Why doesn't my Sony PSP have a Memory Stick Duo?

You have hit on one of my pet peeves with modern electronics. It used to be that you needed to ensure that you bought batteries for the little gizmos before you gave them as presents or otherwise enjoyed them, but now that so many things -- cellphones, video game systems, cameras -- require memory, it's critical that you also buy a memory device for them too.

The Sony Playstation Portable (PSP) is no different, and you really need to buy a small memory card to slip into it so that you can save games as you proceed, etc. It's not critical (as you can see in the actual error message, below), but it's a really good idea:

What bugs me about this is that as you can see it doesn't need a very big device to work: 700K is just over half a megabyte, and typical memory devices are measured in thousands of megabytes (gigabytes). With all of its manufacturing prowess, Sony really could make 1MB Memory Stick Duos and include them in the box with the PSP for another dollar or two.

But they don't.

Instead, you need to buy one, which is easily done at Best Buy, Amazon.com or just about any other electronics or game store.

A quick look at Amazon.com shows that the smallest PSP-compatible Memory Stick Duo (and yes, you want to pick one that explicitly says "PSP compatible" for best results) is a SanDisk 1GB Duo Memory Card for $9.99.

(which means that the production cost is about a dollar, maybe two. Adding it in the box of the Sony PSP would add maybe two dollars to the price of the unit. Would anyone not buy it if it cost $2 more? I really don't think so...)

Once you get the card, you need to find where on the modern PSP you insert it into the device. Turns out there's a small hidden door on the lower right edge of the device:

Slip your fingernail underneath it and pop it out:

Now the Memory Stick Duo slips right into the Sony PSP and next time you start it you won't see the error message and your son will be greatly pleased to be able to save his progress as he plays through some of the many great games for this little handheld powerhouse.

While I'm here, I should mention that if you're looking for Sony PSP Help, you've found it. I have tons. :-)