DS, DSi, DSLite - what are they?

[moajab]

Hi both my DSs have put DSs on their Christmas list and if that's not confusing enough for me I find there seem to be several different types! So what is the difference between a DS, a DS lite and a DSi? Can all games be played on all three? I am a total novice in such things!
Also can anyone tell me about refurbished DSs. They are much cheaper and if bought from a reputable source are they as good? Or are there some games which can't be played on them? Or do they have other problems?

DS the original large and gray/black.

DSLite smaller version comes in many colours.

DSi DS lite with added camera, GBA slot (for old Game Boy Advance games) replaced with slot for a media card to download online games from the DSIware service (which never really got off the ground and is all but dead).

DSi XL extra large version of the DSi for OAPs.

3DS the new 3D one out next year, has the power of a Gamecube, no silly specs needed, it uses a special screen, will be expensive.

The End (or is it?).

I brought DS a refurbished DSLite last year from game.co.uk
It came with a charger, case, spare stylus & headphones. So it was an even better bargain than I thought. Very pleased with it, looked fantastic when we got it and apart from the lack of packaging looks and feels like new.
So I would definately recommend the refurb route and use game.co.uk I have also brought DS & Wii refurb games from them, those come with the original packaging and please with them as well.

Refub games? LOL you mean second hand.

Man if you want a secondhand DS, Ebay is cheaper then GAME by a long way.

Wouldn't buy secondhand games on ebay tho half of em are fake.

Thank you everyone! I do feel that technology passes me by! Luckily the DSs are not such techno phobes! Will definitly consider a pre-owned DS, as we can then afford to get them some games as well.

We have dd's original ds still going strong, its pink but that never stopped ds from using it. However in desperation as to where to throw our money last christmas we bought ds a dsi and he loves the memory card option as we have downloaded some music and also story cds onto it. However a glass of water was spilt over it during the night and it appears to be no more . it has been on the radiator in a box of rice (tip from a friend) for 2 weeks but no joy! Ryoko - having met you on the xbox v ps3 thread you seem like a handy person to know! - have tou any tips? (By the way having seen the xbox konnect advert he know thinks he wants xbox instead of ps3 !)

I think new DSLites have pretty much disappeared from shops now because of the DSi and DSiXL being released, so you won't have much choice about buying a preowned one if you go for a Lite. All games work on all types though.

thats pretty damn pricey plus the thing isn't made for this country, look online at all the recommendations before you play, stupid amount of empty floor space etc. Look here

Plus at the end of the day after all that, all the launch titles are Wii clones and the whole system doesn't seem to be any better at tracking movement then the Wii-mote, at least you can play the Wii sitting down.

What with it being £130 for the thing on it's own or £300 best price bundle with a console, I'd rather buy a Wii and a 360.

Oh as for the DS, if you can get hold of a tri-wing screw driver you could try opening it up to dry out otherwise I think thats the end of that, you could still sell it to someone on ebay as spares or repair.