Definition: The PlayStation Portable, or PSP, is a handheld gaming console made by Sony. It was released in 2004 in Japan, and in 2005 in Europe and North America.

The PSP is primarily a game console (PSP games come in UMD, or Universal Media Disc, format), but it can also play UMD-format movies. Using a memory stick, the PSP can play music and video files, and display picture files such as photos. This portable console can also connect to the internet via a web browser (not incuded in early firmware releases) and built-in wi-fi.

As its name suggests, the PSP -- or PlayStation Portable -- is a smaller, lighter version of Sony's PlayStation. It's not as powerful as the PS2, but more powerful than the original PlayStation, and it has a built-in screen and speakers so you don't have to plug it in to anything to use it.

Sony has also announced an add-on camera and a GPS device for use with the PSP, expanding its capabilities even further.

Specifications *Color: oblack oceramic white (Japan and Europe only) opink (Europe only) oTsukimi -- black with copper (Japan only) oKachofugetsu -- 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: o32 MB Main Memory o4 MB embedded DRAM

*Display: o4.3", 16:9 widescreen TFT LCD screen o480 x 272 pixels o16.77 million colors omaximum luminance 180/130/80 cd/m2 (when using battery pack) omaximum luminance 200/180/130/ 80 cd/m2 (when using AC adaptor)

*Sound: obuilt-in stereo speakers oheadset connector *Connectors, Ports and Drives: oIEEE 802.11b (Wi-Fi) oUSB 2.0 (mini-B) oMemory Stick Duo oinfrared oDC in 5 V connector oheadset connector oUMD drive (Read only) *Buttons and Switches: od-pad oanalog nub otriangle, circle, cross, square oright and left shoulder oStart, Select, and Home oPower/Hold odisplay brightness, sound, volume up, volume down owireless LAN on/off oUMD latch

*Power: olithium-ion battery oAC adaptor

*Access control: oUMD region coding oparental control

What Does It All Mean? Basically, what all these fancy specs come down to is a kick-ass handheld gaming machine with amazing graphics for its size, that can also play movies and music, display photos and image files, surf the web and, with every new firmware release, even more cool stuff. Phew!

As for whether or not you should buy one . . . well, you'll have to decide for yourself, but I've never regretted buying mine.

For more details, visit my site PSP Downloads.

About the Author

Cher K Markov articles on various subjects and has a treasure chest of information and resources for you at http://www.onlinedownloads.org , http://online-downloads.blogspot.com and http://onlinedownloads.wordpress.com