Vertical PS2: Why?

[ChimouJ]

This has been bugging me for a while now. Why does Sony advertize the PS2 standing up and even sell a vertical stand for it, but also warn that the PS2 performance is decreased while standing and can even cause damage to the hardware and discs when played?

I know this is true personally because my friend's PS2 went to hell fast because he played it vertically ever since he got it. So why promote the stand if it damages your system? It's stupid.

 

[The_Z]

It damages your games and console? Bleh.

 

[Miretank]

So why promote the stand if it damages your system? It's stupid.

then your system breaks and you need to buy another

although me and some friends discussing about the manners you can use ps2, we achivied in a great answer: some ps ones with problem in the lens runs better when you put'em inverse (heads down) or vertically... maybe sony made ps2 to support vert. position in solution of possible future optical lens problem...lol
/my dead ps one (rip btw) used to work vertically its lasts months.

 

[Dark Watcher]

eh?
As far as the machine itself, we don't see how putting the system vertically can be damaging.

Now games on the other hand.... Sony's early CD based games were made with a lighter material that caused the discs to wobble somewhat and of course get damaged easily (especially when vertical), but they have since stopped making those

 

[ScottJC]

having the ps2 vertical saves a lot of space imho, i've had it standing before and haven't noticed a bloody difference.