So the manual isn't enough for you? Behold! The PS Vita has been subjected to a teardown, with every undignified part of it being snapped. It's pure geek porn.
The handheld console went on sale in Japan on Saturday, but that was more than long enough for Nikkei Electronics' Teardown Squad's curiosity to pique. They talk us through the process in the kind of cold terms we imagine a serial killer using while dismembering his victim. "Looking at the case of the console, we found some screws used on it... They did not seem to be special screws. So, we removed them with a screwdriver." Chilling.
We'll spare you some of the more mundane details of the whole seven-page extravaganza. In summary: the battery has a voltage of 3.7V and capacity of 2,210mAh, which is significantly larger than a normal smart phone battery; the PCBs are connected using thin metal plates, which is apparently unusual; and they had to buy a special T2 screwdriver (the last in the shop!) to remove the 3G module.
There are some pretty cool pictures of the insides though, including the wiring pattern for the touch panel on the back which they peeled off.
If you're eager to find out all you can about the handheld, Sony posted the entire English-language manual online, so you can get studying a full two months prior to the UK launch. A word of warning though: the console is locked to one account, so if you want to access your settings and media on someone else's, you'll have to insert your memory card and do a full factory reset. So best ask first.
Will you be buying a PS Vita come 22 February? Let us know below or on Facebook.
Image credit: Nikkei Tech-On
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Comments 5
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anonymous 19 December, 2011 13:49
Nope, too expensive and prob too many features to be bothered with. I'm sure a lot of people will love it, but i prefer my mobile gaming to be pretty straight forward.
Pinching things? Really? Can't we just use the tip of our finger and cut down on costs? And don't get me started about their special memory cards!! £100 for a 32gb? Pfft! Please!
anonymous 19 December, 2011 17:00
FACT:
At the moment PS Vita's mobile raw power, speed & game Play at $250.00,<br />
this baby ***** on the 3DS, iPhone 4S, iPad 2, or even the mighty Galaxy S 2.
By next year the only thing on par with this baby in power is the new Asus Transformer Prime Android tablet!
But at $250 this thing is a bargain!
Mugen13 19 December, 2011 20:41
I think the psp's problem was always its price. At 250 this handheld is a bragain. People will complain and i already see some, but there really is no merit. Shame on anyone who compares this thing to any cellphone, let alone the iphone. This handheld is capable of playing games inmersively enough to rival consoles. I am probably going to end up importing one from japan, can wait till february. If you arent in to this handheld chances are you are simply a casual gamer and dont need all these capabilities. Well done sony, you finally made what your consumers wanted
anonymous 21 December, 2011 04:30
For sure! My birthday is on the 23rd and thats when the preorders arrive in Australia. Have high hopes!
anonymous 22 December, 2011 16:37
Sounds like all the first poster wants is a weak cell phone that doesn't give any really deep/good games. Well I hope that he/she will be happy with that while I am enjoying my Vita next year.