PSP Specification

Sony's PlayStation Portable is the most powerful handheld game console so far, but it is also the largest and heaviest (though the Nintendo DS is larger overall when open). It's also the nicest looking, with a sleek, rounded industrial design aesthetic. The button configuration matches that of its big brother, the PlayStation 2, except the PSP only has one shoulder button on each side and has only a single analog nub instead of the PS2's dual sticks.

PSP's Sights and Sounds

The PSP's screen is larger than that of other handhelds, with a higher resolution, so playing games and even watching movies is a visual feast. The stereo sound isn't especially loud through the built-in speakers (third-party manufacturers offer small external speakers to make up for it), but with headphones on you can hear every sound effect and crank up the volume to buffet your eardrums.

Multimedia for PSP

Games and movies are available on Sony's UMD (Universal Media Disc) format, which is -- Sony says -- DVD quality. There is also a Memory Stick slot for a Memory Stick Duo or Pro Duo. The PSP can play back audio and video saved on a PSP-formatted Memory Stick, and can display saved photos or other image files. Each firmware update supports more audio, graphics, and video formats, expanding the possibilities

PSP Power

A lithium-ion battery pack offers a decent length of play time (playing graphics-intensive games or movies will drain the battery faster than playing music with the screen dark) -- just don't expect it to last as long as your Gameboy without recharging. The AC adaptor, of course, allows you to play and charge the battery at the same time.

PSP Hardware Specifications

Here's all the technical info about just what the PSP has inside and out.

• Color:
  • black
  • ceramic white (Japan and Europe only)
  • pink (Europe only)
  • Tsukimi -- black with copper (Japan only)
  • Kachofugetsu -- white with black and red (Japan only)
• Dimensions: 6.7"/170 mm wide x 2.9"/74 mm high x .9"/23 mm deep
• Weight: .62 lbs/280 g (including battery)
• CPU: PSP CPU (1-333 MHz)
• Memory:
  • 32 MB Main Memory
  • 4 MB embedded DRAM
• Display:
  • 4.3", 16:9 widescreen TFT LCD screen
  • 480 x 272 pixels
  • 16.77 million colors
  • maximum luminance 180/130/80 cd/m2 (when using battery pack)
  • maximum luminance 200/180/130/ 80 cd/m2 (when using AC adaptor)
• Sound:
  • built-in stereo speakers
  • headset connector
• Connectors, Ports and Drives:
  • IEEE 802.11b (Wi-Fi)
  • USB 2.0 (mini-B)
  • Memory Stick Duo
  • infrared
  • DC in 5 V connector
  • headset connector
  • UMD drive (Read only)
• Buttons and Switches:
  • d-pad
  • analog nub
  • triangle, circle, cross, square
  • right and left shoulder
  • Start, Select, and Home
  • Power/Hold
  • display brightness, sound, volume up, volume down
  • wireless LAN on/off
  • UMD latch
• Power:
  • lithium-ion battery
  • AC adaptor
• Access control:
  • UMD region coding
  • parental control

UMD (Universal Media Disc) Specifications

• Dimensions:
  • 65 mm tall x 64 mm wide x 4.2 mm deep
  • 60 mm disc diameter
• Weight: 10 g
• Capacity: 1.8 GB (single-sided, dual layer)
• Wavelength: 660 nm (red laser)
• Encryption: AES 128-bit

(Source: Sony Computer Entertainment.)