The PSP-2000 is considered the best of the PSP family by many. Not only is it slimmer and lighter than the PSP-1000, ditching the unnecessary (but cool) spring-loaded drive tray of the 1000, but it also features a component A/V output so you can play your games on your TV (assuming your TV supports at least 480p). It isn't quite as rugged as the 1000 overall, and it doesn't feature the built-in microphone of the PSP-3000, but it has an overall nicer build quality than the 3000; the 3000 feels just a bit cheaper than the 2000. The bezel on the 3000's screen protector sometimes causes the edges of the screen to appear overly bright due to transparent plastic causing reflected light, but that's not a problem with the 2000--brightness is nearly uniform across the entire screen since the bezel is more opaque. Most importantly, the PSP-3000 made one very divisive change--the refresh rate on the PSP-3000's screen was improved, but at the cost of introducing heavy amounts of interlacing. The PSP-2000's screen doesn't have the interlacing of the 3000; instead, it has a bit of motion blur, especially when high-contrast colors are on-screen. Some people don't mind the interlacing on the PSP-3000 at all; others, like me, can't stand it, and swear by the PSP-2000's screen. (The best screen in the family belongs to the PSP Go, which has neither motion blur nor interlacing. It's a shame that this type of screen didn't make it to the "primary" model of PSP.)As for the basics:The PSP-2000, like the 1000 and 3000, uses UMD-format discs for retail games, and supports downloadable games from Sony's online store. It has no onboard storage memory, but has a port for a Memory Stick Duo, which can be used to hold game saves, downloaded games, and multimedia content (like MP3s). It also has a USB port to allow easy connectivity to your PC; the USB port can also be used to attach a proprietary PSP camera. It has a standard 2.5mm headphone jack (headphones not included). Battery life is not especially high, averaging between 3 - 5 hours a charge. (It recharges fairly quickly, though.) It also has built-in Wi-Fi, which can be used for online gaming, downloading content, or using the built-in Web browser. The PSP is also one of the first consoles (handheld or otherwise) to support updates for its operating software; updating your OS will allow access to more features, and many retail games will only run on certain software versions or higher. (Note that many people deliberately buy older PSPs so they can install custom firmware, which allows for playback of software not supported by Sony.)Despite mobile technology improving by leaps and bounds since its launch, the PSP still has a very devoted following, and for good reason--it's an objectively impressive piece of hardware, especially by 2005 standards, and has a strong library of games. If you're a collector/completionist, you need a PSP. If you want something to play on-the-go, but mobile phone games don't cut it, the PSP is still a good consideration, despite its age.

I'm reviewing this product with a unique angle. I have an original 1.50 FW PSP that I never upgrade because I use it exclusively for homebrew. I basically ignored firmware updates, and as a result I wasn't able to play any new games that were released for the PSP. Yes there are workarounds, but I got tired of relying on custom firwares and other applications which always run the risk of bricking your system. Yeah there are now unbricking methods and such, but honestly I got tired of the hassel. When I first heard that this new style PSP was coming out, I got pretty excited because I was thinking about getting another one anyway. While the new features and everything truly aren't much better than the original, this is a great way to go if you have an old PSP that you want to keep exclusive for homebrew. Not only do I now have a permanent homebrew enabled system that will never be modded, flashed or tampered with again, but I also have a system that can stay up to date with the latest firmware updates, play any released PSP game, and I can utilize the PS3 connectivity features, which are becoming better and better over time. The issues of poor quality are pretty overrated, and I think it's mainly because people don't know how to take care of their stuff correctly. I use mine daily and it's in pristine condition. Want to know how? Well, to get maximum enjoyment out of this thing, I heavily recommend before even playing it, you also purchase the following:1) a hori screen protector (comes with a microfiber cloth, which is essential for removing fingerprints)2) a fully enclosed zipper case (something that keeps the thing FULLY protected when not in use. There aren't that many good ones, but I did find a decent one at best buy that holds the system and 4 UMDs)3) a 4GB sandisc (NOT sony) memory stick (I got a huge deal on one of these for $35 on black Friday, best deal I have ever seen. 4GB is enough to do almost anything with)4) a nice pair of in-ear earphones (I got a pair of v-moda vibes for about $100 and they make everything sound amazing. A good pair of earphones truly enhances the gaming experience)The new PSP coupled with those four things have given me a system that gets more appreciation (and use by the way) than my 360, PS3, or even homebrew-dedicated PSP. It's great knowing my homebrew is always there if I need it, but it's also great to be able to keep up to speed with all the newest updates, capabilities, and features. The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is because you have to buy those four things separately. Cost me an extra $150-$160 (shave about $100 off that if you can live without the earphones) but in my opinion, WELL worth it.

Excellent product, amazing graphics and portability. With the new (legal) firmware update from Sony you now have the ability to listen to crystal clear internet radio through your PSP with dozens of stations to choose from, I think this is my favorite feature. New with the PSP 2K (SLIM) is the ability to watch movies and play your music through your television set with a set of AV cables sold separately. Also with the update, you can play music while viewing a slide show from your photos folder which is pretty neat. You can also play games through your set if you have a progressive scan TV and a set or RGB cables also sold separately. Internet browsing is sufficient for light duty surfing and the GUI is fairly intuitive and easy to use. B/c this console has been out so long there are many aftermarket items for purchase and plenty of used games to be had at half their original price. I recommend a 4GB memory stick for this as game saves, music, and the ability to save movies on your stick will eat up memory in a hurry. Loading times are decent and internet connectivity on par with the latest wireless devices. Only downsides I see is that the surface of this unit is very easy to scratch, but you can buy protectors for that. Not necessarily a downside, but I'm wondering why in a world of Draft N wireless and quad core processors this unit with it's latest update is still using 802.11b and a 333 mhz processor. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a portable game console that's more of a jack of all trades; Games, Movies, Music, Photos, and Internet, what more could you ask for in something at this price point that fits in the palms of your hands. Cheers.