So before I do another Tech Talks post, this is something I've been wanting to do for a while, and now that I've at least used all PSP models I think I'm in a good position to talk about all of them. I'll detail the pros and cons of each model with a summary paragraph about each.
PSP 1000
Pros:
- Bulkier build, preferable for some
Cons:
- 32MB RAM (vs. 64MB in later models)
- Screen "ghosting"
- No USB charging
- No TV output
We'll start right off the bat with the original PSP-1000. The PSP 1000 (1K) is known as the "fat" PSP by many players. It was the very first PSP model released, which is a good and a bad thing. It is the least "portable" of them all, being 23mm thick and 280g in weight (though some find the extra chunkiness better to hold) but it is also easy to see why many still like it. It is the original PSP and some prefer the weightiness of the fat models. However, it is important to note its objective disadvantages. The 1K's screen suffers from a ghosting problem, where slow response time makes our eyes perceive a blurriness particularly in motion. The 1K also has half the RAM of any other model, with 32MB; fortunately, this is not a problem in games as games are restricted to using just 32MB. However, later models use the extra memory as a cache for UMDs, improving load times, and the memory also noticeably improves the web browser. Some homebrew programs also rely on the extra memory of later models, but it isn't a deal breaker most of the time. It does eschew some later model features like USB charging but it is a perfectly functional PSP model and still a favourite for many PSP fans.
PSP 2000
Pros:
- Good screen
- Thinner and lighter
Cons:
- "Cheaper" feel (vs 1000)
- Video output in-game limited to 480p (240p for PS1)
Another fan favourite, the PSP 2000 is a good middle ground between the 1K and 3K, which has a screen which is less problematic than either of the aforementioned models. It sheds a lot of weight, clocking in at almost 100 grams less (189g) and being ~5mm thinner (18.6mm). The 2000 also changed the serial port to accommodate a new TV output mode with official video cables. This supports 240p, 480i and 480p, very ideal for watching movies or playing PS1 games at 240p. However, PSP games - which are 272p - are letterboxed (ie. surrounded with a black border) and require zooming in for a full screen picture, and on the PSP-2000 games must use the 480p mode (though videos/pictures can use 480i).
The screen was much improved, fixing the ghosting on the 1000 and making the screen much brighter overall. It was overall a good, if imperfect, upgrade over the 1000.
PSP 3000
Pros:
- Vibrant screen
- Small redesigns
- Microphone
Cons:
- "Interlacing" or "scanline" screen issue
The PSP 3000 was not as significant an improvement as the 2000 and is seen in a slightly less positive light by some due to a widely known screen issue. The 3000 received touchups around the place such as a reworked disc tray, as well as allowing games to use 480i in TV mode, opening up more use for composite cables or CRT TVs. The 3000 even received a screen with improved anti-glare and an increased colour gamut, with 5x the contrast ratio. The screen, however, was subjected to a notorious "scanline" issue; the screen could sometimes be plagued by interlacing like artefacts, most noticeable in motion. This is a bug with the screen, and Sony were powerless to fix this issue. It's a solid model, and one many will recommend; but the scanline issues irk others and as such, some would say a 2000 is a safer bet.
PSP Go
Pros:
- PS3 controller support via Bluetooth
- Compact design
- Best screen
- 16GB internal storage
- Convenient all-in-one USB and charging cable
- Official "dock" for playing on TV and charging
- Ability to "Pause" game (like a save state)
Cons:
- No UMD drive
- Battery not removable
- More cramped controls
- Proprietary memory stick and cable
Written off as "the digital one", the PSP Go's popularity has risen since its initial commercial failure. Released in 2009, the PSP Go (aka the PSP N1000) was a significantly more compact version of the PSP that was arguably too ahead of its time for its own good. Featuring support for wireless PS3 controllers, a flawless, sharper screen along with a more pocket friendly design, the Go looked good on paper; but at the time, the lack of UMDs disappointed. The PSP Go could be played with folded out controls like a normal PSP, or it could be folded and played similar to Switch's "tabletop mode" with connected DualShock 3s, or it could be "docked" and connected to a TV with a controller.. I'm sure you see the pattern anyway. It had 16GB of internal memory (expandable) to try and offset the lack of a UMD drive, but it faced problems. First, PSP didn't support WPA2 like modern routers - only WEP and WPA. This meant that you needed to use a less secure router or an open hotspot to use the internet or download anything. Secondly, the controls were smaller and led to cramps for some; connecting a DualShock 3 worked, but you needed a PS3 (or MotioninJoy, unofficially) to sync the two, and not everyone had one available. Still, the concept was fascinating and it has been gaining traction since its doom as a go-to, pocket friendly homebrew device.
PSP Street
Pros:
- Matte design - better fingerprint resistance, doesn't get dirty easily
- Best out-of-box battery life
- Good screen
Cons:
- No AdHoc or WiFi
- One speaker
- Non-removable battery
Perhaps the most interesting model of all in its own way, the PSP Street (aka PSP E1000) was Sony's last PSP model as a budget friendly device in anticipation of the PS Vita. It cut out WiFi as many services were shutting down anyway, and it stripped off one speaker. The absence of AdHoc is a shame as well, but this comes with a lack of any wireless. However, I'd like to point out that the PSP Street still has perfectly fine mono sound with speakers, and supports stereo audio as normal via headphones. What's funny is that the Street's screen is actually quite good - without the issues of the 1000/3000, with Eurogamer saying it was "easily" ahead of the 3000, with more vibrancy and no ghosting compared to the 1000. The Street also has a battery life advantage as a result of the stripped wireless and speaker, but the battery isn't removable, making the Street a very mixed bag.
Conclusion
So, what's the best PSP? It all comes down to preference. Some people will say the PSP 1000 because of its premium, bulky feel. Some people will say the PSP 2000 because of its improvements over the 1000 without the issues of the 3000 or feature cuts in the E1000. Some will say the 3000 because of its vibrant screen. Some will say the Go because of its form factor, screen and controller connectivity. Some will say the PS Vita with Adrenaline is the best PSP! Regardless, it is entirely subjective which is the "best", as there is no one perfect model; all of them have pros and cons, and that's the bottom line with all PSPs.
PSP 1000
Pros:
- Bulkier build, preferable for some
Cons:
- 32MB RAM (vs. 64MB in later models)
- Screen "ghosting"
- No USB charging
- No TV output
We'll start right off the bat with the original PSP-1000. The PSP 1000 (1K) is known as the "fat" PSP by many players. It was the very first PSP model released, which is a good and a bad thing. It is the least "portable" of them all, being 23mm thick and 280g in weight (though some find the extra chunkiness better to hold) but it is also easy to see why many still like it. It is the original PSP and some prefer the weightiness of the fat models. However, it is important to note its objective disadvantages. The 1K's screen suffers from a ghosting problem, where slow response time makes our eyes perceive a blurriness particularly in motion. The 1K also has half the RAM of any other model, with 32MB; fortunately, this is not a problem in games as games are restricted to using just 32MB. However, later models use the extra memory as a cache for UMDs, improving load times, and the memory also noticeably improves the web browser. Some homebrew programs also rely on the extra memory of later models, but it isn't a deal breaker most of the time. It does eschew some later model features like USB charging but it is a perfectly functional PSP model and still a favourite for many PSP fans.
PSP 2000
Pros:
- Good screen
- Thinner and lighter
Cons:
- "Cheaper" feel (vs 1000)
- Video output in-game limited to 480p (240p for PS1)
Another fan favourite, the PSP 2000 is a good middle ground between the 1K and 3K, which has a screen which is less problematic than either of the aforementioned models. It sheds a lot of weight, clocking in at almost 100 grams less (189g) and being ~5mm thinner (18.6mm). The 2000 also changed the serial port to accommodate a new TV output mode with official video cables. This supports 240p, 480i and 480p, very ideal for watching movies or playing PS1 games at 240p. However, PSP games - which are 272p - are letterboxed (ie. surrounded with a black border) and require zooming in for a full screen picture, and on the PSP-2000 games must use the 480p mode (though videos/pictures can use 480i).
The screen was much improved, fixing the ghosting on the 1000 and making the screen much brighter overall. It was overall a good, if imperfect, upgrade over the 1000.
PSP 3000
Pros:
- Vibrant screen
- Small redesigns
- Microphone
Cons:
- "Interlacing" or "scanline" screen issue
The PSP 3000 was not as significant an improvement as the 2000 and is seen in a slightly less positive light by some due to a widely known screen issue. The 3000 received touchups around the place such as a reworked disc tray, as well as allowing games to use 480i in TV mode, opening up more use for composite cables or CRT TVs. The 3000 even received a screen with improved anti-glare and an increased colour gamut, with 5x the contrast ratio. The screen, however, was subjected to a notorious "scanline" issue; the screen could sometimes be plagued by interlacing like artefacts, most noticeable in motion. This is a bug with the screen, and Sony were powerless to fix this issue. It's a solid model, and one many will recommend; but the scanline issues irk others and as such, some would say a 2000 is a safer bet.
PSP Go
Pros:
- PS3 controller support via Bluetooth
- Compact design
- Best screen
- 16GB internal storage
- Convenient all-in-one USB and charging cable
- Official "dock" for playing on TV and charging
- Ability to "Pause" game (like a save state)
Cons:
- No UMD drive
- Battery not removable
- More cramped controls
- Proprietary memory stick and cable
Written off as "the digital one", the PSP Go's popularity has risen since its initial commercial failure. Released in 2009, the PSP Go (aka the PSP N1000) was a significantly more compact version of the PSP that was arguably too ahead of its time for its own good. Featuring support for wireless PS3 controllers, a flawless, sharper screen along with a more pocket friendly design, the Go looked good on paper; but at the time, the lack of UMDs disappointed. The PSP Go could be played with folded out controls like a normal PSP, or it could be folded and played similar to Switch's "tabletop mode" with connected DualShock 3s, or it could be "docked" and connected to a TV with a controller.. I'm sure you see the pattern anyway. It had 16GB of internal memory (expandable) to try and offset the lack of a UMD drive, but it faced problems. First, PSP didn't support WPA2 like modern routers - only WEP and WPA. This meant that you needed to use a less secure router or an open hotspot to use the internet or download anything. Secondly, the controls were smaller and led to cramps for some; connecting a DualShock 3 worked, but you needed a PS3 (or MotioninJoy, unofficially) to sync the two, and not everyone had one available. Still, the concept was fascinating and it has been gaining traction since its doom as a go-to, pocket friendly homebrew device.
PSP Street
Pros:
- Matte design - better fingerprint resistance, doesn't get dirty easily
- Best out-of-box battery life
- Good screen
Cons:
- No AdHoc or WiFi
- One speaker
- Non-removable battery
Perhaps the most interesting model of all in its own way, the PSP Street (aka PSP E1000) was Sony's last PSP model as a budget friendly device in anticipation of the PS Vita. It cut out WiFi as many services were shutting down anyway, and it stripped off one speaker. The absence of AdHoc is a shame as well, but this comes with a lack of any wireless. However, I'd like to point out that the PSP Street still has perfectly fine mono sound with speakers, and supports stereo audio as normal via headphones. What's funny is that the Street's screen is actually quite good - without the issues of the 1000/3000, with Eurogamer saying it was "easily" ahead of the 3000, with more vibrancy and no ghosting compared to the 1000. The Street also has a battery life advantage as a result of the stripped wireless and speaker, but the battery isn't removable, making the Street a very mixed bag.
Conclusion
So, what's the best PSP? It all comes down to preference. Some people will say the PSP 1000 because of its premium, bulky feel. Some people will say the PSP 2000 because of its improvements over the 1000 without the issues of the 3000 or feature cuts in the E1000. Some will say the 3000 because of its vibrant screen. Some will say the Go because of its form factor, screen and controller connectivity. Some will say the PS Vita with Adrenaline is the best PSP! Regardless, it is entirely subjective which is the "best", as there is no one perfect model; all of them have pros and cons, and that's the bottom line with all PSPs.
