Psion Revo Palmtop Computer

by Psion

Product Details

Product Manual [1.39mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 3.1 x 0.7 inches ; 7 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00004RKHE
• Item model number: Revo
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #367,784 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Winner of the prestigious Byte Award for best hardware, the Psion Revo is a remarkably powerful, feature-rich, and lightweight PDA. An interesting alternative to Palm or Windows CE organizers, the Psion is stylish and slim and has a high-speed processor and built-in long-life batteries.

To set up up the Revo, we followed the instructions in the Quick Start guide: We connected the AC adapter to the serial cable (the power cord does not plug into the docking station), hooked up the serial cable to our PC, opened the Revo's case, and slid the Revo into the docking station. (The Revo cannot fit into the docking station unless the case is open.) A green LED confirms that the Revo is properly docked and a red LED indicates that the battery is fast-charging. The battery charges to 85 percent capacity in just 1.5 hours and fully charges in 4 hours. The charged battery lasts about 12 hours.

The Revo is based on the popular Psion 5, but with considerable cosmetic and technical improvements. You operate this organizer with the 14 touch-sensitive buttons that border its screen or by using the stylus to tap onscreen buttons and menus. Psion has made every effort to keep the operational controls above the keyboard, thus maximizing the space available for keys. Still, typing on this small keyboard requires much getting used to, and the keys' tactile feedback is not very satisfying.

In our tests, we typed memos, made appointments, added addresses, and created a sample spreadsheet using the Psion's built-in applications. Agenda and contact information automatically synchronizes with your PC. For other files, such as those made using the Psion's surprisingly advanced word processor and spreadsheet applications, the PsiWin software transfers and converts the files to a PC-compatible format, such as Microsoft Word or Excel. The Revo's PsiWin software is also compatible with Lotus SmartSuite, WordPerfect, dBASE, and more.

Psion licenses its Epoc operating system from Symbian, which explains why the Revo's interface looks only moderately similar to Windows CE. Subsequently, the steps to perform our tasks seemed intuitive--we rarely had to consult the manual, but we often didn't guess right the first time either. We recommend that you browse the extensive Revo Handbook (222 pages with index) for a proper introduction to the comprehensive suite of PIM applications and check out the CD-ROM for additional utilities and tools.

The Revo's built-in applications are Calc, Time, Word, Data, Sheet, and Cascade. Additional applications include Today View, Agenda, Contacts, Phone, and Jotter. The Revo also supports e-mail, SMS messaging, Web browsing, PC synchronization, and connections to compatible mobile phones through its infrared port and an optional travel modem.

If you're looking for an alternative to both Windows CE and Palm OS organizers, consider the Psion Revo. --Mike Brown

Pros:

• Great suite of PIM applications
• QWERTY-layout keyboard
• Slim and stylish

Cons:

• No backlight
• Slips out of docking cradle easily

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Almost perfect, March 20, 2000

By 

Paul Eisenberg (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Psion Revo Palmtop Computer (Office Product)

With one exception I found the Psion Revo almost perfect for me. For several years I had searched for an alternative to a Palm with a keyboard, PC sync (MS Outlook) and an affordable price.My Psion Revo does it all for me - except for the lack of backlit display. It set up easily and quickly with excellent documentation, syncs quickly and perfectly with my PC and MS Outlook and comes with it's own version of a decent word processor, spread sheet, contacts, agenda, e-mail, phone dialer, calculator, and more. A modem is also available for an additional cost. It looks good and even feels good in my hand and is small enough to fit in my pocket - though I don't trust any expensive piece of equipment in a pocket. This rates five stars if only it had a back lit display-but we can't have it all, can we. I do not work for or own stock in the Psion company, but I LIKE this product. Hopefully my feelings will be the same two years from now.

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I recommend the product, May 17, 2000

By 

A. Petrotchenkov (Moscow, Russia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Psion Revo Palmtop Computer (Office Product)

I bought the Psion Revo in February 2000, three months ago, after I realized that I don't like any keyboard-less Graffiti-based machines. After trying all kind of pocket devices, I found that Revo is the best choice. I also remember my very good experience with Psion Series 3a during two years in 1996-1998. Here are some of my impressions by Psion Revo.

1. The case design of Revo is very nice. No need for an additional leather case. You can just close the Revo and slip it into your pocket.

2. This is a realization of the pocket handbook -- the 'hands only' writing/browsing, not at a table or a desk. But it is less convenient than with Palm/Cassiopea type of devices.

2. Screen is sharp and clear. It is high contrast but without backlight. So don't use Revo in a deep darkness. The screen is touch-sensitive -- you can use a stick or just a finger to navigate in your Revo.

3. Battery life (there are two AAA type) if long enough to use Revo 2-3 weeks or so without recharging.

4. Speaker is good. But be careful -- Psion warns against keeping Revo close to your ATM cards -- the speaker magnet may harm your magnetic cards.

5. The quality of keyboard is good enough to write a short letter, not a novel. And the keyboard is useful after some getting used to. It is rather small, and I can use it only by two fingers. So don't expect touch type performance.

6. PsiWin synchronization software with Microsoft Outlook at the desktop don't synchronize properly -- it does not copy meeting locations into the Revo.

7. Be careful downloading games onto your Revo. My wife is playing with Revo all over the nights.

8. The EPOC operating system is fast and reliable, better than Windows CE.

9. The 8MB memory is still more than enough. But you have to keep a full collection of Psion software on your PC.

I am a user of the Siemens mobile without infrared, so I can't tell you about Revo's infrared port links.

The Revo is just as easy to use as the Palm for all of the standard electronic organizer functions. You also have the added benefits of a useable keyboard and full spreadsheet, word processor and dbase software. I'm sure, the Psion Revo is a much better choice than Palm.

I found the Psion Revo almost perfect for me. For several years I had searched for an alternative to a Palm with a keyboard, PC sync and an affordable price. I like Revo and recommend the product.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Psion REVO - Beats Palm hands down !, March 21, 2000

By 

TomCayman (Cayman Islands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Psion Revo Palmtop Computer (Office Product)

I have used Palm devices for years, but switched to a Revo last year, after reading rave reviews.

The Revo is just as easy to use as the Palm for all of the standard electronic organiser functions, but with the added benefits of : a) a useable keyboard and b) full spreadsheet, word processor and dbase programmes.

To elaborate a little more : - For those who type a lot of e-mails and are thus probably reasonbaly proficient touch typers, the Revo keyboard works very well, obviously more difficult for "hunt and peck" typists, but that's the same with any small keyboard - The battery life is excellent, a factor of the operating system, which has been designed from the ground up for mobile devices, unlike Win CE. - Hot synching and file conversion is very intuitive, particularly like the ability to drag and drop files to and from the Psion and the PC. - The EPOC (Symbian) operating system is fast and (are you listening Microsoft?) RELIABLE ! This is also a 32 bit OS, unlike Palm (16 bit only). - The REVO case is small and light. Not as small as a Palm V, but certainly portable enough for a jacket pocket or even a pair of chinos !

The bottom line is, if your live is run by your electronic organiser (which means MS Outlook for most people) but you also want to be able to take Word files on the road and work out calculations on a spreadsheet, as well as drafting e-mails etc, then the Psion REVO is a much better choice than any Palm device.