Sony PS2 (Slim Factor)

1.1 inches tall
23 inches wide
6 inches deep
You would think it’s a books’ dimensions I’m talking about. The new revamped version of the best selling game console ever just went on a diet and did lose the pounds but none of its power.

The feat was done by putting the power source externally, much like what you see on laptops. Another redesign for this miniaturization is the disc tray, instead of sliding it out; it’s a pop up onto a spindle, similar to the original PS. It retains the ability to be mounted on its side or on its belly. Though compact, all the needed inputs still found their respective places, two Memory Card slots, two controller ports, two USB ports, and power and disc-eject buttons. It also includes an infrared receiver to control your CD/DVD functions using any of the available remotes without sacrificing one of the ports, which was one of the drawbacks of the old PS2 design. A built in 56Kbps modem jack and an Ethernet port makes online games all the more easier as opposed to the older version that you need to add on or buy an external Online Adapter accessory.

Being slimmer than its older brother is, it is almost identical to it in all factors besides their dimension off course. Retaining whatever its predecessor did and no new significant features to make you drool and run out of your house and buy the first console you find, the new PS2 seems only a precursor or a breather before the release of their new brother the PS3. Almost all the titles on the PS2 and the original PS are compatible with it. A major draw back to this newer version is that you cannot upgrade it to add on a hard disk that works with older consoles. The good news is that there is only one title that requires this upgrade (Final Fantasy XI, with which it's bundled with). Also fans of multiplayer games would fine it a major turn off that the Multitap is one of the only accessories that will not work with the redesigned console. If it is all the same, you can go out and buy a new one.

The PS2 does not really offer anything new, only “oohs” and “ahhs” for its redesign and miniaturization. But if you truly are a fan or a collector, this ones for you, and I’m betting this would not last out in the market and its resale value would surely hit the roof once they’ve recalled this clone of a perfect game console.

Sony PlayStation 2 (slim form factor) specifications

General

Name: Sony PlayStation 2
Type: Game console
Weight: 31.7 oz
Color: Charcoal black
Height: 1.1 in
Width: 9.1 in
Depth: 6 in
Media Type: CD-ROM, DVD-ROM

Type: Toshiba & Sony Emotion Engine 294.9 MHz
Data Width: 128 bit
Floating Point Performance: 6.2 GFLOPS
Instruction set: RISC

RAM installed size: 32 MB
Cache size: 40 KB

Video Output: 128-bit 2D/3D graphics acceleration
Video RAM installed: 4 MB  
Supported Video: NTSC
Max resolution (external): 1280 x 1024
Graphic Effects: Fog effects, Texture lighting
Fill Rate: 150 million pixels/sec

RAM technology
RDRAM (RAMBUS)

Sound Memory: 2 MB
Sound Output Mode: Stereo
Max sample rate: 48 KHz
MIDI Channels Qty: 48

Input device type: Game pad
Features: Vibration, Pressure sensitivity

Total free slots: 2

Operational power consumption: 45 Watt
Battery: None
Power device frequency required: 50/60 Hz
Voltage Required: 50/60 Hz

Input/Output connections: 2 x USB (4 pin USB Type A), 1 x Network (RJ-45), 1 x Phone line (RJ-11), 2 x Game controller (9 pin in line), 1 x Composite video/audio output (TOS Link), 1 x SPDIF output, DC power input

Cable(s) Included: 1 A/V cable