The PS Vita lacks neiher gaming nor comput¬ing muscle

The PlayStation Vita, is one of the most powerful handheld devices we have ever seen. It combines a 5-inch AMOLED touchscreen display, a quad core processor, a backtrack pad, dual analog sticks, a num­ber of sensors, dual cameras and a stack of connectivity options. It might look a bit like the older PlayStation Portable (PSP), but it renders games like Golden Unchartered Abyss and Unit 13 immacuately, providing an experience not too distant from that seen on real consoles. Throw in the option to browse the Web, chat with friends, view films, listen to music, and even spot other users and leave them virtual items, and the only thing that keeps the Vita from com­puterhood is the absence of apps. Still, some might feel that at Rs 19,990 for the Wi-Fi only version and Rs 24, 990 for the 3G and Wi-Fi edition, the device is overpriced - you can get a PS3 or a Xbox 360 for less. Even its games are likely to cost in excess of Rs 2,500, which could be a deterrent to some. You also need to invest in a special memory card to be able to save game data, adding to the costs. All of which makes the PS Vita in its current avatar a bit of an expensive gaming device, while not being enough of a com­puter. We are not giving up on the comput­er dream yet, though. Who knows, a firm­ware update might make the device far more versatile. As of now, it remains a must for gamers with deep pockets. Those look­ing for more versatile gaming options will still flock to the iPod touch.