Sony PSP: Taking care of the PSP

I've made random posts about my PSP on FB but figured, it's time to move the rambling over here for a moment. I feel, times have really changed in terms of our portable technology. I'm not referring or focusing on cd and cassette players or boom boxes. Rather, cell phones (aka mobile phones for early adopters, right?) and portable game systems, especially the PSP (and maybe the Sega Gamegear).

Remember, eons ago, when we, as the consumer would protect our newly bought mobile devices? Those old Nokia phones and the plastic pouch-like thing we'd put it in? Now, I don't remember how much phones were back in 1998/1999 when they started gaining in popularity. To me, it wasn't a thing but it ended up a trend I joined in. I wasn't against it, just didn't see the point of needing a phone on me when not at home. Someone wants to get ahold of me? Leave a message. At some point, a certain someone felt it necessary I have one.

According to Google, the Sony PSP was released in the US in 2005. Cell phone technology was still pretty early; I don't think touch screen was quite a thing.

Now, the PSP was definitely an amped up version of whatever Nintendo Gameboy model was available. Google sez the MSRP on the PSP was $250. That's for just the system and I've no idea if they had bundles upon release. There were, in the end. The point here, $250 was a pretty good chunk of money for a portable system for any gamer out there. There were plenty of accessories to go with it and in the end, a wonderful slew of games and movies. What I'm getting at here, I bought a case for it. I believe the intent was to protect the thing from getting scratched.

Do we remember how much we cared about our portable device getting scratched???

Like, we took great care of our phones back then. They weren't a throw-away item (yet). And the PSP, I'm pretty sure, beat any cell phone price at that time.

I look at this case and wonder, was it really necessary? To keep the PSP safe, yes. Who knows if a cat would attack it or knock it off the desk. Drop a quarter on it, might scratch or crack the screen, right? That'd be $250 down the hole! I did find the case useful for holding 2 games (I always kept one in the PSP so 3 total) and it was a good protective container for it. Now, there's a protective lens in the case and I'm not sure what it's supposed to represent. Trying to play the PSP in the case, doesn't work cuz the shoulder buttons are difficult to reach. But I think the case used to be able to be propped up like a pyramid so you could watch a movie. Unfortunately, the lil plastic/rubber pieces that would keep it from sliding on the desk are long worn out.

Anyway, I like to think I take great care of my PSP (and Vita when I owned one). I was very paranoid about anything happening to the screen. I also tend to take care of my phone. Not the best I can, but I've had this thing for a few years. While it's been dropped a few times, it's managed to escape permanent harm. (knock on wood)

Ah, the old days.