The PlayStation 4 unveiling blew our collective socks off, and Shuhei Yoshida has continued with his excellent policy of engaging with fans on twitter since then, but sometimes you just want a big sheet of facts printed on it.
Luckily this has come out alongside the conference, and we can dive in to find a few extra little details about the machine:
- In terms of storage, we’ll see a 500GB Hard disk drive, which @yosp has since confirmed is replaceable.
- Preliminary dimensions, for those with a ruler handy, are 275x53x305mm (width x height x length). That makes it slightly smaller than the PS3 Slim, and incredibly close to the PS3 Super Slim!
- Those craving USB ports will be disappointed to see that there are just two USB 3.0 ports on the front. The PlayStation Camera uses the dedicated AUX port on the back.
- The PS4 misses out on the very latest wireless standards, but 802.11 n and Bluetooth 2.1 (EDR) are plenty to handle wireless duties. There’s also Ethernet for cable lovers.
- Analogue is dead, as the sole outputs come in the form of HDMI and digital optical audio. That means no more Component video, and as with the PS3, HDCP may preclude external means of recording game footage. Lucky they have a ‘Share’ button.
- Included in the box you will get a PS4, a DS4, a mono headset, power cord, HDMI cable and USB cable.
- That means the PlayStation Camera will be an additional expense, and it’s priced at $59, €49 and £44. Clearly that has helped to bring the cost of the main console down, but we’ll see how that affects support and integration in games.
- Additional DualShock 4 controllers will set you back an eye-watering $59, €59 and £54, thanks to a totally different exchange rate being in use.
- The DualShock 4 still connects via Bluetooth and USB, with the sole difference that it is now a Micro USB port, rather than Mini USB.
- The DS4’s Touch Pad has “2 Point Sensing”, is based on smartphone-like capacitive touch, and also has a “Click Mechanism”. This makes it sound rather like the clicky unified touchpads which (I believe) were first used on on Apple’s MacBook Pro a few years ago.
For those that want to study the specs for themselves, you can have a look at the press release PDF here.
UPDATE:
In response to a few questions in the comments, some further clarifications:
- Elsewhere, @yosp has confirmed that the console is region free. Not for movies, but certainly for games.
- The slot for discs is barely visible in the 5th image, but resides on the left hand side, between the two blocks and to the left of the USB ports.
- With regards to legacy accessories, the DualShock 3 is not supported, but Move will be, alongside the new camera. It’s currently unclear about Bluetooth headsets, third party headsets, or racing wheels. Third party headsets will surely struggle without analogue outputs, though.
- The bundled mono headset plugs into the minijack & extension port on the bottom of the DS4.
If you’re more about the pictures, here’s a little gallery of images for your viewing pleasure:
stage1
Looks like i’ll be importing some controllers for the US cheaply :)
Can’t wait for this console!
cam the man
I’m glad the PS Eye isn’t included with the console as (for now anyway) I don’t think I will get much use out of it.
double-o-dave
Tell that to Cyclops!
JR.
I really like the design. Very classy. It’s a nice size too. Almost feels like we’re getting a PS4 slim without ever having a PS4 burtha. Not interested in the camera but I will need an extra DS4. I’ll be needing to pick up a vertical stand too. Looks great in the pictures.
cam_manutd
Compared to what the XB1 buyers will have to go through, a little more expense in the face of gaming accessories and PS+ is a better dilemma.
Lyts1985
Pleased digital optical audio is staying – was concerned my surround sound set-up would become redundant! Liking this design a lot, very sleek :-)
monreader
The only negative I have is that you need a hd tv as I dont have one. Best excuse to go and get one now though :d
KeRaSh
500 GB HDD is a great standard SKU in my opinion! My gaming PC has a 500 GB HDD and I have plenty of large games installed. I also plan to purchase my games on discs so. most of the HDD will be reserved for Plus content.
AdmiringWorm
It is, although I’ll probably upgrade to 1TB, got to think of not just the Plus content but the DLC of games as well. Although the 500 GB in my PS3 has yet to be maxed out.
AdmiringWorm
I don’t really think third-party headsets will be struggling all that much without the audio jacks.
Would probably be possible trough the USB port, just like it is on the PC. I would be surprised if it ain’t.
teflon
Entirely plausible, but the ability to balance the game and chat volume separately from one another would have to be supported in the OS and easily accessible.
AdmiringWorm
That’s true, I didn’t think of that.
It will probably be easily accessible, and through the same API the headset plugged into the controller uses, or so I hope.
SpikeyMikey23
Can’t wait to get my hands on this
AdmiringWorm
I just noticed they had managed to squeeze the “‘Playstation’ is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.” between the two blocks in the sixth image.
There was more than that written but didn’t manage to read that though.
Just mentioning since I thought it was a nice placement of it instead of plainly in sight on the back .