PS2 vs thinner PS2

Post by **RogueIce** » 2004-12-01 01:29am

I've been wondering, seeing commercials for the thin PS2 out there.

Is there any difference between it and it's big brother? Does it get better graphics? Lack features? Gain features? Or is it the same thing just thinner?

Datana · Post by **Datana** » 2004-12-01 01:41am

Same thing, but thinner and incompatible with the current PS2 hard drive (though a new one is supposedly in the works). It also incorporates an IR port and network adaptor out of the box, IIRC, both of which were optional attachments on the original.

Vohu Manah · Post by **Vohu Manah** » 2004-12-01 01:51am

Don't know where you are hearing that a new HDD unit is in the works. SCEJ and SCEA have both stated that one is not in the works, and anyone interested in the HDD should purchase an older model.

Pcm979 · Post by **Pcm979** » 2004-12-01 01:54am

What's the advantages of a HDD?

Post by **RogueIce** » 2004-12-01 01:59am

If it's incompatible with the current PS2 hardrive, what does that mean? Current PS2/PS1 games won't work on it?

Praxis · Post by **Praxis** » 2004-12-01 02:03am

Disadvantage: It's incompatible with the hard drive for PS2, because it does not have the slot for it. The hardware is exactly the same, though.

Advantages: It has the Network Adapter built in (!) so you don't have to pay extra for internet, it's skinnier, and it doesn't have that flimsy tray anymore that I couldn't stand (instead copying the GameCube's popup top).

Praxis · Post by **Praxis** » 2004-12-01 02:04am

Pcm979 wrote:What's the advantages of a HDD?

Some games require it. And if you want to install Linux...

Gerard_Paloma · Post by **Gerard_Paloma** » 2004-12-01 02:05am

The older, bigger PS2 had a slot for the expansion HDD that comes with Final Fantasy XI. The newer, smaller PS2, having no slot, doesn't and can't use the HDD. The new PS2 plays all PS2 and PS1 games right out of the box, except for FFXI, since it requires the HDD.

So bottom line: if you're interested in playing FFXI, get an older PS2. Otherwise, there's really no reason not to get the new slim version.

Pcm979 · Post by **Pcm979** » 2004-12-01 02:06am

Why the F*ck would I want to install Linux? That's what PCs are for.

Ah well, off to the bargain bin to find an original PS2.

Editation: Surely there's more to it than just support for one game?

Praxis · Post by **Praxis** » 2004-12-01 02:18am

Pcm979 wrote:Why the F*ck would I want to install Linux? That's what PCs are for.

Ah well, off to the bargain bin to find an original PS2.

Editation: Surely there's more to it than just support for one game?

Nope, just the one game, and only because of the lack of hard drive port.

Install Linux? Uh, no real reason, except because you can

I haven't bothered to do it on a console, but I think I'm going to install Linux on my Nintendo DS so I can use it as a PDA. But there's no real reason to put it on a PS2, except as a server

Why go for original PS2? The new one is the same price as the old one was, and includes the network adapter as well. I'd get the new one.

Pcm979 · Post by **Pcm979** » 2004-12-01 02:20am

Well, for a start because the price has freakin' doubled on the new one due to Xmastime.

Gerard_Paloma · Post by **Gerard_Paloma** » 2004-12-01 02:51am

Pcm979 wrote:Well, for a start because the price has freakin' doubled on the new one due to Xmastime.

What? Really? *does a few quick searches* Well, it seems that they're bundling stuff like a second controller, a memory card, and games (and obviously raising the price above 150 bucks), but you can still get a standard PS2 +1 controller for 149.99 from BestBuy, and presumably other local electronic stores.

Pcm979 · Post by **Pcm979** » 2004-12-01 02:55am

The thing is, I'm moving to the UK, where they use PAL. I already have a perfectly good PS2, except it won't work on games I get there.

Datana · Post by **Datana** » 2004-12-01 03:31am

Vohu Manah wrote:Don't know where you are hearing that a new HDD unit is in the works. SCEJ and SCEA have both stated that one is not in the works, and anyone interested in the HDD should purchase an older model.

Last I had heard, it was some sort of external enclosure unit that attached via cable, but that was some time ago and might not be applicable anymore. I definitely recall having read an article on it, though. Well, it's not of much use; the only game that outright required it was FFXI, and all of the games which used it optionally (Xenosaga, Star Ocean 3, etc.) had the option in Japan only, with the feature dummied out in the U.S. and Europe.

andrewgpaul · Post by **andrewgpaul** » 2004-12-01 08:59am

Depending on when you move to the UK, you might have trouble getting hold of a new PS2; they're like gold dust at the moment.

As I understand it, there were three models of PS2:
The original one;
An updated version of the large style, with DVD+-RW playback and a built-in IR port (between the restart and eject buttons), that was also available in silver for a while;
The small one - same features as the newer big one, plus built-in network adapter and no support for the HDD.

Pcm979 · Post by **Pcm979** » 2004-12-01 09:01am

Wow, prices have really plummeted on Amazon.co.uk just now. I think I'll seize the opportunity.

I expect to be there by the 14th, albeit in temporary accomodation.

Zac Naloen · Post by **Zac Naloen** » 2004-12-01 09:07am

Yeh, none of the shops over here have the new PS2, they literally all sold out first day.

Tech^salvager · Post by **Tech^salvager** » 2004-12-01 10:41am

Linux is for development mainly on the PS2. The PS2 uses a mips cpu.

Sharp-kun · Post by **Sharp-kun** » 2004-12-01 10:46am

RogueIce wrote:If it's incompatible with the current PS2 hardrive, what does that mean? Current PS2/PS1 games won't work on it?

Only the tiny amount of games that need the HDD.

Duken · Post by **Duken** » 2004-12-01 11:09am

Praxis wrote:and it doesn't have that flimsy tray anymore that I couldn't stand (instead copying the GameCube's popup top).

Or the PSX/PS1 popup tops

I'd say go for either of the new ones over a pre-own.

Tech^salvager · Post by **Tech^salvager** » 2004-12-01 11:11am

Duken wrote:
Praxis wrote:and it doesn't have that flimsy tray anymore that I couldn't stand (instead copying the GameCube's popup top).
Or the PSX/PS1 popup tops

I'd say go for either of the new ones over a pre-own.

The PSX dosen't have a popup top I think. I believe its slot loaded but not sure

Vohu Manah · Post by **Vohu Manah** » 2004-12-01 11:49am

Datana wrote:Last I had heard, it was some sort of external enclosure unit that attached via cable, but that was some time ago and might not be applicable anymore. I definitely recall having read an article on it, though. Well, it's not of much use; the only game that outright required it was FFXI, and all of the games which used it optionally (Xenosaga, Star Ocean 3, etc.) had the option in Japan only, with the feature dummied out in the U.S. and Europe.

Gamespot Rumor Control wrote:When the slim-downed unit was revealed, keen-eyed observers asked, "Where's the hard-disk drive bay?" We posed the question to Sony, which confirmed that the new unit would not have an HDD bay. However, Sony assured gamers that the lack of an HDD bay "was not a sign of Sony Computer Entertainment's change in philosophy regarding the hard-disk drive" and that the company is looking into "other memory options." So where does that leave PS2 players of Final Fantasy XI, which requires the HDD? According to Sony, there's no problem, because "consumers who want and use the hard-disk drive are typically the more hard-core gamers, and with more than 27 million PlayStation 2 units already sold in North America, we feel that a majority of those HDD-interested consumers already have their PlayStation 2 units." However, a statement by FFXI producer Hiromichi Tanaka to a British game site didn't sound nearly as upbeat. "We're still preparing, and looking into perhaps even changing platforms, because once the PlayStation 2 is phased out, [the FFXI] population will have to move somewhere," he said.

+http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/09/25 ... 08839.html

The people behind HDLoader have been looking into an USB Hard Drive solution for it's product. It should be noted that unless Sony is planning a solution for an external HDD that uses a memory card port, their only other solution may be USB as well (which is going to suck if the PSTwo shipped with USB 1.1 ports).

Anarchist Bunny · Post by **Anarchist Bunny** » 2004-12-01 12:37pm

Resident Evil:Outbreak also requires the HDD IIRC.

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2004-12-01 04:38pm

you are correct and since Sarah, Roo and I are all Final Fantasy addicts....

we're waiting to be able to buy three copies...

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2004-12-01 04:40pm

what's probably scarier is they have already decided what character I have to play...