Psion Series 5 Handheld Computer

by Psion

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 0.9 x 3.5 inches ; 13 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00000JFEX
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #181,469 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

As well as all the powerful applications that the Series 5mx has to offer, its performance will ensure that information is always at your fingertips.

What's in the box

• Psion Series 5 Handheld
• Serial cable connection
• Stylus
• PsiWin 2 CD-ROM

From the Manufacturer

The Psion Series 5 8 MB is a revolution in mobile computing. It puts an unprecedented level of computing power into a handheld device. Series 5 allows users to manage their business and personal information, wherever they are. Series 5 is a powerful, portable computer that offers the core functionality of a desktop or laptop computer in a low-cost, high battery life, pocket-size device. Series 5 does the things most people really need from a laptop: word processing, spreadsheets, personal information management, and e-mail. Series 5 is as valuable personally as professionally, with personal information management software based on Psion's award winning Series 3c and 12 years of designing mobile computing devices. In summary, Series 5's power, portability, and low cost sets a new standard in mobile computing, and will allow a broader range of people access to their information wherever they go.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Next Best Thing to a Laptop - and it fits in your pocket, July 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Psion Series 5 Handheld Computer (Office Product)

The first Psion I bought was like a dream come true - it had all the features I was going to buy a laptop for;

Large phone and address memory. Downloadable to a P.C., for backup is case of a data crash. Limited, but very useful, word processing.(If you don't mind pecking on a small keyboard.) Connects to Internet, sends E-Mail, and Faxes. Lot's of shareware available on the Internet from fellow Psion users. (I downloaded a chess playing program written by a Psion user in Belgium that only uses 30K - and I haven't beaten it yet.) You can also write your own programs on it (in it's own basic type language.) And it has spreadsheet and data programs that are compatable with your P.C.

Another plus - it uses regular 'AA' bateries. Since I use the AC adapter when at my desk, using the batteries only when away, they last over a month!

The reasons I traded up to a Psion 5 are: The screen's backlit. It has a bigger keyboard (but still not as easy to use as a full-size keyboard.) It has enough memory to support E-mail, Fax, and Internet connection programs at the same time. The spelling function has many useful features, including showing a full line in spellcheck so you can see the context of the word. AND MOST OF ALL - The touch screen, which is as good or better than a mouse, makes moving between programs, choosing options, zoooming in and out, and highlighting text much quicker. And you can draw pictures directly on the screen with the stylus.

To put it simply - I have my whole life on this Psion 5. Since it fits in my side pocket, I always have it with me, and can jot notes while I'm shopping or travelling - times when I wouldn't have a full size laptop with me.

Those are the PROS - here are the CONS: (1) Psions have their own language. Everything has to be translated if you want to see it on a P.C. Once you set this up it goes quickly - but you have to be hooked up and the application has to be installed and there's always a chance that some sort of computer clitch will prevent the connection. This does not affect sending E-Mail or Faxes from the Psion 5 itself, which appear as printed text to the addressee.

(2) There's a small half-to-one-second delay for some functions to occur, like opening a program. It's not always instant, like a P.C.

(3) The screen is a little difficult to read without the backlight. It's better with the backlight, but that uses up the batteries much sooner.

(4) (Minor problems) The coating on the case peels, and the stylus tends to slip out of it's slot.

(5) The Psion records memos using buttons on the outside of the case, but this uses so much memory I hardly ever do it. However, it would be practical for short notes you erase after transcribing into text.

(6) There is a limit to the memory. I've added a few pages of text a day for a year, and soon I'm going to have to move some files permanently to my P.C. - or delete the E-Mail, Fax, or Intenet programs. This estimate is very rough, but gives you some idea of the memory capacity.

At this point I should say I am not an employee of Psion, just a fan who uses it every day and is glad to pass on my opinion to my fellow Amazonians.

- Marvin Silbermintz

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good all-round pocket computer - more than just a PDA, October 28, 2001

By 

Michael A. Kinsella (Wilsonville, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Psion Series 5 Handheld Computer (Office Product)

I bought mine in 1995 in Europe. It worked fine until last year when the screen stopped working. Even though the warranty period had expired Psion USA repaired it free of charge, within about 2 weeks of my shipping the product to them. I have also found the technical service in the US (via e-mail) to be outstanding.
I have now upgraded to the Series 5mx, which has twice the memory and a faster processor. I only did this as the old one was stolen. I would not recommend upgrading unless you need the extra memeory. The only other advantage of the 5mx is that the paint on the casing is much more durable. ...I would certainly recommend the 5mx to anyone buying now.
The diary and address book work fine. I had about 1700 addresses in a 614k file. The spreadsheet is compatible with Excel, but with less functions. Sketch program is similar in performance to MS Paint. It is possible to record voices or sound, I have never found a compelling use for this feature which uses memeory quickly - 60 seconds takes about 500k.
The monochrome (grayscale) screen is OK. 2 std. AA batteries less about 20-24 hours, less if the backlit screen is used.
The main differnce I notice betwwen the EPOC operating system and MS systems is that the EPOC system never crashes - not once in 5 years, and the computer boots up instantly.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most capable handheld available, September 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Psion Series 5 Handheld Computer (Office Product)

I have been using the Psion Series 5 for over a year. I find it to be faster at accessing the information I want (agenda or contacts) than other PDAs. It synchronizes well with outlook on my PC in the office. Clients are amazed that they receive a follow-up letter from me the day after a call, even though I am still on the road. I e-mail from the Series 5 it to my assistant who prints it on letterhead and overnight ships it. The ability to insert graphs into my correspondence helps as well for my line of work.

With add on software I now have full control over my project and time management and financial lives.

My Psion is great! If it could only increase my salary for me as well....