Despite PlayStation revealing its next-generation PS5 console, many fans have been wondering how much it will cost and how big it is going to be. Although PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan offered insight on why no price was listed during the reveal, no word on the console’s size or dimensions were mentioned, causing a number of fans to guess and even create mockups that compare the PS5 to other PS and Xbox consoles. Now, however, fans can get an official, yet still-vague idea of how big the next-generation console truly is.
While addressing the PS5 on LinkedIn, PlayStation’s vice president of UX Design Matt MacLaurin took the time to talk more about the console’s size and explain why the engineers made the console as big as some think it is. When one commenter asked MacLaurin why the PS5 was bigger than the PS4, MacLaurin replied by saying that it was because of the console’s tech and how much heat it generates while operating. “Thermals,” the vice president of UX Design explained. “While the 7nm process delivers amazing heat performance for the power, the power is very extreme […] it throws a lot of heat so we need room to dissipate.”
Based on what MacLaurin stated, due to the intensity of the console’s performance, especially since it will aim at running future games on maximum settings, it will create a lot of heat. As such, in order to cool the system down and allow the hot air to quickly escape rather than build up inside the console, the team had to create as much open space as possible, which ultimately caused the PS5 to look so big.
Though MacLaurin didn’t specify the console’s exact size, his reply to one of the comments should give somewhat of an idea, especially since he didn’t deny the comment on the PS5 being bigger than the PS4. For fans who plan on purchasing the PS5 when it releases or at some point in the future, it would be best for them to figure out a way to make room for it, whether they plan on laying the PS5 on the side or make it stand up.
One interesting comment that MacLaurin made during his talk was in regards to the PS5’s look. When addressing the design and explaining why the team decided to give the console such a futuristic look and how some of the fans didn’t like it too much, MacLaurin said, “Customization with special editions will be beyond anything seen before.” The comment may potentially suggest that just like the PS4, the PS5 will also be receiving special editions in the future that will change its look one way or another.
Source: VG247
