Written on October 30, 2009 – 5:14 pm | by CoolGadgetConcept |

Before all the iPod touch (third generation) hype, considered to be a mobile gaming platform, there was a manufacturer with excellent sales within the portable game console. Many say that the iPod touch is not a true mobile gaming platform and I agree with them. The iPod touch can't be considered a true competitor for Sony Play Station Portable 3000 Series, or even the new Play Station Portable Go System. Sure, in terms of pricing, you pay more for an iPod touch (second generation) but you get more games for less money with the App Store, while the Play Station Systems are cheaper, with better gaming performances but expensive in time, because of the compatible game prices.

The Sony Play Station Portable 3000 Series sports almost the original design of the first version of the PSP. In terms of high lights this game console, allows you not only to play games, but also to listen to music, watch movies, and access the Internet. An important key feature is the excellent LCD. In terms of design, the Play Station Portable 3000 Series sports a nice Piano Black style including a semi glossy cover (it looks great and keeps away the fingerprints and scratches). Also, you get two status LEDs, the Power LED and the HOLD LED. This improves the quality appearance of this device. Both front side and back side sports the same Piano Black finish, with a nice silver metallic looking frame.

Overall, the PSP 3000 looks extremely nice, offers an excellent design, and even if this is a multimedia console it still includes a conservator look. The build quality is excellent, with no flex or noises when pressed. This device sports a solid build quality without any doubt. In terms of buttons and switches the PSP 3000 sports the directional buttons (mandatory for gaming and menu navigation, up, down, left and right), Power and Hold switch, the Start button, Home button, Select button, Enter keys (such as Square, Triangle, Cross, and Circle), analog stick, right shoulder button and left shoulder button, sound key, volume controls, display key, and the Wi-Fi switch. With a height of 2.9 inches, wide of 6.7 inches, deep of 0.9 inch, the Sony Play Station Portable 3000 Series weights about 189 grams or 0.42 lbs including the battery.

In the battery department Sony included in the PSP 3000 a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery with 1200 mAh, sufficient for over 25 hours of continuous audio playback, or 5 hours of video playback, or 4 to 6 hours of gaming (depending on the game played). However, you should always be prepared to charge your PSP 3000 at the end of the day (in case you are going to use all the features embedded). This battery should provide about 2 hours to 3 hours of autonomy if within an average usage, and even up to 250 hours of standby time.

In terms of connectivity Sony Play Station Portable 3000 Series includes the IEEE wireless communication with the 802.11 b, one mini - B 2.0 USB connection (type B USB connection means computer connection), an infrared port (why not a Bluetooth port is still a mystery) and a memory card slot (compatible with Memory Stick Duo memory cards). You also get the DC in jack and the headset jack. Sony included in the PSP 3000 a 4.3 inches TFT LCD with a 16 to 9 aspect ratio, a resolution of 480 x 272 pixels, capable of rendering 16.7 million colors, with a varying maximum brightness, from 200 / 180 / 130 /80 cd/m2 when plugged in to AC, and 180 / 130 / 80 cd/m2 when using the onboard rechargeable battery. The PSP 3000 also has stereo speakers for a better user experience, with an onboard memory of 64 MB, (expandable value using the memory card slot) and 4 MB DRAM memory.

Sony also completed the package with a CPU running at up to 333 MHz (varying speed starting from 1 MHz to a maximum 333 MHz). Also, the PSP 3000 sports a good security with the 128 bit AES encryption (however this is not the best security, a more recommended value would have been 256 bit encryption) from Magic Gate. The retail package only contains the game console, battery pack, and the mandatory charger. However, this is justifiable since the retail price of Sony Play Station Portable 3000 Series (PSP 98898) is only $169.99. The second portable game console from Sony, Play Station Portable Go System sports a higher price tag, but this is expected since is a newer product in Sony's portfolio.

Also, besides a new design, the PSP Go System brings several new high lights such as Bluetooth support, and 16 GB onboard memory (plus all the excellent key features from the PSP 3000). Sony advertises the PSP Go System as being an endless Entertainment solution, thanks to the Play Station Store opened 24/7 which is a great competition to the App Store and iTunes store, providing a secure way for you to download games, add-ons, free games, and other multimedia files. Extra points for Sony because is the first manufacturer to successfully deliver an excellent competitor to the Apple's iTunes store. The advertising campaign for the PSP Go System is rather bold, but excellent for our times, "go versatile, go digital, go anywhere".

In terms of design, the PSP Go is a slider game console. It's closed design resemblance the PSP 3000 design. Also it sports the same semi glossy body with either Black Piano or White Piano finish. The build quality is also solid. Therefore, both PSPs not only look great with a conservative yet modern design (the Piano Black finish), but also sport an excellent and solid build quality. Basically, all the keys on the PSP 3000 were included on the PSP Go, but under the sliding display. The connectivity is ensured by the Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 b, the USB 2.0 port, Bluetooth profile, Memory card slot (compatible with Memory Stick Duo), the DC in jack, and the headset connector.

Sony included in the Play Station Portable Go System a 3.8 inches wide screen TFT LCD with a 16 to 9 aspect rotation with a resolution of 480 x 272 pixels, capable of rendering up to 16.7 million colors. in terms of compatibility, the PSP Go System is a true milestone for Sony since you can use it to access your Play Station 3 over the Wi-Fi connection, and enjoy your full multimedia Library from the Play Station 3. The onboard memory, 16 GB is less then what iPod touch 3^rd generation has to offer, 32 GB and 64 GB.

Even so you can expand this value by using a memory card. The built in stereo speaker complete the user experience with excellent audio rendering. In the retail box Sony included beside the PSP Go System and the mandatory charger, the USB cable. The Play Station Portable Go System is offered at $249.99 price tag. As you might have noticed these price tags are very attractive. However, you have to be prepared to spend some money on accessories. For the PSP 3000, Sony offers the PSP headset with Remote for Skype for $29.99, the PSP UMD Case for $14.99, and the PSP Extended Life Battery Kit for $49.99.

The Memory Stick Pro memory cards vary in both capacity and price form the 1 GB value offered for $19.99, to 16 GB for $89.99. Sony also delivers some accessories for the PSP Go System, AC adaptor for $14.99, screen protective film for $9.99, cradle for $29.99, soft carrying case for $14.99, PSP Go component audio and video cable for $29.99 and the traveler case for $19.99. Overall, both PSP 3000 and PSP Go System are great mobile game consoles. However, it is wrong to say that they are cheaper than the iPod touch, because the reality is different.

Even if you chose to buy a PSP 3000 for $169.99, in order to get at least 16 GB (while the cheapest version of iPod touch includes 32 GB) you will still have to pay $89.99 over the basic price tag. Therefore, in the end is not about the price tags, since they are similar, but more about what you prefer to buy and own, a Sony portable multimedia console, or an Apple iPod touch. The choice is yours to make.