PSP quality?

Jack B. Badd

I'm looking to buy a PSP and from what I can see the cheapest option seems to be to buy a US version online and then load up on games/memory cards/etc from Ebay or the like. As far as I'm aware the game compatibility is not an issue and the only real problems are that European/Japanese UMDs won't run in a US PSP and I won't be able to use the multiplayer option. Neither of these really worry me tbh.
What I am curious to find out is whether there's a significant difference between the hardware sold in the US and that sold to the European market. I'd prefer not to save money on buying a US model only to find out that it's cheaper because the hardware is of a lesser quality. Anyone have any info on this?

Conor108

I've no idea about hardware quality, but there shouldn't be any difference in quality just because you buy from the US (I think). Anyway depending on the type of motherboard the PSP has, you might be able to downgrade to a custom firmware and disable region codes so that you'll be able to play all UMDs (I think lol)

Jack B. Badd

Not to be rude but please don't post about UMD compatibility issues. I specifically mentioned that I'm not worried about UMD compatibility so that I wouldn't get a load of posts about that issue. I'm asking about the quality of the hardware. A response that begins with the phrase "I've no idea about hardware quality" is just a waste of time imo.
Sorry if I sound harsh but I'd prefer not to have to wade through loads of posts about this when I'm quite clearly interested in another issue entirely.

JoeJC

The state of you; if its such a big problem about mentioning UMD Capabilities then why did you bring it up in the first place? Chill out!

3rdDegree

I have no idea about hardware quality either. Sorry.

PS:

It would never have crossed my mind to think the PSP hardware is inferior in the States because it is cheaper. The reason it is cheaper outside Europe is because (according to the suppliers):

1. Tax
2. Higher expensis such as labour, shipping, etc.


The real reason:

1. Us muppets pay the extra
2. The muppets in the States and Japan refuse to pay the extra

Conor108

Ok sorry if i went a little off-topic with the UMD capability, just my 2 cents:)
But I'd say 3rdDegree is right and really the only difference in hardware between a US and EU console would be the type of motherboard you get. And like I said, there shouldn't be a difference. A PSPs a PSP

Jack B. Badd

That's what I thought but I came across a few sites online saying that there was a difference in the screens, Samsung making one batch and Sharp making the other. Figured I'd ask just in case anyone knew of a massive difference between them. I've been messing about with a mate's US version though and it seems fine so I'll probably just roll with that.

(And I don't mind the odd post off topic, but I had visions of millions of posts about the UMD compatibility and my original question getting completely hijacked!)

spidermonkey

that was the case with the earliest japanese batch, but if you back far enough along the production chain their suppliers are all the same anyway.

the only difference in psp's: black, white or pink and the firmware loaded onto them