The PSone slim
The PSone (SCPH-101) Slim Redesign
Late in the console's life, Sony released a dramatically smaller redesign known as the PSone, carrying the model number SCPH-101. Where the original fat unit was a broad grey box, the PSone is a rounded, compact shell roughly a third smaller, finished in a lighter tone. It plays the same library of discs and remains fully compatible with original accessories.
What Changed Inside
The PSone runs on the PM-41 board family, including a later PM-41(2) variant. This is a heavily consolidated design that completes the cost-reduction trend of the late fat boards. The console dropped the legacy expansion ports entirely and uses an external power supply rather than an internal one, which is part of how Sony shrank the footprint.
The LCD Screen Attachment
One of the most charming PSone accessories is the official clip-on LCD screen, which mounts to the rear of the console and folds up to turn the system into a near-portable unit. Combined with a power source, it made the PSone a popular travel companion.
Identifying a PSone
Its small rounded body and SCPH-101 label make the PSone unmistakable. Inside, expect a PM-41 or PM-41(2) board rather than any PU- revision.
Because the PM-41 boards are so tightly integrated, internal layouts differ substantially from the fat consoles. Do not assume fat-model component locations carry over.