The PlayStation Portable uses the common "
bar" form factor. The original model measures approximately and weighs . The front of the console is dominated by the system's
LCD screen, which is capable of 480 × 272 pixel display resolution with
24-bit color, outperforming the Nintendo DS. Also on the unit's front are the four iconic PlayStation face buttons (, , , ); the directional pad, the analog "nub", and several other buttons. The system also has two shoulder buttons, a
USB 2.0 mini-B port on the top of the console, and a
wireless LAN switch and power cable input on the bottom. The back of the PSP features a read-only Universal Media Disc (UMD) drive for access to movies and games, and a reader compatible with Sony's
Memory Stick PRO Duo
flash cards is located on the left of the system. Other features include an
IrDA-compatible infrared port (this was discontinued in PSP-2000 and later) and a two-pin docking connector; built-in stereo speakers and headphone port; and
IEEE 802.11b Wi-Fi for access to the Internet, free online multiplayer gaming via
PlayStation Network, the ability to purchase games from
PlayStation Store (now discontinued), and data transfer. The PSP uses two 333
MHz MIPS32 R4000 R4k-based
CPUs, as a main CPU and Media Engine, a
GPU running at 166 MHz, and includes 32 MB main
RAM (64 MB on PSP-2000 and later models), and 4 MB embedded
DRAM split between the aforementioned GPU and Media Engine. With firmware update 3.50 on May 31, 2007, however, Sony removed this limit and allowed new games to run at 333 MHz. The PSP is powered by an 1800 mAh battery (1200 mAh on the 2000 and 3000 models) that provides between about three and six hours of gameplay, between four and five hours of video playback, or between eight and eleven hours of audio playback. To make the unit slimmer, the capacity of the PSP's battery was reduced from 1800
mAh to 1200 mAh in the PSP-2000 and 3000 models. The original high-capacity batteries work on the newer models, giving increased playing time, though the battery cover does not fit. The batteries take about 1.5 hours to charge and last for between four-and-a-half and seven hours depending on factors such as screen brightness settings, the use of
WLAN, and volume levels. In March 2008, Sony released the Extended Life Battery Kit in Japan, which included a bulkier 2200 mAh battery with a fitting cover. In Japan, the kit was sold with a specific-colored cover matching the many PSP variations available. The North American kit released in December 2008 was supplied with two new covers; one black and one silver.
Revisions PSP-2000 Slot on a
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII edition PSP Slim The PSP-2000, marketed in PAL countries as the "PSP Slim & Lite", is the first redesign of the PlayStation Portable. The PSP-2000 system is slimmer and lighter than the original PSP, reduced from and from . At
E3 2007, Sony released information about a slimmer and lighter version for the device, which was first released in Hong Kong on August 30, 2007, in Europe on , in North America on , in South Korea on , and in Australia on . The UK release for the PSP-2000 was September 14. The serial port was modified to accommodate a new video-out feature, making it incompatible with older PSP remote controls. On the PSP-2000, games only output to external monitors and televisions in
progressive scan mode. Non-game video outputs work in either progressive or
interlaced mode. USB charging was introduced and the D-Pad was raised in response to complaints of poor performance, and the responsiveness of the buttons was improved. Other changes include improved
WLAN modules and
micro-controller, and a thinner, brighter
LCD screen. To improve the poor loading times of UMD games on the original PSP, the internal memory (
RAM and
Flash ROM) was doubled from 32 MB to 64 MB, part of which now acting as a cache, also improving the web browser's performance.
PSP-3000 In comparison with the PSP-2000, the 3000, marketed in PAL areas as "PSP Slim & Lite" or "PSP Brite", has an improved LCD screen with an increased color range, five times the contrast ratio, a halved
pixel response time, new sub-pixel structure, and anti-reflective technology to reduce outdoor glare. The disc tray, logos, and buttons were all redesigned, and a microphone was added. Games could now be output in either
component or
composite video using the
video-out cable. One outlet called this model "a minor upgrade". The PSP-3000 was released in North America on October 14, 2008, in Japan on , in Europe on , and in Australia on . In its first four days on sale in Japan, the PSP-3000 sold over 141,270 units, according to
Famitsu; it sold 267,000 units during October. On its release, a problem with interlacing when objects were in motion on the PSP-3000 screen was noticed. Sony announced this problem would not be fixed.
PSP Go (N1000) The PSP Go (model PSP-N1000) was released on October 1, 2009, in North American and European territories, and on October 31 in Japan. It was revealed prior to
E3 2009 through Sony's
Qore video on demand service. Its design is significantly different from other PSP models. Its rechargeable battery is not intended to be removed by the user. It has a 480 × 272 pixel
LCD screen, which slides up to reveal the main controls. The overall shape and sliding mechanism are similar to those of Sony's
mylo COM-2 Internet device. The PSP Go features
802.11b Wi-Fi like its predecessors, although the USB port was replaced with a proprietary connector. A compatible cable that connects to other devices' USB ports is included with the unit. The new multi-use connector allows video and sound output with the same connector using an optional
composite or
component AV cable. As with previous models, Sony also offers a cradle (PSP-N340) which enables the playing of games using a
Sixaxis or
DualShock 3 controller. The use of the cradle with the controller allow players to use the PSP Go as a portable device and as a console, although the output is not upscaled. PlayStation 1 games can be played in full screen using the AV/component cable or the
Windows-based software
Media Go. All downloadable PSP and PlayStation games available for older PSP models are compatible with the PSP Go. Sony confirmed that almost all UMD-based PSP games released after October 1, 2009, would be available to download and that most older UMD-only games would also be downloadable. In February 2010, it was reported that Sony might re-launch the PSP Go due to the lack of consumer interest and poor sales. In June 2010, Sony began bundling the console with 10 free downloadable games; the same offer was made available in Australia in July. Three free games for the PSP Go were offered in America. In October that year, Sony announced it would reduce the price of the unit. On April 20, 2011, the manufacturer announced that the PSP Go would be discontinued outside of North America so it could concentrate on the
PlayStation Vita.
PSP Street (E1000) The PSP-E1000, which was announced at
Gamescom 2011, is a budget-focused model that was released across the
PAL region on October 26 of that year. The E1000 model lacks Wi-Fi capability and has a matte finish similar to that of the slim PlayStation 3. This model also lacked the physical brightness buttons from the front of the handheld, instead offering brightness controls in the System Software's 'Power Save Settings' menu. An ice-white version was released in PAL territories on July 20, 2012.
Bundles and colors The PSP was sold in four main configurations. The Base Pack, called the Core Pack in North America, contained the console, a battery, and an AC adapter. This version was available at launch in Japan Many limited editions of the PSP were bundled with accessories, games, or movies. The first two initial releases of the Slims in North America were both on September 10, 2007, were the Daxter PSP. Included with the bundle was an Ice Silver PSP with a Daxter UMD, the Family Guy : Freaking Sweet Collection, and a 1 GB Memory Stick for usage. The other was a Piano Black Only PSP Limited-edition models were first released in Japan on September 12, 2007; North America and Europe on September 5; in Australia on September 12, and in the UK on October 26. The PSP-2000 was made available in piano black, ceramic white, ice silver, mint green, felicia blue, lavender purple, deep red, matte bronze, metallic blue, and rose pink as standard colors. Several special-edition consoles were colored and finished to sell with certain games, including
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (ice silver engraved),
Star Ocean: First Departure (felicia blue engraved),
Gundam (red gloss/matte black), and
Monster Hunter Freedom (gold silkscreened) in Japan,
Star Wars (Darth Vader silkscreened), and
God of War: Chains of Olympus (Kratos silkscreened) in North America,
The Simpsons (bright yellow with white buttons, analog and disc tray) in Australia and New Zealand, The
Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy Cosmos & Chaos edition that was released on March 3, 2011, has an Amano artwork as the PSP's face plate.
Comparison Below is a comparison of the different PlayStation Portable models: == Software ==