it sounds like your new to the psp scene, so I would suggest going to the wiki links that got posted here if you havn't already.
Firmware is Sony's way of giving you new features to use(internet, music visualizer, etc), but it also's fixes holes in said firmware, which stops you from using software(homebrew/homemade) that sony cant charge you for.
The bottom line is that if you want to run everything that gets released by Sony and free software that gets made by the public, then get yourself a psp that has 2.8, then downgrade it. There is then software that is available free of charge to use on a < 2.8 firmware, which allows you to 'emulate' the new firmware. This gives you all the latest features that sony have released as well as the ability to run hombrew on the same system.
In the future, if you manage to get a psp that can run homebrew and you want to keep it that way, dont use official sony updates(via network update, updates on umd).
EmuChicken, what do you include exactly with these used psps, original boxes, 32mb stick etc.
I am very interested, as I want to start my own psp projects and need one that is cheap so I don't care if I brick it with software or mods(second analog nub etc)
Cheers
I hope that answers your question, this whole post of mine is a bit pointless, since you can just do what everyone else does, look on the internet(google, forums, etc.).
There is so much information out there concerning this topic, you will start to ask yourself why you didn't just look for it yourself, instead of waiting for days for a reply that might not even answer your question.
Good luck.
Long post I know,but im bored and some people need telling twice, in detail, like me(as Horace and FOL have found out).
- most likely the look on their faces after talking to me for a bit.