The PSPgo comes with 16GB of storage capacity built in, but if you intend on playing and storing lots of games, movies, music and pictures on it you’re probably going to need some new memory cards. Enter SanDisk, who have just launched a new line of memory card products targeted at portable game devices, the PSPgo in particular.
The expanded, gamer-targeted memory card product line does include a new 8GB SDHC Memory Card for the Nintendo DSi and 32GB Memory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo Gaming Cards for PSP-2000 and PSP-3000 systems, but the focus here is really on Memory Stick Micro M2 cards and adapters for the PSPgo.
SanDisk’s Micro M2 cards come in 2GB, 4GB, 8GB and 16GB capacities at respective prices of $27.99, $44.99, $74.99 and $142.99. And for $17.99 you can also pick up a Gaming Compatibility Pack containing a Memory Stick Micro M2 to Memory Stick PRO Duo adapter and Mobile Memory Stick Micro M2 reader so you can use your Micro M2 cards in other Sony devices and/or transfer data to a PC via USB if needed.
[Update] One important thing to note about the prices: they are only the suggested retail prices. The actual on-the-shelf prices are determined by each individual retailer and are generally much cheaper than the suggested prices. For example, Walmart has the 16GB Memory Stick Micro cards for $120 as opposed to the $143 MSRP. And you’ll find even cheaper deals on Buy.com.
“Many of the new portable gaming systems offer substantial downloadable content for gamers to enjoy, and our gaming memory cards give consumers the added storage capacity they need,” said Tim Sutton, product marketing manager, gaming, SanDisk. “Downloadable games for the PSP system can consume more than 700 megabytes (MB) of memory each, not to mention the large file sizes of movies and TV shows which boost demand for expandable storage.”
“Gamers are increasingly using their handheld systems for non-gaming activities, with nearly half of U.S. PlayStation® Portable owners, for example, playing video or music on the device at least once per week,” said Lewis Ward, research manager, consumer gaming and mobile entertainment, IDC. “Digital content for these platforms is commonly available for download, and it is this evolving delivery mechanism coupled with large file sizes that has transformed memory cards from helpful accessories to something that many teens and young adults use on a regular basis.”
I’m wondering how the $75 version of the 8GB M2 is any different than the 8GB M2 I can get at Buy.com for $25 (list is $50) … and that one comes with the MemStick Duo adapter as well …
I love Sandisk and their products, but they seem to have a habit of introducing overpriced ‘game specific’ products …
Yeah, SanDisk is sorta like the Monster Cable of the memory card scene. Fantastic products, but always more expensive than the same products you can buy cheaper elsewhere.
Sometimes these “gamer” cards do come with extra content pre-loaded onto them, but it doesn’t sound like these do. I remember getting a PSP stick from them a couple years ago that had some game content pre-loaded on it, I think it was for the latest Madden at the time.
Oh, and also just updated the post with a pic of the Gaming Compatibility Pack.
[Update] One important thing to note about the prices: they are only the suggested retail prices. The actual on-the-shelf prices are determined by each individual retailer and are generally much cheaper than the suggested prices. For example, Walmart has the 16GB Memory Stick Micro cards for $120 as opposed to the $143 MSRP. And you’ll find even cheaper deals on Buy.com.
So there is no difference between the $75 version and the one Buy.com has for $25 — final prices are up to retailers.