Written by Matt Swider  on October 23, 2007

Specials: 33% more likely to fit this in my pocket and not get asked questions.

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PlayStation Portable went on a much needed diet in September, two and a half years after Sony launched the original handheld unit. The slimmer, lighter SKU, often referred to as PSP-2000 because of the numbering scheme on new model, still plays all PSP games. It just packs some extra features into its new design in addition to unpacking extra weight.

The first noticeable difference between the old and new PSP designs is that the system is now remarkably lighter. To be exact, it's 33% lighter than before. Think back to when the PS3 launched and you held the SixAxis in your hands for the first time. It was light as a feather compared to the DualShock 2, right? That's kind of how PSP-2000 feels. For those who own an original PSP, even if you took out its weight battery pack, it still wouldn't compare to what's out now.


PSP-2000 is also 19% slimmer, which is fairly noticeable in a side-by-side comparison to the original. It's not as big of an impact as the weight, but it's exactly what we want from a handheld gaming machine and multimedia device these days. In its effort to slim down, the new PSP's the wireless LAN switch is now on the top of the unit and the disc tray has to be opened manually.

Flicking the disc tray open with your fingers feels a little cheaper than using the original's auto-eject switch. However, the compact cause for this change is more than justified. Overall, this model's impressive form factor would've been nice to have at launch, but I guess it's better late than never.


A video-out display is another feature everyone wanted from the beginning, and now it's possible with PSP-2000. Sold separately, progressive scan cables (or a component set if you're living in 2000 in addition to buying a 2000) push the system's display television. This is ideal for gaming on a big-screen TV at 480 x 272 resolution and watching UMD movies up to a 720 x 480 resolution.

The Universal Media Disc wouldn't have been such a hard sell to consumers if this option was possible and prices were more reasonable from the beginning. At least we can finally enjoy our free Spider-Man 2 UMD on the big screen.


PSP-1000 vs. PSP-2000 doesn't seem like a fair fight, but there are two areas in which I like the original over its newer counterpart. The 2005 launch model that I got had a fabric case and a non-lint cloth for cleaning the screen off. Of course, I still have them lying around, so my new PSP is protected from scratches thanks to the case and smudge-free thanks the handy cloth. But, for new PSP Slim & Lite owners, it's a cheap extra that's missed in the newer bundles.

PSP-2000 remains head and shoulders above its two and a half year old bigger brother, bringing it down to a manageable weight and size so that you want to carry it with you and game on the go. With a little bit of a shinier plastic shell, it's sexier than before like a good Sony gadget should be. More importantly, with the incredibly useful video-out PSP allows gamers to experience something unique that the innovative DS does not.