PSP Model Identification: 1000 vs 2000 vs 3000 vs Go vs E1000

Quick Identification

Model	Model Number	Serial Prefix	Key Visual ID	Screen	Video Out	USB
PSP-1000 (Fat)	PSP-100x	None (sticker)	Thick, curved, IR port	480x272, no contrast fix	Component (proprietary)	Mini-USB (device only)
PSP-2000 (Slim & Lite)	PSP-200x	M	Thin, flat, UMD door flush	Improved contrast	Component + Progressive	Mini-USB (host + device)
PSP-3000 (Brite)	PSP-300x	N	PS button oval, mic hole, ring	Anti-glare, wider gamut, scanlines	Component + Progressive	Mini-USB (host + device)
PSP-N1000 (Go)	PSP-N1000	G	Sliding screen, no UMD, 16GB internal	Same as 3000	TV Out via cradle	Proprietary (cradle)
PSP-E1000 (Street)	PSP-E1000	H	Matte, mono speaker, no Wi-Fi	Same as 3000	None	Mini-USB (device only)

Detailed Differentiation: 2000 vs 3000

Physical

PS Button: 2000 = Round; 3000 = Oval with PlayStation logo.
Microphone: 3000 has pinhole mic (left of PS button); 2000 does not.
Ring: 3000 has silver ring around UMD door; 2000 does not.
Weight: 2000 = 189g; 3000 = 193g (barely perceptible).
Colors: 2000: Piano Black, Ice Silver, Ceramic White, Felicia Blue, Mint Green, Pink, Lilac, Red. 3000: Piano Black, Pearl White, Vibrant Blue, Radiant Red, Spirited Green, Turquoise, Lilac, Pink.

Screen

2000: Improved response time vs 1000; some "scanline" artifact (horizontal lines).
3000: "Anti-glare" coating (matte), 5x contrast ratio, wider color gamut, but visible scanlines on solid colors — controversial.

Internal

RAM: Both 64 MB (32 MB main + 32 MB VRAM) — 1000 had 32+4.
Video Out: Both support Component (480p/576p) via proprietary cable.
USB Host: Both support keyboards, cameras, GPS, TV tuner.
TA-088v3 Motherboard (Late 2000/All 3000): Unhackable via Pandora — requires different CFW path.

Serial Number Location

Back of unit, below barcode sticker.
Battery compartment (remove battery).
Box label.
Format: Mxxxxxxxx (2000) or Nxxxxxxxx (3000).

CFW Compatibility Summary

1000 / 2000 (TA-085/088v1/2): Permanent CFW (Infinity, 6.61 PRO).
2000 (TA-088v3) / 3000 / Go: Temporary CFW (LME, PRO-C2) — reapplied on cold boot.
E1000: No CFW (no Wi-Fi for installer).

Recommendation: PSP-2000 (TA-085/088v1/2) = best balance of permanent CFW, screen quality, video out. PSP-3000 = best screen (subjective), temporary CFW only. Go = portable digital only. E1000 = avoid.

PSP Games