In 2005, Sony released their first gaming handheld, the PlayStation Portable (PSP). It was also the first gaming handheld that could display pictures, play music and video, and surf the internet with its Wi-Fi connection. Its engine could also support better, higher quality graphics, which put the system—at least graphics-wise—ahead of the main competition for portable gaming: the Nintendo DS.
Since the PSP's inception, it has gone through multiple firmware updates and a few hardware versions with minimal upgrades. The hardware changes not only improved the console's gaming and multimedia functionality, but it also lightened up the physical weight of the handheld.
PSP 1000
The PSP 1000 was the very first version, and it's also the heaviest. It weighs in at 9.2 oz, which is not much, but it feels like so much more when this version is placed in one hand and one of the newer versions is placed in the other. It also only has 32 MB of on-board RAM, whereas the more recent versions have twice as much.
The only retailers that currently sell this dinosaur are those that sell refurbished systems such as Gamestop.
PSP 2000
Two years later, Sony redesigned the handheld console and produced the PSP 2000, which is lighter (almost three ounces lighter) and slightly slimmer than the original thanks to the thinner and brighter LCD screen. Sony installed additional on-board RAM to reduce the slow load times and rearranged where some features are located. For example, the Wi-Fi switch was moved to the top of the screen and the speakers were also moved to the front and top of the screen. The PSP 2000 also sported a composite cable output for TV connectivity.
Some stores still carry PSP 2000s, but a prospective buyer's best bet is either eBay or at a store that sells used gaming systems.
PSP 3000
The PSP 3000 released in time for the Christmas 2008 season, but really did not offer much improvement over its PSP 2000 predecessor. The LCD screen was replaced yet again with one a little wider and better capabilities for displaying more vibrant images. The speakers' quality was also improved and the disc tray was redesigned. A microphone was also added.
This system can be found at any gaming retailer, and should still be available even when the PSP Go releases in October 2009 due to the hardware differences between the two.
PSP Go
This is the newest version of the handheld, which will be released on October 1, 2009. It will be the lightest PSP yet, weighing in at only 5.6 oz. It will also be roughly half the size of the previous versions of the PSP and feature a slide out screen that will normally cover the system's controls.
The biggest change that sets the PSP Go apart from the others is its lack of a disc tray. The PSP Go will only support downloadable games, so all games on UMD discs cannot be played on this version. As a result, Sony will not stop production of the PSP 3000, since the PSP Go is meant to be a travel or pocket PSP and not replace the PSP 3000 entirely.
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