Which model PS2 is better?

FatCobra · Post by **FatCobra** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 5:54 pm

Which PS2 model is the better one? The old big one, or the new slim one?

The old one has a built-in fan and the bay for the hard drive, but there's also the rumors of hardware failures.

The slim one has a built-in modem and a flip-top lid, but there's no fan or hard drive support. Is the hardware better?

CIT · Post by **CIT** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 5:58 pm

I like the slim model better cuz it's small and compact, and I can take it back and forth between Japan and Europe.

No_not_like_Quake · Post by **No_not_like_Quake** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 6:21 pm

I have the new model after my older style one went all disc read error on me.

The lack of fan though.... can this thing overheat?

Oh and that damn disc open button... I dare you to get someone who isn't familiar with this console to find it.

theevilfunkster · Post by **theevilfunkster** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 6:38 pm

I dare anyone to push the butons on the slimline without pushing the whole console around the desk. That thing has no grips on the bottom of it. Still, looks nicer than the old one, especially my satin silver one.

Never really had any technical problems with either though, guess I've been lucky.

it290 · Post by **it290** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 6:47 pm

Old one, just because of the HDD support.

Specineff · Post by **Specineff** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 7:05 pm

Ditto.

superhitachi4 · Post by **superhitachi4** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 7:16 pm

As far as quality goes, they all suck in my opinion. WAY too many problems. If I had to choose however, I'd go with a later model old style.

Ceph · Post by **Ceph** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 8:28 pm

Yeah, it's kind of insane that you can't connect a HD to the slimline- they should at least have made it possible to connect an external USB hard drive.

JigsawMan · Post by **JigsawMan** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 9:09 pm

does the new one have a faster DVD drive? My 5 year old(ish) Jap PS2 needs replacing soon and I'll go for a slimline Jap one over the old style if the drive is any better.

Skyline · Post by **Skyline** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 9:19 pm

I'm gonna have to side with the good ol' SPCH-50001.

Why? Yesterday the damn thing fell completely off it's table (rather violently I might add) and it still works. That and HDD support.

FatCobra · Post by **FatCobra** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 10:13 pm

I ask this because I'm thinking about buying a used PS2, (with the console near the edge of its lifespan, I'm not willing to buy one new), but that's like buying an old used car, you don't know where it's been or how its previous owner handled it!

Anyone buy a used PS2 and have no problems with it?

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 10:46 pm

FatCobra wrote:Anyone buy a used PS2 and have no problems with it?

I bought a used JPS2 a year or two back (the older, thicker model) and so far, at least, it's worked fine. As you say above, you really can't tell where it's been or how it's been treated; some are almost like new, and others will break the day after you buy it. About the best you can do, if you get the chance, is ask the seller detailed questions regarding its condition, etc., and get as much info on it as you can out of him.

CMoon · Post by **CMoon** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 10:53 pm

Has everyone who writes about problems with the PS2 actually experienced problems with the PS2 themselves? I just wonder since I've never experienced any problems with mine nor do I know anyone who has had problems. I'm not saying those problems aren't out there, but sometimes the way people talk, it sounds like all ps2s are destined to self-destruct.

Specineff · Post by **Specineff** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:18 pm

FatCobra wrote:I ask this because I'm thinking about buying a used PS2, (with the console near the edge of its lifespan, I'm not willing to buy one new), but that's like buying an old used car, you don't know where it's been or how its previous owner handled it!

Anyone buy a used PS2 and have no problems with it?

After being burned on a "Like new" PS2, I bought a replacement from Gamestop.com. Which included a free Xenosaga, free shipping and 3 month warranty. EB games will also sell you used or refurbished ones, with the option of buying an extended warranty. So far, they work ok. Of course, the one from Gamestop runs games off the HDD. That laser doesn't see more than a few seconds of use every day.

Neon · Post by **Neon** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:31 pm

CMoon wrote:Has everyone who writes about problems with the PS2 actually experienced problems with the PS2 themselves? I just wonder since I've never experienced any problems with mine nor do I know anyone who has had problems. I'm not saying those problems aren't out there, but sometimes the way people talk, it sounds like all ps2s are destined to self-destruct.

I have a jps2 which I believe is a launch model and it works perfectly. However my roommate's (US, if it makes a difference) ps2 doesn't read dvds or even dvd games well anymore. Infamous disc read error. Anyways there are a few easy DIY fixes for DRE on the net so I wouldn't deny myself the awesomeness of Jps2 over worries about it working.

No experience with the newer models, but I think there is an external harddrive for them as well, which connects via the USB port.

iatneH · Post by **iatneH** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 12:00 am

I have two old-style PS2s.

One of them is abused with slide-tool + Swap Magic and is 3 or 4 years old.

The other is abused with a mod chip and gets heavy use, about 2 years old.

Both of them still run fine for me. Sure you hear a lot of stories of PS2s breaking, but that's maybe a few dozen stories from loud people, out of tens of millions of quiet people who haven't had any problems at all.

Ganelon · Post by **Ganelon** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 12:26 am

Skyline wrote:I'm gonna have to side with the good ol' SPCH-50001.

I definitely agree. There have been no widespread complaints about the SCPH-50k versions (with a "+" on the box and the extra format icon pictures on the PS2 case). They're sturdy and have no heating issues or DRE problems.

Nei First · Post by **Nei First** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 1:47 am

Ceph wrote:Yeah, it's kind of insane that you can't connect a HD to the slimline- they should at least have made it possible to connect an external USB hard drive.

It has been possible for a while now.

http://www.modchipstore.com/USB-eXtreme ... 16241.html

it290 · Post by **it290** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 1:57 am

Yeah, but USBExtreme/USBAdvance's compatibility is crap compared to HDLoader, not to mention using a USB HD is actually slower than loading from CD/DVD. It is possible to connect an IDE HD to the slimline, but it requires quite a bit of soldering.

FatCobra · Post by **FatCobra** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 4:37 pm

Specineff wrote:So far, they work ok. Of course, the one from Gamestop runs games off the HDD. That laser doesn't see more than a few seconds of use every day.

What do you mean by that? The HDD puts less stress on the laser by taking care of some of the loading? Or did they mod it?