Sony PSP (PlayStation Portable)

Sony PSP (PlayStation Portable)
Manufacturer: Sony
MSRP: $169.99 (Core System)

This review is based upon the 3000 system which is also referred to as PSP "Slim" due to it's thinner profile. The 2000 is .9 inches thick while the "slim" is .9 inches thick. Due to the 3000 being the second generation of PSP some features/specs will be different so bear this in mind if you are looking at a 2000.

The list of specs/features is massive so I will list those that I feel are most important but feel free to check out the entire specs list here.

Specs & Features:

• Screen - 4.3 inch 16:9 (Widescreen) Display
  
• Speakers: Built-in stereo speakers
  
• Wireless LAN (Wifi) for internet access
  
• Built-in internet browser
  
• USB 2.0 connection to PC
  
• ProDuo stick memory slot (for game saves/video/audio/images)
  
• Uses UMD (Universal Media Discs) for games and movies
  

The basic core unit is a sleek black as pictured above. Sony sells special units with games (and sometimes movies in the packs) which come with a limited edition colored unit. Such as the white Star Wars unit I purchased.

Let's start with the most important item...the games. Being a portable version of PlayStation the games are essential. Many releases for the standard consoles are ported for play on the PSP. Now many of the games could be considered a "watered-down" version of the full console version. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing. Due to lower onboard memory and the fact that the PSP has fewer buttons than the standard PS controller (only two top buttons instead of 4 and one joystick as opposed to two) which limits movement options to some degree it is understandable that this is the case.

However, most games I have played offer great playability and re-playability. They did not skimp on the graphics which can be displayed by the unit which can also play a hand in overall game size. Sound and video is comparable to those found on a full console PS played on an LCD television.

But the PSP also features games which are developed exclusively for the system which obviously would require a PSP to experience.

The PSP also allows you to watch movies. You will experience a great picture along with stereo sound whether you use the built-in speakers, stereo headphones or an additional 'theater' made for the PSP (will be discussed in further detail shortly). Movies come on UMDs which can be bought in stores and online. They feature DVD-like menus and many offer bonus features also like a DVD. You can also load MP4 encoded movies onto a ProDuo memory stick via computer which will also look stunning (this may be limited to how the original video was encoded but has no reflection upon the PSP itself).

The PSP allows you to play music (MP3 and other codecs) files which you can store on a memory stick from your computer. You will be able to hear your songs in beautiful stereo.

And with the PSPs Wi-Fi connection you can access the internet anywhere there is wireless access. I have a wireless router set up in my apartment to share my cable internet connection throughout my apartment. The PSP has its own built-in browser so that you can check e-mail and visit sites. Many popular sites feature a WAP (mobile) version which will load more quickly in mobile devices but may limit some functionality. There are a lot of things I wouldn't do online with my PSP that I would from my PSP as even typing text is a little more time consuming than I would like as you have to scroll around and click the X button to enter each letter. I am looking/waiting for a USB keyboard I can plug into the PSPs USB port which would greatly alleviate this annoyance. But the ability to connect to the 'net in a library/restaurant/caffe that has WiFi access is quite handy.

Sony's official site (linked at the top of this review) offers firmware updates to add new features and fix bugs in the software that operates the PSP which can be downloaded to your PSP when connected through a proper USB cable.

There is a wide array of peripherals and add-on hardware available for purchase to use with your PSP. Some examples include: the theater I mentioned early which allows you to plug the PSP in and normally connects directly to the sound port to amplified stereo speakers to make it louder and will hold the PSP at the optimal viewing angle. There are cables to allow you to connect your PSP to any HD television so you can watch movies and play yours games on a big-screen TV. You can even change a setting that shuts off the PSPs display when connected to a television so that it's much like playing a standard PS console where the PSP acts as the console and the controller. You can check out Sony's official site for the PSP and various retail stores and Web sites for more peripherals that can greatly add more enjoyment of your system.

I love my PSP as it allows me to do most of the things I may want to do at a moments notice all in one portable unit. Sure you will get a larger viewing screen with a portable DVD player, more playing features for audio with an MP3 player, more features in a console gaming system and a more fully-featured wireless internet experience with a laptop. But the ability to do any of these anywhere at a moments notice with one unit is fantastic.

Another great idea is to purchase a refurbished unit. This is my second PSP (my first was a 2000 shortly after the initial release of the system which unfortunately met its untimely demise during a horrible ranch dressing incident) and bother were refurbs. They are put back to factory shape/settings and most of them come with at least a 30-day guarantee. This option is great as I paid only $150 for my slim (3000) unit which was $75 off of my particular unit's original price.

I rate this device highly as it brings me so many hours of entertainment in many forms!

Buy it!