Psion Series 5mx Reviews

austinbarry's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
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Good Points: Has a real keyboard you can type on.Fits in a (large) pocket.Back-lit screen (but no reflector behind display).Touch sensitive screen.Always running (in sleep mode). Instant on when you open the cover.Windows connectivity (a little awkward but workable).Comes with the basics (word, spreadsheet, terminal, calendar, alarm clock, email, graphics, address book, database, a card-file app called jotter, web browser, etc).Programmable (in its own programming language, or Java).Many share-ware and freeware programs.Takes CF cards for additional storage.Built in infrared connection (should you have another Psion or suitable phone).Excellent battery life (I replace the batteries every few months - like a smoke detector).Great "wow" factor - even today.

Bad Points: NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. I got mine from Ebay, while there were still many units available. Many of the ones sold today are either duds or overpriced antiques.The connection between the display and the keyboard is prone to failure. It hasn't happened to me yet, but the fear factor means that It wouldn't be the only place I'd keep critical information. Finding software is increasingly difficult, however nothing really dies on the internet.Has individual machine serial number, which is used to create a custom key to unlock shareware which makes buying shareware a two-step process. Since very few companies making software for the Psion are in business, this means some shareware can't be unlocked even if the developers decided to give it away.No USB. No WiFi. No color display. Doesn't play MP3's. Doesn't take or edit photos. Definitely from another era.

General comments: Although it (was) sold as a souped up PDA, the Psion is more like a miniature laptop. I have yet to see a PDA that can make this claim. The main factor is a keyboard that one can (with a little practice) touch-type on. I have written multi-page documents on my Psion. The word processor is a clone of Ms Word, and can read or write real Word documents (that is what the Windows software is for). The spreadsheet can read and write (simple) Ms Excel documents and the address book and calendar can sync up with Ms Outlook. The email and web browser are of limited use as they require a modem (but one can store static web pages). One can also run an early version of TomeRaider and store entire encyclopedias on the Psion. I've taken my Psion around the world, and it's the only "laptop" I travel with. Although it is by no stretch of the imagination suited to graphics, it will display photos (in black and white) and one can create "pen and ink" drawings which could be incorporated into word documents (good for maps, diagrams, or writing words in a foreign alphabet).

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I have had 3 - Psion Series 5mx's, the last 2 being mx models. I must be slow!. All have failed after 12 months or so by the same mode - the screen image collaspes to a dark line. The screen itself is ok as it works if the lid is opened a fraction.
There is no local agent in NZ. it is probably not worth having so many disgruntled customers.
I have attempted to contact the UK princpal via the web. The web site is useless. I did leave a message with the webmaster but that was ignored. In ...

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I've had my Psion since May 2001. It's really easy to use. I mainly use Word and sometimes Xcel. It's easy to transfer files via the data cable and I dicovered I can even type SMS on it to send via IR through my mobile save using my phone keypad!

I don't use it for email even though I've synchronised data with Outlook.

It's got quite a good battery life and decent batteries: 2 x AA rather than stupid sizes you get in kids toys! Most of the time, I have it plugged into the mains and I o ...

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Looks very laptop like, but its features are not up to date as the others eg sony. Colour would also be an option but a shame it isn't otherwise taking a photo and sending it would make this model more popular.

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ok

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I have had a 3C, a Series 5 and 2 5MX's. My Series 5 just packed in, one day, when used by my wife, to whom I had given it when I got my 5MX. My first Psion 5MX literally fell apart when the flimsy, plastic components of the lid mechanism failed. Whilst the second 5MX had a new screen, whilst just in warranty, the unit has now just packed in totally, just like the series 5 did; it is only 18 months old, but of course, now it's out of warranty, Psion's hefty standard repair charges apply. Whilst ...

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I had a Diamond Mako before the Psion Series 5mx PDA and the 5mx is a vast improvement. Bigger and clearer screen (the rumour about the Mako's screen being better is only true for older models, the newer 5mx's screen is just as clear as the Mako plus it uses a bigger font, has a higher pixels/screen area ratio, plus it has a backlight) and a bigger and better keyboard. It's a great machine, I take notes in class with it, type up papers with it, play MP3s with it and play games on it. It's an awe ...

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The Psion Series 5mx is the only touch-type palmtop out there, truly a laptop replacement with fantastic applications built in, a good high-contract screen, and brilliant battery life. Truly an awesome machine, that none of the new colour PDA's have yet matched. This is not just a PDA - this is a Palmtop Computer.

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Psion Series 5mx.
Despite the competition of Palms, IPAQs, etc, I still would rather have a built in keyboard and a reasonable screen size. Pity that production is coming to an end. Hopefully the service support will continue for those of us who want to keep using our machines for many years to come.

I have even taken to using the 5mx for all my study notes and essays - far more convenient than using a PC. When travelling, whilst conventional laptops provide access to all the bells and whist ...

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This is a great machine. I can't see why Psion stopped making them! The keyboard is much better than even Transcriber on my PocketPC. The size is great for a clamshell and the OS is teriffic. With a 32 MB CF card and loads of programs, this is now my main PDA!

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Love the operating system on the Psion Series 5mx PDA. As a Psion 3a user, I found the 5mx to be even easier to use. Psion keeps it simple instead of finding things to clog your memory with.
Lots of 3rd party software if you know where to look. Mostly on internet.
I type mostly with my thumbs, but I learned that on the 3a.
I love the backlight (the 3a did not have one). I use it a lot. It uses the batteries quicker, so I try to have a power cord handy.
Overall, great choice over a palm ...

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I was disappointed with the Psion Series 5mx at first, having moved from a Sharp ZR5800 where the software was just so much better thought out. If only Psion had learned from what had gone before, even with hardware- my Sharp was 2-3 years old when I made the change but the screen was much better. I also experienced a lot of niggling problems, sticky keys, the key labels wearing off in a couple of weeks, stuff that reminds you how British products miss the target for no good reason. One thing th ...

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HAD A 5 SERIES PSION PDA A FEW YEARS AGO AND SWAPPED TO A PALM, BIG MISTAKE, THEN TRIED THE SEXY LOOKING COLOUR COMPAQ UNIT,....WOT NO KEYBOARD? I CAME BACK TO PSION DESPITE THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS REGARDING FUTURE PRODUCTION OF PSION PDAS'. WHY? BECAUSE I DOUBT THE COMPETITORS WOULD MAKE A COMPARABLE MACHINE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. A FIVE MX IS LESS THAN TWO HUNDRED QUID NOW!!! HOW SICK AM I TO HAVE PAID OVER FOUR FOR MY FIST SERIES FIVE.

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The Psio Seies 5mx PDA is wonderful and excellent. It is a very good buy if you haven't got enough money for a laptop.

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Excellent PDA very usable & stable
I had a 5mx since Dec 2000 and have never lost any data.
Battery life is great.
Software easy to use and very functional.
Wide availability of software via the net.
Well screwed together hardware.

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It acts like a mini laptop- meets the demands of many users. Black and white screen is ideal for power conservation. Great web browser, especially with Opera.

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If you've never seen a Psion PDA before then you'll be amazed. Don't think of it as an organizer, think of it as a PC in your pocket. I use my 5mx far more than my PC, even when at home. Instant On, no crashes, easy to use yet powerful applications.

Most of my friends have been amazed at what my little Psion can do. In summary, get one and you wont know how you ever managed without it. (or get an Ericsson MC218 as it is the same machine and much cheaper).

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Although there are many faults you could describe for this Psion PDA, you have to bare in mind its size and what they have managed to cram into it, my only real complaint is there is only one slot for a cf disk so make sure you buy a big one as carrying another offers the chance for it to be lost or stolen, misplaced.

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I'm a student and I find the Psion 5mx to be the ideal solution to most of my needs.

As a student money gets tight at times. I bought this just over two years ago and at the time it was ~£350. Now with the drop in the cost of the device it is better value than ever. Running costs are low since you power the device for just under a month under moderate use, using a pair of AA size batteries that you can buy virtually anywhere for next to nothing.

The construction is superb, dropping ...

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I ask for some opinions about the 5mx keyboard.
It's a really good keyboard.