I, like a lot of other people, think that it really depends on what your own personal preferences are.

I got my 3000 as part of the Dissidia bundle and before I did that, I comparison shopped between the different models of PSPs out available including ones that aren't being sold anymore except second hand (the old models) and the Go.

The reason I chose the 3000 over the Go is because of these reasons:

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- I don't like downloading everything.

Other people might, but I don't. I like having my physical games/cartridges/discs. Maybe I'm just weird in this way or just paranoid that something might go wrong in the download process or that I won't be able to transfer my downloads to another unit later on, etc. Either way, I don't like the idea of downloading large game files that are larger than the game files that are the PSOne releases on the PSN.

- I have a history of bad experiences with slider types of devices.

Other people might not and might love slider types, but I don't. I had a camera that turned on via the slider cover and I accidentally bumped it against a wall and the sliding function broke. I also had a slider phone and the slider part became loose and so my phone operated strangely ever since.

- I like bigger devices.

A lot of people like small because it means it's more portable. Personally, the smaller something is (iPod shuffle clip on freaked me out when I saw it because I was sure it would get lost in a matter of days or squashed or tossed in the laundry by accident because of it's tiny size) the more concern I have with it being 'too delicate'. Combined with the sliding function, I was definitely concerned about the Go's durability.

- I like replaceable batteries.

Batteries will die eventually. Usually for all of my electronics, the batteries give out before the actual unit does, which means I end up replacing the battery which gives me a longer unit life until the unit itself finally craps out.

You can't replace the battery on the Go and I anticipated that my PSP would last me longer than a battery would and therefore hated the idea of having to get a new PSP unit because the battery eventually died on me before the unit was ready to go.

Also, the anti-piracy reasons behind the non-replaceable battery made me grumpy. I'm all for anti-piracy, BUT I DO want the ability to replace my old battery with a legitimate non-hacking fresh one, thank you!

- I like the shape of the 3000 better.

Some people have said that the controls are situated in a somewhat awkward way, but I found nothing awkward about it at all - with or without using a case. I use a Logitech case for my PSP and it gives me the perfect shape and size to play my PSP while keeping my PSP tucked away.

The Go is smaller, which is great for some people, but not for me. My hands felt a bit too cramped together.

- I like being able to control how much 'space' my PSP has and have little to no use for onboard storage.

I'm one of those guys who custom-builds his own computers so I like being able to control how much memory/storage space I have on my PSP unit via Memory Sticks. I'm not the sort who would take advantage over greater onboard locked-in memory space (which the Go has as a feature) simply because I don't necessarily trust the unit to not go funky with the onboard storage. Unit goes funky, storage goes funky. Storage goes funky, unit goes funky. I guess I just like the customizability aspect related to that in being able to separate everything out and do potential damage and inventory control that way.

ALSO...

- I like being able to use my pre-existing Memory Sticks!

I already own MS Pro Duos because I already owned Sony products that used such items. Not having to buy new more Sony-only proprietary media storage was certainly a plus.

In addition to that...

- I like using Memory Sticks to order my PSP-related content.

This is related to the earlier point about me not having too much use for onboard storage.

I'm one of those people who has a pretty huge music collection, video collection, and I intend to get a bunch of PSOne games from the PSN (already got three!) in addition to my UMD games.

Being able to part everything out into different Memory Sticks is both helpful and helps keep potential problems from being situated all in one place as it offers me damage control and inventory control.

Granted, you can do the same for the PSP Go, but the 16 Gigs of main onboard memory is one of the reasons for the heftier price tag and it's to help DECREASE the need to part everything out into sticks.

For me, it's kind of backwards to go with something that is more expensive and offers more onboard storage that I will never have much use for because I will part everything out into sticks anyways.

>>>>>

Despite all these points, I DID and still DO like the concept of the Go. (Amazing considering everything I just said!)

Here are the pros (some of which were also my cons):

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- It's smaller and more portable

Great for being on the go, literally, and takes up less room!

- It has a larger onboard memory/storage capacity which means fewer Memory Sticks

Memory Sticks aren't the cheapest media storage options available. The fewer one has to buy the better.

- It doesn't need UMDs which means fewer odds and ends to contend with and fewer cases for loose UMDs

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You all make me feel ooooold. Thanks a lot. LOL

But, no. PSPs of any sort aren't exactly 'cheap toys' in my book and I'm proud to say that I earned every penny I spent on my PSP 3000 and I don't feel embarrassed to be seen playing my PSP out in public.

Besides the games I get to play on it, I also can futz around with music, videos, and the 'net.

Pretty neat if you ask me.

And no, I'm not embarrassed to be seen with my DS Lite, either, even though I see more and more little kids with DSes.

Here I am...

... and you all know what I'm going to say... I LOVE threads which ask this because I can say without fear of reprisal from mods or forum regulars, that I absolutely love "REEL FISHING"... specifically the PSOne download most of all, but "REEL FISHING: The Great Outdoors" is a worthy title in the series too. I have played them all on the consoles and I now have both versions which function on the PSP, I waste an entire battery charge playing it sometimes... it's the perfect mellow-out game after all of the break-neck paced titles and a welcome sorbet after crazy shooting and fighting wears you down. If you fish, you'll be better at the game right out of the gate, but there are a lot of tips and suggestions in the game and it's documentation which will have you landin' the bigguns... there's no timer, no points, no way to neccesarily "lose"... but there are quotas and objectives which unlock other locations and tackle choices for bigger and harder to land fish, it's just a quiet, Zen-like, cool game...

... try it before you laugh. It's only $6!

:D

Not for everyone, but oyu might find yourself suprised by how much you get into it if you give it a chance!

ston3henge