Miniature Computer

• Essentially, a handheld gaming device is a miniature computer with a specialized function. This is particularly true in the case of the PSP (PlayStation Portable), which has the capacity to network with large PlayStation consoles, other PSPs, and connect to the internet.
  
  

Central Parts

• Like the earliest of video gaming consoles, the PSP's central parts consist of a CPU or central processing unit (a machine which executes computer programs), a graphics and image processor, and an audio processor. These programs execute program, sound, and image files contained on game discs (with the program files accessing the image, video, and sound files).
  
  

Non-Gaming Functions

• The Sony PSP features a number of non-gaming functions which operate in much the same way they do in the programing and construction of a smartphone device. With the purchase of add-on packages the device has the capability for wireless Internet access and phone service, though the latter is achieved through the former using a VOIP service (voice over internet protocall where phone signals are sent through internet signal).
  
  

Power

• When portable, the PSP is powered by an 1800 ampere-hour battery (or mAH). This battery provides several hours of gameplay, is rechargeable, and does not require discharging in order to be charged.
  
  

User Interface

• The PSP is operated through the use of gamepad controls. Gamepad style video game controls are the most common type of game controller and work by sending specific electrical signals to the device's CPU based on what control buttons are being pressed. These signals translate into different functions based on what programs are currently running and how these programs are written to interprete them.