Review: Sony PStwo Console

   Like the PSone before it, Sony decided to release a redesigned and much smaller PS2 console simply named the PStwo. Besides the new look & size, Sony was able to sneak in a few upgrades and changes on the redesigned model.
The first thing you'll notice upon opening the box is the size of the PStwo. While I had seen many pictures of it shown at actual size, you don't realize how small the system is until you see it for yourself. Measuring in at 9"x1"x6" (w/h/d), the system is not much bigger than a PS2 game case.
While the system is only 1/3 the size of the original PS2, the broadband and dial-up adapters are built right into the console. This is the nicest addition to the system, in my opinion, since you no longer have to deal with a bulky network adapter attached to the back of your console. 
A built-in IR receiver, for use with Sony's DVD remote, is also built into the console saving you the hassle of using a controller port for the external IR receiver. The most recent DVD drivers are included with the system and do not require a memory card to load from and operate. The most noticeable change is support for progressive-scan DVD movie playback and DVD-RW/+RW support.
The newer model also sports a flip-top lid (like the original PS1) instead of a motorized drive tray. I prefer this since games can be inserted and removed without powering on the system. Motorized drive trays also have a tendency to wear out after extended use.
The PStwo supports the same connections on the back of the console as the original PS2, including an Optical Digital Out connection. Missing is the On/Off power switch as the new console only has the On/Standby button on the front. To save space and reduce size, Sony also opted to use an external adapter. The Firewire port available on older PS2 systems has also been removed (The Firewire port was also removed from newer models of the older system). The two controller, memory card and USB ports all remain unchanged.
Upon firing up the console, you'll notice that it's noticeably quieter than the older system. Instead of hearing a roaring fan, the only noise coming from the PStwo will be the sound of the discs spinning and being read. Load times seem to be quicker although I have no proof of that. While Sony makes no mention of using a faster drive, it wouldn't surprise me if one was included. 
The PStwo does not come off as a cheaply built console despite the inexpensive price and changes/additions to the system. It looks and feels like a well-built system and comes with a 1-year warranty as opposed to the 90-day warranty included with previous systems. While it's too early to determine its reliability, I'd assume that Sony learned its lesson from their earlier consoles and worked hard to correct any problems from the past, mainly over-heating and disc-read errors.
There are some negatives to mention about the console. For starters, the PStwo does not support an add-on hard drive, so anyone interested in Final Fantasy XI or downloading SOCOM II maps may want to stick with their older system. A new multi-tap and vertical stand are both needed as the old ones will not fit. None of these issues bothered me and will probably not bother most people either. My only small gripe is that the Logitech Cordless controller receiver raises the front of the PStwo off the ground when plugged into the controller port. It doesn't affect its use but I'd like to see Logitech release an updated/smaller receiver for the PStwo (see image below).

Overall, I'm very satisfied with the PStwo. The one thing I didn't mention in the review is how great it looks. If you're buying your first PS2 console or looking to add a another one to you collection, you won't go wrong in picking up the PStwo.
Pros:

Very quiet 
Built-in NIC/modem 
Built-in DVD Remote Receiver 
Pop-up lid 
Seems faster 
Progressive scan DVD capability 
1-year warranty 
Looks great
Cons:

No firewire port 
External AC Adapter 
No hard-drive capability 
New multi-tap & vertical stand needed 
Logitech Cordless controller doesn't fit correctly
Final Grade: B+

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JasonSGN Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Admin Group Administrator Joined: 01-25-2006 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 6699	Post Options Post Reply Quote JasonSGN Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Review: Sony PStwo Console Posted: 01-25-2006 at 8:50pm
	Like the PSone before it, Sony decided to release a redesigned and much smaller PS2 console simply named the PStwo. Besides the new look & size, Sony was able to sneak in a few upgrades and changes on the redesigned model. The first thing you'll notice upon opening the box is the size of the PStwo. While I had seen many pictures of it shown at actual size, you don't realize how small the system is until you see it for yourself. Measuring in at 9"x1"x6" (w/h/d), the system is not much bigger than a PS2 game case. While the system is only 1/3 the size of the original PS2, the broadband and dial-up adapters are built right into the console. This is the nicest addition to the system, in my opinion, since you no longer have to deal with a bulky network adapter attached to the back of your console. A built-in IR receiver, for use with Sony's DVD remote, is also built into the console saving you the hassle of using a controller port for the external IR receiver. The most recent DVD drivers are included with the system and do not require a memory card to load from and operate. The most noticeable change is support for progressive-scan DVD movie playback and DVD-RW/+RW support. The newer model also sports a flip-top lid (like the original PS1) instead of a motorized drive tray. I prefer this since games can be inserted and removed without powering on the system. Motorized drive trays also have a tendency to wear out after extended use. The PStwo supports the same connections on the back of the console as the original PS2, including an Optical Digital Out connection. Missing is the On/Off power switch as the new console only has the On/Standby button on the front. To save space and reduce size, Sony also opted to use an external adapter. The Firewire port available on older PS2 systems has also been removed (The Firewire port was also removed from newer models of the older system). The two controller, memory card and USB ports all remain unchanged. Upon firing up the console, you'll notice that it's noticeably quieter than the older system. Instead of hearing a roaring fan, the only noise coming from the PStwo will be the sound of the discs spinning and being read. Load times seem to be quicker although I have no proof of that. While Sony makes no mention of using a faster drive, it wouldn't surprise me if one was included. The PStwo does not come off as a cheaply built console despite the inexpensive price and changes/additions to the system. It looks and feels like a well-built system and comes with a 1-year warranty as opposed to the 90-day warranty included with previous systems. While it's too early to determine its reliability, I'd assume that Sony learned its lesson from their earlier consoles and worked hard to correct any problems from the past, mainly over-heating and disc-read errors. There are some negatives to mention about the console. For starters, the PStwo does not support an add-on hard drive, so anyone interested in Final Fantasy XI or downloading SOCOM II maps may want to stick with their older system. A new multi-tap and vertical stand are both needed as the old ones will not fit. None of these issues bothered me and will probably not bother most people either. My only small gripe is that the Logitech Cordless controller receiver raises the front of the PStwo off the ground when plugged into the controller port. It doesn't affect its use but I'd like to see Logitech release an updated/smaller receiver for the PStwo (see image below). Overall, I'm very satisfied with the PStwo. The one thing I didn't mention in the review is how great it looks. If you're buying your first PS2 console or looking to add a another one to you collection, you won't go wrong in picking up the PStwo. Pros: Very quiet Built-in NIC/modem Built-in DVD Remote Receiver Pop-up lid Seems faster Progressive scan DVD capability 1-year warranty Looks great Cons: No firewire port External AC Adapter No hard-drive capability New multi-tap & vertical stand needed Logitech Cordless controller doesn't fit correctly Final Grade: B+