The Psion Series 5 is a PDA from Psion. It comes in two main variants, the Series 5 (launched in 1997) and the Series 5mx (1999), the latter having a faster processor, clearer screen, and updated software. There is also a rare Series 5mx Pro, which differs only in having the operating system loaded into RAM and hence upgradeable. Ericsson marketed a rebadged version of the Series 5mx called the MC218. The Psion Series 5 is a major upgrade from the Psion Series 3.

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  • The Psion Series 5 is a PDA from Psion. It comes in two main variants, the Series 5 (launched in 1997) and the Series 5mx (1999), the latter having a faster processor, clearer screen, and updated software. There is also a rare Series 5mx Pro, which differs only in having the operating system loaded into RAM and hence upgradeable. Ericsson marketed a rebadged version of the Series 5mx called the MC218. The Psion Series 5 is a major upgrade from the Psion Series 3. A Psion Series 4 does not exist, due to Psion's concern of tetraphobia in their Asian markets. The external appearance of the Psion Series 5 and the Psion Series 5mx are broadly similar, but their mainboards and other internal components are different and not interchangeable. The screens are not interchangeable because of different screen cables. The Series 5 was the first to feature a unique sliding-clamshell design, whereby the keyboard slides forward as the device opens to counterbalance the display, and brace it such that touchscreen actuation does not topple the device. This novel design approach was the work of Martin Riddiford, an industrial designer for Therefore Design. A simplified version of this design was also used in the Psion Revo. The moving parts and hinges can wear out or break. The most serious common problem arises because of a design fault in the screen cable where tooling holes cause unnecessary stressing due to additional bending of the cable at this point each time the Psion Series 5 is opened or closed and eventually leading to failure of the cable, which causes a serious display malfunction and the appearance of vertical lines on the screen. The screen cable to the Psion Series 5 is more durable than the screen cable of the Psion Series 5mx. There is an after-market cable available for the 5mx which aims to eliminate this problem (see Psionflexi in the 'External Links' below). At the heart is a 32-bit RISC-based ARM710T processor with MMU running at 18 MHz (Series 5) or 36 MHz (5mx), with 4, 8 or 16MB of RAM. It's powered by two AA batteries, typically giving 10 – 20 hours of use. The display is a touch-sensitive, backlit half-VGA (640 x 240 pixel) LCD with 16 greyscales. The keyboard is generally considered to be among the best for its size, with large-travel keys and touch-type capability. Both RS-232 and IrDA (infra-red) serial connections are provided, along with a speaker and microphone, giving dictation ability as well as playing music. External storage is on CompactFlash. The EPOC operating system, now known as Symbian OS, is built-in, along with applications for word processing, spreadsheets, databases, email, contact and diary management, and software development using Psion's own OPL language. A Java Virtual Machine, WAP browser and synchronization software for Windows was bundled with the 5mx as optional installations and, later on, the 'Executive Edition' of the 5mx was bundled with various hardware and software extras including version 3.62 of the Opera web browser and a mains adapter. A wealth of third-party software is also available, from games and utilities to navigation, reference, communications, and productivity applications, and standard programming tools like Perl and Python. An open source project OpenPsion, formerly PsiLinux, aims to port Linux to the Psion 5mx and other Psion PDAs. Psion's experience designing for this form factor and attention to detail has made these machines a favorite with power users, many of whom have stuck with them, despite their age and the appearance of Symbian OS-powered mobile phones and other PDAs with more impressive specifications. There have been intermittent rumors of Psion's return to the consumer market, but the Series 5mx would seem to be their Swan Song.
  • Psion 5 (Psion Series 5) — карманный (портативный) компьютер (КПК), выпущенный компанией Psion. Компьютер был выпущен в двух вариантах: Series 5 Series 5mx, отличающийся более совершенным процессором, качественным экраном и обновлённым программным обеспечением. Также для немецкого рынка был выпущен вариант Series 5mx Pro, отличительной чертой которого стало то, что операционная система находилась в RAM, что допускало её обновление. Для японского рынка была выпущена версия Series 5mx Pro J с локализацией UniFEP от компании Enfour, Inc. (англ.). Компания Ericsson выпустила модификацию Series 5mx под своей торговой маркой (MC218).
  • Psion Series 3 - портативный (карманный) компьютер, выпускавшийся компанией Psion. Было выпущено несколько вариантов этого устройства: Psion 3 (1991), Psion 3a (1993), Psion 3c (1996), Psion 3mx (1998). Компания Acorn Computers продавала Psion 3 как Acorn Pocket Book. Большинство покупателей высоко оценили Series 3 за высокую продолжительность работы (до 35 часов от двух пальчиковых батареек), а также за качество сборки и программного обеспечения. Series 3 во многом похож на своего предшественника - КПК Psion Organiser. От него он унаследовал и систему работы с файлами: под экраном располагались значки приложений, а над ними отображался список файлов, открываемых с их помощью. Всего было выпущено около 1.5 миллионов Psion 3. Его производство было прекращено в 1998 году, когда ему на смену пришли компьютеры Psion Series 5 (Series 4 в продажу не выходили в связи с азиатскими рынками, для которых характерна тетрафобия).
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  • 16 greyscale LCD
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  • 4 - 16 MB
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  • Psion Series 5mx
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  • The Psion Series 5 is a PDA from Psion. It comes in two main variants, the Series 5 (launched in 1997) and the Series 5mx (1999), the latter having a faster processor, clearer screen, and updated software. There is also a rare Series 5mx Pro, which differs only in having the operating system loaded into RAM and hence upgradeable. Ericsson marketed a rebadged version of the Series 5mx called the MC218. The Psion Series 5 is a major upgrade from the Psion Series 3.
  • Psion 5 (Psion Series 5) — карманный (портативный) компьютер (КПК), выпущенный компанией Psion. Компьютер был выпущен в двух вариантах: Series 5 Series 5mx, отличающийся более совершенным процессором, качественным экраном и обновлённым программным обеспечением.
  • Psion Series 3 - портативный (карманный) компьютер, выпускавшийся компанией Psion. Было выпущено несколько вариантов этого устройства: Psion 3 (1991), Psion 3a (1993), Psion 3c (1996), Psion 3mx (1998). Компания Acorn Computers продавала Psion 3 как Acorn Pocket Book.
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  • Psion Series 5
  • Psion Series 3
  • Psion Series 5
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