading time are apparently insignificant. Some games performed slightly better and some even slightly worse. PSP Slim outperforms PSP in loading time in the matter of just a few seconds.

[UPDATE 16-Sept-2007]: Please see the new test results report …

Has the loading time from memory card improved on PSP Slim, due to double amount of memory?

No, loading times are identical.

Can Internet Browser use PSP Slims double amount of memory for page loading?

No, you will still get error message “There is not enough memory” when trying to open large websites on your PSP Slim.

Are there different options for TV output?

Yes. Options for TV output include 16:9 and 4:3 modes, progressive or interlaced.

Is it true that picture is framed when you output a game to the TV on the PSP Slim?

Unfortunately yes. Unlike the XMB and movie output which use up whole TV screen, games use up about 70% of the TV screen making them framed.

What’s the quality of the TV output on the PSP Slim?

Both games and movies have impressive image quality, although movies preform somewhat less in terms of quality compared to DVDs.

Are video output cables included in the PSP Slim bundle.

No. Video output cables will be sold separately from the PSP Slim.

Does new PSP Slim support 640×480 video?

No. Unfortunately not.

Is ghosting effect still present while watching videos as the PSP?

Yes, ghosting effect is still there.

Is PSP Slim, really slimmer?

Changes in the appearance of PSP Slim are not that apparent but the change in it’s weight is. PSP Slim really does feel lighter than PSP since it has lost 33% in it’s weight and 19% in thickness.

Are the buttons on PSP Slim improved in any way?

Actually - yes. Buttons have slightly more resistance, and stick out somewhat more from the body of the PSP Slim, making them better to the touch of the finger.

Is the UMD quieter on the PSP Slim than on PSP?

Not significantly. Even though UMD loading dock has been changed, UMD noise seem less frequent but it’s still there in the same noise as before.

Has the volume of the speakers been improved?

No. Speakers on new PSP Slim have been moved more to the top of the device, instead of being close to the bottom, but the volume has not been significantly modified.

Has the volume of the headphones been improved?

No. Unfortunately headphones still cannot output loud volume as much as most of us would want.

Are there any changes to the headphones and remote on the PSP Slim?

No, PSP Slim features identical headphones and remote as the PSP.

Has WiFi been improved on PSP Slim?

Apparently not in general. Both PSP Slim and PSP have range of approximately 30 feet from the WiFi Access Point, and downloading times seems almost identical. Although, PSP Slim features a 2 second advantage on RSS downloads.

Are there changes in battery life time on the PSP Slim?

PSP Slim features new slimmer batteries with reduced power, but since PSP slim also features reduced power drain, battery life will feature somewhat longer times.

Are there changes in battery charge time on the PSP Slim?

Since PSP Slim features new slimmer batteries with reduced power, charge time will be somewhat faster.

How long is the USB battery charge time?

Approximately 5 hours.

Are the batteries from the PSP compatible with the PSP Slim?

They are, but since PSP Slims changed dimensions, old batteries will stick out of the device and you will not be able to close the battery cover. PSP Slim features new slimmer batteries.

Are the fingerprints still visible?

Yes, although the coating on the PSP Slim is somewhat better you’ll still get fingerprints on the device and the screen.

Is it possible to play music while viewing a slideshow on the PSP Slim?

No. When you enter a different part of the XMB, your music will stop just like it did on PSP.

So there you have it. Those are the differences between PSP Slim and the “old” PSP. Is it worth the upgrade? If you want a sleeker PSP with option to play games on the TV, yes. If you’re not so tough on 33% more weight and you play your games mostly out of the reach of TV, you will not get much. We’ll wait some more to see what Sony has it in the bag for the next PSP release, or simply till our PSPs break, and then head out and buy PSP Slim.

We have manged to compile this FAQ list thanks to Joystiq and C|Net reviews of PSP Slim.