Customer Reviews

Psion Series 5 Handheld Computer

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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

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.

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....

Most of the favorable points made in the Amazon reviews are well taken, but I have a concern which has gone ummentioned. Psion originally advertised Maclink software as able to backup to a Mac, add software - and to open documents on the Mac. It does not work for opening documents on a Mac. Psion later backed off from that claim in advertising.

I have been using HP200LX for 5 years. The unit was broken last year and I started to look for a replacement, I have tried Nino P/PC and a HP H/PC, but none of P or H PC would do as good as the 200LX (I almost switch back to 200LX). They are either battery life too-short or too slow, just too slow to start another application which make you wait, wait and wait. But psion does just do the right thing, it keeps it in B&W, thr' not as good as colour ones, but the battery does last longer, say a month. Cann't it be done by a WinCE stuff? No. The draw backs of psion are: a bit expensive, the calculator is not as good as HP's (both WinCE and 200LX), phone book's fields can't be moved around...

those are the minor ones, it's time to switch to a newer machine, think of psion, I recommend it.

I bought my first PSION when I was due to attend an Austrian Economics Conference at Claremont McKenna in the early 1990's. Rather than lug my overfull Filofax on the 10 hour flight from London, I opted for the PSION rather than a laptop. The little computer did an admirable job but the screen was a little samll as well as dark.

When the series 5 was launched I replaced my existing one with this current model. Why not choose the Palm. Good question. I wanted a computer that could handle word processing as well as a spreadsheet and be more than an organiser. I wanted something small and inobtrusive that could fit in a jacket pocket and that was stand alone. As a reuirement was ease of portability I did not want to carry around all of the little gadgets and add ons that make this little computer such a remarkable device. I preferred a keyboard. These were all advantages over the early Palms.

Why am I writing this review now after years of faithful service? Another good question. This machine has been dropped on several surfaces, it has had hot tea spilt on it, it has been passed around many, many students some of whom went on to buy later models but now it is at the end of the road. the company is getting out of hardware and focussing on software and applications. My PSION is still going strong. I prefer it to my Palm and Clie and BlackBerry. The capacity is good and I still have no add ons.

I just wanted to place on record my testimony about the efficacy of such an excellent machine. Alas no matter how good the product, if the market does not cast it's vote of approval, it is doomed as is the case with the PSION family.

R.I.P. old friend.

I purchased the Psion series 5 because, at the time, it was the only PDA with a truly usable keyboard. After CTS/RSS surgery, I found the Palm Pilot, et al, to be difficult to use. Graffiti was easy to use but the Pilot was uncomfortable.

After buying the Psion to be everything that I wanted or needed. The keyboard is great for touch typing with 2 to 3 fingers. As with any new OS and keyboard, it takes a while to become comfortable and profficient. After this brief initial phase, it became a delight to use.

Things that would would enhance the Psion 5: 1. a color screen 2. an external keyboard 3. maybe a PCcard slot

I would recommend the Psion 5 to anyone.

I guess the best recommendation is that I bought one for my son to use!

Such a wonderful machine. Synchronising your agenda, contacts and to-do list with your PC (in my case with outlook 98) is a breeze, as well as exchanging files between machines: just drag and drop! You can also print easily either through your PC (more practical) directly to a printer using Psions printer cable or through the infrared port (which really works). The software that comes with the machine is very complete: full working versions (not crippled ones) of spreadsheet, word processor and of course agenda Web Browser and e-mail programs (which you can access through the infrared port connecting to a mobile phone).

There are a few niggles though: the coating on the case peels easily and the screen is sometimes difficult to read because of light reflection.

Without doubt the best overall Palmtop solution for people who need more than an electronic organiser.

I have two of these and love them. Unlike the other palmtops, they operate on ordinary double A batteries that can be obtained anywhere. They do not need fancy rechargable batteries which are hard to obtain and hard for campers, backpackers, foreign travelers to recharge. The fact that the screen is not color seems a small compromise compared to everything it does, which is amazing!! In addition to word processing, it has a data base, spread sheets, time, games, and can be used for fax and Email. It communicates easily with the PC. And the memory is incredible for soemthing that fits in your pocket!! The screen is easier to read OUTDOORS than most laptops or palmtops. And it goes a long time without new batteries.

Ive just a bought a psion 5 from ebay a few weeks ago and would like to add my 2 cents.

I'm surprised that its 2006 and this 10 year old computer was the only one that was capable of doing what i needed and more. it actually surpasses all of my expectations. For 20 pounds (the guy i bought it from actually lives in my city so i saved 8 pounds on the postage) I have a minature laptop with a great keyboard and instant functionality. I just switch on and the document that i was typing is there ...its like opening a book , only you dont have to look or the page so its actually easier. I havnt got it synched to my pc yet because i need a usb to serial adaptor which should set me back 7 pounds , but once i do i can easily copy books over , so ill have a book reader in there too.

currently i have a psp which has lots of homebrew on it such as bookr on which you can read books , and pep , which i use to read comics , but unfotunately there no keyboard , which is a shame because then i would have had eveythign i needed in one little device ( games , books, comics, pdfs movies , music ........what a device, god bless homebrew ) but this is the best text input device i could hyave hoped for, cheap , lasts ages with a battery, the guy gave me rechargables so i dont ecven have to mess with the back up battery ( but theyre like a quid ) and the screen is great, even better infact outdoors (soemthign that annoys me with the psp , its practically unusable outdoors)

I can believe people buy those small pda's, but i gues they dont want to do any serious typing..seriously..its 2006 and if you want soemthing that u can take anywhere ( it'll fit in my jeans )...heck u can take it on holiday and never have to recharge it till u get back home!!! ....hows that for portabilty...forget the laptops( till the umpcs become more user friendly )...and get this little gadget...its brilliant.