Best handheld to conceal/play at work?

M

mrroboto

Banned
just started working midnights and i'm basically working( :lol ) at a desk all night.

anyways, i'm seriously considering a handheld purchase to help pass the tim...err help me do work.

the thing is, it can't be blatant use of the system as i do have people that come past me from time to time as they're working also(but it's basically a skeleton crew).

i'm really leaning towards the nintendo ds as the stylus is the perfect "excuse" if i get caught by simply passing it off that i was checking my p.d.a.

however, even though it's not out yet(a few more weeks) the sony psp *is* tempting.

hell, we've got built in mp3 support and the ability to play full movies on it!

a plus for the ds purchase would be the price(almost half of what the psp will cost) and the HUGE amount of games available at outset(including of course the full gameboy advance catalog).

the plus for the psp-mp3, movies and games.

the psp battery life is concerning to me and hopefully they'll have something at launch that will last more than the average 6 hours of gameplay until the batteries drain.

i'd like to keep the ds or psp *unplugged*. they'd have to run off batteries otherwise the concealment is kinda, you know-gone. (since when do you see pda's plugged in?).

i really don't want this to be a ds vs. psp flame thread. i like both systems and what they have to offer.

it would be easy to say "just buy them both dude!" but i'm not sure my wife would like well over $500 in video game system and software purchases.

so it'll definately be one system only.

your thoughts? thanks.
 
I once took my Virtual Boy to school. Covered it with my backpack and set it on my desk (no stand), so it would look as if all I was doing resting my head. My teacher must been blind, she never noticed the powercord coming from under my desk to the outlet behind me.

You could probably get away with hiding a Xbox if you tried.
 
My real opinion is an SP. It's really small.

But my fake opinion, for the sake of humor is...

NintendoGameBoy.jpg


Pea green baby!
 
JJConrad said:
I once took my Virtual Boy to school. Covered it with my backpack and set it on my desk (no stand), so it would look as if all I was doing resting my head. My teacher must been blind, she never noticed the powercord coming from under my desk to the outlet behind me.

You could probably get away with hiding a Xbox if you tried.
Click to expand...
students hide all sorts of things under their desk, they just think teachers doesn't know, but most of the time they could see everything, they probably just didn't bother to tell you.
 
can you bring a laptop computer to work? I bring mine for when I'm bored.

Powerbook+ GBA emulator= no more boring work days. You can set up the keys so it looks like typing. and its small enough to conceal behind a Word/Excel window unlike a full blown PC game.CMD+tab or ALT+TAB is your very best friend

if you really want a new handheld go with the PSP all the way
 
demi said:
You gotta do it James Bond style:

ZW1.JPG

ZW2.JPG



JUST CHECKING THE TIME, SIR
Click to expand...

:lol those watches kicked ass back in the 80's. A bit crude by todays stands (and even back then) but they were good times.

I would stick with playing games on your PC (like web games or whatever)
 
DS and PSP are about the same in length. DS is no thicker than a GBA SP.

Personally, for me this about taste. I chose DS cos thats where everything I wanted is: GBA compatability, new touch screen games, launch titles (Mario 64, Wario, Polarium, Project Rub), titles a little further down the line (Mario Kart, New Super Mario Bros, Kirbys Paintbrush, Yoshi Touch & Go, FF III, FF CC, Zelda Four Swords, Zelda, Secret of Mana) as well as unique spins on many of the franchises that the PSP will get as well.

I'm interested in the PSP too, but I got a DS first because I love retro games, Nintendo games, and anything fresh in gaming.. which I think DS has a lot of potential to be.

I'm tempted to advise you to do the same a) because it's $80 cheaper, more given any DS price drops b) that means money for games / other stuff c) as you point out the stylus might make people pass it off as a PDA. With the volume down, I've noticed people in work and passengers on my train don't actually know what I'm doing on this thing... they don't realise I'm drawing trampolenes for Mario to land on, or unfurling toilet roll as fast as I can. They're not curious enough to bother asking either. Those people at work who do know what the DS is like to have a go of it themselves. They play it more than me!

Other than this I don't really know what to say. There's no hiding any of these handhelds. They're about the size of reasonably large cigar cases, or drinks canisters. Perfect for an inside breast pocket, but you ain't getting it in your jeans. If you wanna slack off, you should find a good angle for your monitor and sit posting at GAF!

That may or may not be what I do :D
 
i used to get away with convincing people that the DS was a PDA, but once Kojima signed it, people always noticed the signiture, and asked what the deal was.

as far as "oh shit!" and putting it away really quick goes, i'd imagine SP would be the way to go because of the size.

there's a slight slight chance that you wouldn't even have to put PSP away though. you could be playing that thing, and next thing you know, your manager can be standing behind you saying "that's a beautiful looking thing in your hands, what is that?". slight chance, but the possibility is definitely there. PSP owns everyone in person.
 
Depends on the game. SP is good for stuff like Advance Wars or Pokemon that you can pretty much play one-handed and can hide the second you need to. I used to do this in class all the time in college. Diverting attention from a turn-based game won't get you killed instantly.

DS is good for the stylus-only games. Just looks like you're writing. BUT most games aren't stylus only, and you can't play with one hand or hide it like you can with an SP.

Also consider that the lights of both systems may shine on your face if the room is dark.
 
I really dig Fiber Wire. Easily concealed, goes through metal detectors, makes no sound. Doesn't bother people who catch me with it that I'm a scary bald guy with a barcode on the back of my head.
 
demi - that actor who graces all your avatar - he's the cool dude from Shaun of the dead isn't he? Is he a famous pommy comedian and what shows is he famous for? I would have to check out is ouerve... :)
 
Do you have a computer available to you? If so, just load up on emulators and be done with it. :)
 
Odnetnin said:
demi - that actor who graces all your avatar - he's the cool dude from Shaun of the dead isn't he? Is he a famous pommy comedian and what shows is he famous for? I would have to check out is ouerve... :)
Click to expand...

Yes it is.

Spaced
Danger! 50,000 Volts!
Shaun of the Dead

And recently he hosted the 2005 NME Awards.

Look him up for more information. He's definitely not famous big, but he's rather known in the UK for the most part.
 
I would have to say the DS, based on the featureset you're looking for. DS flips shut for an instant sleep mode... something no one else has mentioned. It can literally be sleeping, making no noise or light, in like half a second.
 
Odnetnin said:
demi - that actor who graces all your avatar - he's the cool dude from Shaun of the dead isn't he? Is he a famous pommy comedian and what shows is he famous for? I would have to check out is ouerve... :)
Click to expand...

He was also in a string of hardcore german fisting movies. Demi wont mention that, of cousre.
 
If money isn't an issue, get a Zodiac. It actually is a PDA and you can jump from your emulators to your PDA functions with a touch of the screen. It also plays music, formatted movies, surfs the net, messes with tv controls, etc.

The DS isn't worth it. And the PSP is too obviously pretty.
 
LOL funny you brought this up! I take my DS to work all the time. It's perfect time passer! Four out of five days I am in the building by myself and I can fuck off and do whatever I want. But on the fifth day, I can't break out any handheld devices whatsoever since it's during business hours. Handhelds are awesome for work but then there's this solution.....

onion_pixy said:
can you bring a laptop computer to work? I bring mine for when I'm bored.

Powerbook+ GBA emulator= no more boring work days. You can set up the keys so it looks like typing. and its small enough to conceal behind a Word/Excel window unlike a full blown PC game.CMD+tab or ALT+TAB is your very best friend
Click to expand...

Give this man a fucking CIGAR!! For he has the best reply in this thread. I haven't bought my laptop yet, but man, this is going to be the best toy I buy in 2005. There is nothing like gaming on a notebook/laptop while kicking back at work. All the greatest classic console and arcade games at your fingertips. A DS or PSP doesn't even come close to being as entertaining or as fun as a laptop. If you can get by with it, go for it and screw the DS/PSP!
 
onion_pixy said:
Powerbook+ GBA emulator= no more boring work days. You can set up the keys so it looks like typing.
Click to expand...

I'll see you one better. Put the emu and roms on a USB stick, and carry it with you to whatever computer you happen to be using. Put some other useful apps (IM client, etc) and you can basically have your own computer setup where ever you go.
 
If you're gonna go as far as saying a laptop plus emulator is ok, why not just put an emulator on your office PC!? Personally, SP has been by far the most concealable handheld for me, but DS is pretty cool because you can just close it and go into sleep mode (unless you're playing Zoo Keeper).
 
Jonnyram said:
DS is pretty cool because you can just close it and go into sleep mode (unless you're playing Zoo Keeper).
Click to expand...

It doesn't go into sleep mode with GBA games though :(
 
bjork said:
It's nice to have a job where you can play whenever. :)
Click to expand...

I sure is. Makes like life much easier. And makes going to work something to actually look forwrd to, rather than dreading.

I may postpone the purchase of my laptop however, and just settle on gaming on a PSTwo with a flip-up LCD screen. Either that or just the PSP. I mean, a laptop just to take to work is kinda a big investment in luxury. We're talking a $2000 machine vs a $250 handheld. I dunno what Im gonna do yet.
 
isamu said:
I sure is. Makes like life much easier. And makes going to work something to actually look forwrd to, rather than dreading.

I may postpone the purchase of my laptop however, and just settle on gaming on a PSTwo with a flip-up LCD screen. Either that or just the PSP. I mean, a laptop just to take to work is kinda a big investment in luxury. We're talking a $2000 machine vs a $250 handheld. I dunno what Im gonna do yet.
Click to expand...

Unless you want a state of the art laptop, it should only set you back around 1000 to 1,200.
 
Squirrel Killer said:
I'll see you one better. Put the emu and roms on a USB stick, and carry it with you to whatever computer you happen to be using. Put some other useful apps (IM client, etc) and you can basically have your own computer setup where ever you go.
Click to expand...


while thats an awesome idea it wouldnt quite work for me as we have macs at work and I use a PC at home. Tho good idea none the less. :)

also, I can't install any software on my work mac. It runs very particular software and its a dedicated workstation. Hence why I bring my laptop. I can use it for IM client, Office, email etc. Makes it even easier to hide the emus since I technically do work on it :D


p.s. isamu, Im not a MAN ;)
 
Suikoguy said:
Unless you want a state of the art laptop, it should only set you back around 1000 to 1,200.
Click to expand...


Hi Suikoguy. Can you recommend a good laptop for 1000 to 1,200? I don't think I want to settle for anything under a P4 3.0gig.

onion_pixy said:
p.s. isamu, Im not a MAN ;)
Click to expand...

My apologies Ms. Pixy :D
 
Playing games on the job is just a nice way to get in trouble, I did it at my last job because people took forever to get the materials I needed to work to me. Still, while it was understandable, my GBA didn't go over too well with the corporate stiffs. They always said there was something else to do (which was a lie).

So I just used GBA SP for breaks instead. That was just enough to keep me sane. I figure if people can take 15 for cigarettes, I can take 15 for some Fire Emblem.

Get what you want, but don't get fired over games.
 
Try the Pokemon Mini.
Okay, so it's monochrome but some of the games, especially Pokemon Pinball, are really rather good, single-handed titles.
Given that you'll be able to pick one up for about no money these days, worth a look!
:)
 
I have a Zire71. I play games on it all the time from Puzzle Bobble to Solitare. I guess people at my school are stupid, but my roommate actually thought I used it to cheat on tests by accessing the Internet and other people think I'm organizing files or the like during class when I'm really just playing Freecell.

I say go with a PDA. People think you're doing more important work than you ever will be.
 
The PSP also goes into sleep mode in less than a second.

Anyway, I once snuck my PS2 to work, hid it in a drawer, and hooked it up to my PC so me and my cowroker could play Winning Eleven on my monitor! Anytime we heard someone approaching, we'd chuck the controllers in the drawer, and minimize the screen. Of course we played without sound.
 
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