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It's funny. Laugh. Portables Toys Hardware

Gameboy Advance SP vs Canon Powershot G3 356

Posted by timothy from the apples-and-alleycats dept.
Pink Daisy writes "When it comes to modern consumer electronics there are a lot of choices to be made. Choosing the right gadget for you can be difficult, but a good decision has tremendous rewards. A bad one can doom you to Boring and Uncool Gadget Hell until your wallet recharges. Today I will help you decide whether your next portable device should be a Nintendo Gameboy Advance SP or a Canon Powershot G3. Since I'm a scientist, I will make this review as objective as possible. Where subjective judgements are required I will make note so that you can evaluate the evidence for yourself." Read on, or you won't know where to open your wallet.

Colour: Both devices have a metallic silver colour that is typical of portable consumer electronics. Black would have been cooler. The Gameboy is also available in other colours, although I think they don't look as good as the silver. Win goes to Gameboy for choice, although it doesn't matter unless you prefer one of the cheesy colours.
Score: G3 7, SP 8

Construction quality: Although the colour is metallic, neither one is completely metal. The Gameboy Advance SP is made from slightly pliable plastic. It feels strong enough, but is probably susceptible to scratches and bumps. The G3 body is about half metal and half carbon reinforced plastic. It is definitely a piece of quality construction. The lens is a marvel as well. The thing is built like a brick.
Score G3 8, SP 4

Form Factor: The Powershot G3 is box shaped, with a grip protruding from an edge and a cylinder from the centre of one face. It has a twist out LCD display. The Gameboy is box shaped when closed, but opens up in clamshell fashion to expose the LCD. Both feel a bit small to me when being held in the intended manner. That's because I have large hands; most people would probably find both very comfortable. When closed the Gameboy is more compact and very easy to pocket. The G3 is too large for many pockets and difficult to fit in others because the lens cap has a tendency to come off.
Score: G3 7, SP 9

Controls: The small size of the devices doesn't hamper operation of the controls. Both have excellent control layout. The buttons on the G3 are logically laid out so that the important ones are easy to reach when you need them. The buttons on the Gameboy are easily accessible in the heat of the moment. Despite the G3's great menu system for complex controls, the Gameboy has it beat there. Metroid Fusion has an even simpler menu system and very intuitive controls. My only complaint is that the controls on the Gameboy look like cheap plastic, whereas the buttons on the Powershot G3 have an excellent high-quality appearance.
Score: G3 10, SP 9

LCD Display: The part of the device that you will look at the most is the LCD display. The G3 has a smaller display. It has the definite edge in graphical capability. As well as being higher resolution, it performs sub-pixel anti-aliasing, where the Gameboy does not. It also displays more colours.
Score G3 7, SP 6

Replayability: Quality means nothing if you don't want to look at it. The Gameboy has an excellent selection of games available, with more arriving regularly. Metroid Fusion is particularly good, and many others are also noted as being of quality. If you already have a collection of older Gameboy and Gameboy Colour games that you love, they are compatible with the Gameboy Advance SP. In comparison, the photograph of a garbage dumpster stored in my G3 is lacklustre.
Score G3 2, SP 9

Storage: The G3 is compatible with all CF2+ class storage devices, including type 1 and 2 compact flash memory cards and microdrives. These cards are available in capacities of up to four gigabytes. In comparison, the Gameboy uses proprietary cartridges with a 24-bit address bus and a 16-bit data bus for a maximum of 32 megabytes of data.
Score G3 9, SP 6

Totals: G3 50, SP 51
The Nintendo Gameboy Advance SP narrowly beats out the Canon Powershot G3 for the coveted Raymond's Choice Award. Your next portable electronic device should definitely be a Nintendo Gameboy Advance SP.

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Gameboy Advance SP vs Canon Powershot G3 More

Gameboy Advance SP vs Canon Powershot G3

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  • Great content... (Score:2, Insightful)

    by Radi-0-head ( 261712 )
    And they want me to PAY for this garbage?

    Ha.
    • Not to be a humorless eggsucker like the parent, but I actually enjoyed the post. The writer managed to get me to read a review of something I already own, and something I don't want to own, and to enjoy doing so.

      And I paid to read it.

  • If this is supposed to be a joke, I think he forgot to add the humor. If it is supposed to be for-real, why not throw in some more devices that really have nothing to do with each other... say a pacemaker, a microwave oven, or, like, the wheel?

    • Re:Eh (Score:5, Funny)

      by sporty ( 27564 ) on Wednesday March 26, 2003 @02:32PM (#5598846) Homepage
      You prolly don't want to compare a pacemaker and a microwave. One would break the other :)

      Tester: Yeah, this pacemaker works pretty well. Let's try the microwave. HURK!

      [/joke]
    • What are you talking about? I almost pee'd my pants I was laughing so hard. I just passed this article to all my friends, I hope it starts one of thos chain emails. Cause its so clever.

      Coke almost came out of my nose when I read the part "Quality means nothing if you don't want to look at it."

      And then at the end The GBA SP wins by one point! whoa, to much. Now we all have to buy one!! hahahahahah. To good.
    • Some of us appreciate completely dry humor, and some of us don't.

      It doesn't need a laugh track and a sign saying "hey, this parts funny" for me to laugh at it and realize it's humour.
  • FreeBSD or VI?
    Direct3D or perl?
    perl or vi?
    beer or a stairclimber?

    The combinations of comparisons are endless!

    At least we'll always have possible content for slashdot.
  • not get both? Since one is a camera and one is for playing games...
  • Can the Canon play the old Phantasy Star games? 'nuff said.

  • Prices? (Score:3, Funny)

    by Scrag ( 137843 ) on Wednesday March 26, 2003 @02:31PM (#5598829)
    This is a very complete review of both devices, covering almost every aspect of the products that would be important to consumers. However, there seems to be no mention of the price of either item. I'm probably going to buy an SP since it beat the G3 by one point, but I don't know how much either one costs. Maybe I'll go for the G3 if the price/performance ratio beats the SP.
  • If you find yourself in need of a camera, you should probably go for the camera. Whereas if you find yourself on MUNI without anything to do, you would want the Gameboy.
    All those comparison are nice, but you could offer the same comparisons between a lightbulb and a toothbrush. If I need to see where I'm going, I'll pick up the lightbulb, regardless of the ammount of "features" the toothbrush comes with.
  • Uh, how does this possibly qualify as a front page news item?

    Game boy's for playing games. The PowerShot's for taking pictures. Functional overlap seems a lot more important for comparing products (as they would actually begin to compete with one another) than this crap.

    If this were 6 days from now it might make sense.
  • "Scientist" Proclaims Differences Between Apples and Oranges. Film at 11...

  • What??? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by macshune ( 628296 ) on Wednesday March 26, 2003 @02:36PM (#5598883) Journal
    No comparison on price? The gameboy advance is $99. The Powershot G3 is $800. Case closed. Get a Gameboy.
  • ...but refused my excellent comparative review of Powerbook G4 [apple.com] versus Hummer [hummer.com]?
  • Go for the SP! Damn. I want one so much. Even though I have a GBA anyway. But I also have a digital camera. Damn. Choices. The SP is going to be the best bet - you can't play games on a camera. You may not remember where you have been and what people have done - but hot diggaty, at least you will be a couple more levels up against that dastedly boss!

    Winnar!

  • Jumping the gun this year (Score:5, Funny)

    by Target Drone ( 546651 ) on Wednesday March 26, 2003 @02:38PM (#5598903)
    Slashdot is getting off to an early start this year. I wasn't expecting to see the April Fools articles for another 6 days.
    • This article is pretty strange. I know how we can settle it! Google fight! [googlefight.com]

      Gameboy Advance SP( 83 400 results) vs. Canon Powershot G3( 69 100 results)

      The winner is: Gameboy Advance SP.

      I guess we can trust the reviewier! He clearly know what he is talking about, in addition to being a scientist!

  • ...I think that would be completely ironic in discussion about two things that are offtopic from each other.

    Was the news THAT slow today that we needed to post a comparison between an (albeit nice) camera and the newest portable game system? I guess if you're in a money crunch, I can see not getting both, but they why don't you at least suggest alternatives for the camera (since the GBA/SP is about the only portable out there).

    --trb
  • Second comment I have made today with the same subject. Oh well. It's not funny really.
  • apples and oranges... now you can add gaming devices and photo cameras... has the world gone crazy?
  • A bad one can doom you to Boring and Uncool Gadget Hell

    Either way you end up in Expensive and No-Time-To-Use-It Gadget Hell.
  • This could be made even easier if we just throw a GB Camera into the mix...sure it is only black and white, but it is black and white and can become a tingle tuner at a moments notice (Zelda is amazing). Also, can the canon be played with friends that have Canon's but don't have the "same" memory stick as you? The GBA SP can with its single pack multiplayer fun! Man...I am sure glad I already own an SP :)

  • How about price? (Score:3, Insightful)

    by L-Train8 ( 70991 ) <Matthew_Hawk AT hotmail DOT com> on Wednesday March 26, 2003 @02:42PM (#5598945) Homepage Journal
    There is no comparison on price, which is a significant omission in my opinion. At Amazon.com, the Canon Powershot G3 retails for $550. The GBA SP retails for $99. The Gameboy is the clear winner in this category.

  • Must be a slow news day (Score:5, Funny)

    by binaryDigit ( 557647 ) on Wednesday March 26, 2003 @02:43PM (#5598954)
    You'd think that they could re-dig up some articles posted yesterday.
  • I'd like to take some time reviewing the differences and highlighting some of the features of two of the most feared groups on the planet. The Linux Kernel Hackers and the Iraqi ragime. I'm a scientist, so I'll keep this as non-biased and as straight-forward as possible...

    1. a. Linux Kernel Hackers (LKH) is headed and lead by a Finnish "hacker" with dubious past, most often viewed by American businesses as a hostile communist aggressor.
    1. b. Iraqi Ragime (IR) is headed by and (up until recently) lead by
  • ...and that's new too.

    Just thought I'd enlighten anyway who, after reading this review, decided to purchase one (even if it did lose to the SP by 1 point ).
    • I've been looking at a digicam to replace my aging Olympus 2500.

      The Powershot G3 [dpreview.com] seems to have all the features I need (3-4Mpixel, good lowlight, long battery life, non-proprietary media).

      Then again the Gameboy SP has a non-standard headphone jack. I'd take away a few points for that.
  • Tommorow we will find out the coveted reviews and comparason of the Canon XL-1S Prosumer Camcorder and a Cheese and Mustard sandwich bought from the vending machines in the lunchroom.

  • Ok! (Score:2)

    by 13Echo ( 209846 )
    I've had my daily dose of stupid.

    I'm still not quite sure why anyone would compare a CAMERA to a VIDEO GAME SYSTEM...

    So... Which should I spend my money on now? Would you compare a plate of sashimi to a Dodge Viper for me? It's a tough choice, really.
  • Why not get both? Since one is a camera and one is for playing games...

    Last Criteria: Do you need a camera, Or a Gameboy? All those comparison are nice, but you could offer the same comparisons between a lightbulb and a toothbrush.

    Game boy's for playing games. The PowerShot's for taking pictures. Functional overlap seems a lot more important for comparing products (as they would actually begin to compete with one another) than this crap.

    If this is supposed to be a joke, I think he forgot to add the
    • Sarchasm: great word!

      Here is my own example of sarchasm, which I recently had printed on a shirt (sarchasm because very few people "got it"):

      I feel self-esteem
      because I emerged
      from the birth canal
      of a woman
      who owed allegiance
      to a country
      in North America
      bordering the
      Atlantic, Pacific
      and Arctic oceans.
      I also feel proud to
      be bipedal.
      Sometimes, I feel
      proud to be vertebrate.

      Did my sarcasm fail because I was too obscure, or most everyone else was too obtuse?

      I sadly suspect that it was the former. :-(

      Oh, well
  • use your gameboy to take incriminating photographs of your friends.. taht are easily transfered/copied and store for possible black mail when they become a senator.. ehhh.. ehhh.. I think not. WINNER TO POWERSHOT G3..
  • However, did you know that MAME has been ported to several digital cameras [mame.net]?

    So you could play your games and take pictures too! But waitaminute...there's also the Game boy Camera! [dmgice.com]

    This 'digital convergence' stuff gives me fits! I'm off to duct tape a bunch of live grasshoppers to my back, masturbate, and proclaim myself the Messiah!
  • Looks like your e-mail goes to those shifty guys at cnet or com.com damn that so confusing.. I'm guessing they didn't let you out of the cage to put this up on CNET .. so you figured you'd hoodwink/payoff timothy from slashdot to popularize your crazy apple's and oranges review(s)..

    Is this a beggining of a series.. Will com.com buy Slashdot from OSDN... does com.com already own OSDN or does OSDN own com.com ... Or my vote is to That cowboy neal owns it all and stores them all in a locker at the bus
  • The author leaves some very important questions unanswered...

    How many megapixels is the Gameboy SP?
    What games are available for the Powershot G3?

    I'll need the answers to those questions to make an informed decision.
    • yeah.. this must have been one of the silliest, useless reviews i've seen lately, for fu*s sake, if you're buying a gadget for the sake of it being a gadget then you should at least try to learn to lie to yourself a bit better. usually you buy a camera because you need a camera.. not because you need something to fiddle around with in the bus or to look cool at the office with.

      though.. actually, some camera had quite hackable software and someone put some minimized port of mame on it playing pacman.. been

  • nice matchup. (Score:5, Funny)

    by jeffehobbs ( 419930 ) on Wednesday March 26, 2003 @02:55PM (#5599060) Homepage

    I look forward to next week's "2003 Humidifier Vs. Dehumidifer Deathmatch!".

    ~jeff
  • In comparison, the photograph of a garbage dumpster stored in my G3 is lacklustre.

    Well, now, if you can't find anything interesting to photograph, whose fault is that?

  • What about the fact that the Gameboy Advance SP [amazon.com] costs $99 whilst the Canon G3 [amazon.com] costs $550? I don't know about the rest of you, but that makes a big difference to me.
  • "The buttons on the Gameboy are easily accessible in the heat of the moment."

    That's a feature that the G3 really needs, although I somehow suspect that this reviewer didn't test it. If he had, the replay value of the G3 might also have gotten a better score...
  • Today we're comparing CBC news anchor Peter Mansbridge to hockey star Todd Bertuzzi. Who'll come out ahead? LOOKS Mansbridge has the suave news-anchor good looks that keep him out of radio and on the telly. Bertuzzi has a rough, stubby look and excellent bridgework that would suit a movie star! However, a slight edge to smooth Mansbridge. PETER 9 TODD 8 SPEECH Todd Bertuzzi is an excellent post-game interview, and will always fill in the reporters on some in-depth details of the match. Mansbridge, on
  • 1) All categories had equal weighting. Bad.

    2) What was your hypothesis? What determines a better gadget? That should drive your weightings. For example, if you're looking for a gadget that is fun, then "playability" should be weighted as a large factor and therefore present the GB SP as the *clear* winner.

    This was a poor review. Anyone can compare an apple to an orange and use sufficiently subjective rankings to determine the orange is better than the apple by a score of 51 to 50. But what does that
  • I would try to post some humours reply to this article, but in its wake of its stupidity all I can do is blankly stare at the mouse infront of me

    "if it wasn't for my horse, i would've never made it through that year in college" -LB
  • Man, to hear the dorks in /. land, you'd think this was some sort of affront to the towering pinnacle of journalism that is /.

    People, get a sense of humor, this is the most fun I've had reading a /. review in quite a while!

    And from the review, the G3 is looking nicer and nicer, though price would have been a good thing to include...
    • This is FUNNY, people

      I think the point that many people are trying to make is that, no, it is not funny. And, it is failure at being humorous that causes others to fail to see the humor. You can't fault anyone for not seeing humor that isn't there.

  • The best laughs are the posted comments.
    Absolutely unbelievable! :-)
  • That is the sound I wish I was hearing as I kick every single one of you in the balls. You are the most humorless, literal-minded dorks on the planet.
  • How to do a case mod on your Powershot G3 to *incorporate* the Gamebody SP! ;-)

    -psy

  • Next up, apples vs. oranges! (Score:3, Funny)

    by smackdotcom ( 136408 ) on Wednesday March 26, 2003 @03:06PM (#5599141)
    They're both fruit, but which one will help you bake a pie, and which one makes a delicious breakfast beverage? Tune in tomorrow!

    Sheesh.

  • Slashdot just got trolled!
    Wowzer. Good writing and sure to prompt plenty of 'wtf'-esque discussion.
    This is one of those funny-once jokes, though. Too bad--I was just about to write up a review comparing my G3 with my PIII...

  • Eh (Score:2)

    by sehryan ( 412731 )
    <comic book guy>Worst. Satire. Ever.</comic book guy>
  • "Worst article ever." - Comic Book Store Guy
  • Collaborative storywriting:

    Somewhere deep inside the bowels of the Earth where the /. editors meet, Timothy comes across a story submission clearly posted by someone on drugs.

    "Check this out!" he says to the others. "What an idiot."

    Promptly, CmdrTaco presses the "Post Story" button with Timothy's mouse, then retreats to his own workstation to revoke Timothy's rights to retract the story.

    OK, Your turn.

  • When it comes to 4 wheel vehicles, there are a lot of choices to be made. Choosing the right self-locomoting gadget can be difficult. A bad one can bring you boring and uncool status, as well as put a dent in your wallet.

    Since I'm a scientist, I will make this review as objective as possible. Where subjective judgements are required - heck, screw it, I'm a scientist damn it - my word is objective!

    Colour: Both the Camry and the off road Tamiya RC Car have paint. The Tamiya has customizable paint, as
  • Comparing two things that are completely different and saying one's better than the other...hmmm...kinda reminds me of the whole Linux vs Windows debate this website was on about so long ago. Whatever happened to that?

  • April Fools Day is NEXT week.

  • When it comes to fruit there are a lot of choices to be made. Choosing the right fruit for you can be difficult, but a good decision has tremendous rewards. A bad one can doom you to Boring and Uncool Fruity Hell until your stomach recharges. Today I will help you decide whether your next piece of fruit should be an apple or an orange. Since I'm a scientist, I will make this review as objective as possible. Where subjective judgements are required I will make note so that you can evaluate the evidence for

  • If you have the right pictures...
  • It would be nice if we could moderate the POSTERS of stories, and make them pay for their crimes against slashdot readers. I say fire Taco and timothy and find someone who can
    a) spell
    b) read
    c) remember what they posted within the past 24 hours
    d) has a deeper sense of humor than this

    sorry, but this is just awful, and timothy should feel ashamed for this.
  • And it's not even April fools.

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