I had my first Psion 3 in 1992, a 5 in 1997, and a 5mx in 2001; it is a palmtop computer with an excellent keyboard and display, not just a PDA, is fantastic and goes everywhere with me. I use essential software I wrote in 1993 (took 3 months to write). I don't think any modern replacement will do the task it does as well although I don't have web access.
BUT Psions are poor mechanically and need to be treated very gently; the screen cable fails and plastic breaks. Fortunately http://www.clubpda.co.uk/ offer an excellent repair service and www.psionflexi.co.uk fit improved screen cables
Richard

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).

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 desparation I sent a letter! A person did try to contact me by phone but the 12hour difference was too much for them. He did sideways acknowledge the problem but offered no solution.
The poor service coupled with a shonky product is worthy of a legal challenge as I believe the computer is not fit for service.
Brian Boult

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 only use the batteries for file transfer.

A colour screen would be nice but since I only bought it for the keyboard, I think I can live with that!

I am worried about the keys though as the regularly used ones are starting to wear down. Are there any adhesive things to go on the keys for sale anywhere?

I'd certainly recommend this item if you want to type while on the move.

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.

ok

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 I have been a devotee for many years, I think, sadly, that I just may move over to a different manufacturer. Of course, I can't access much of my data, which is carefully backed up and on a flash card, as one needs another Psion to do that. What is concerning me is what will I do when there are no more Psions available????

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 awesome machine and I could never go back to the Mako and I DEFINITELY couldn't go back to pen and paper. The battery life on the 5mx is much better than the Mako, but the Mako is rechargable so you don't need to get new batteries all the time. The 5mx's battery life is good but not what I was hoping. I can get about 1.5 weeks of (very) rigorous use out of the 5mx, but it would be a lot nicer if it was more like a month. I'll probably end up getting rechargable batteries so I don't have to buy batteries as much.

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.

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 whistles of the most popular software applications, use of the 5mx for many purposes provides a good solution at much less weight and bulk. Good range of 3rd party software (quite a lot of which is free).

In my opinion, the 5mx is certainly more than just an organiser.

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!

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 if you prefer having more of a computer with you (as opposed to carrying just the screen around :)

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 that still annoys is the sketch program's random spike generation when drawing. It's unusable when the backlight is on & all Psion could say is that they know it does it with the backlight but thought it was okay otherwise. What kind of attitude is that? Makes Allegro, a Symbian equivalent of Palm's character recognition software, completely useless. Eventually they swapped my Friday afternoon machine for a good one &, in spite of its faults, I haven't looked back. I have nearly 4,000 contacts, loads of word-compatible documents, excel compatible sheets, great 3rd party software packages (which, being shareware or freeware are not silly prices) but sadly can't get for the PC. It's always with me (PalmTec case is a must) & I use it constantly. Pick up some Ni-MH batteries (Woolies are always doing silly offers on them), they last nearly as long as alkalines (I get days of full-on use out of mine)& you can recharge them! Who cares how much the backlight is on? Flash memory from www.crucial.com, ultra cheap & fantastic service. I'm wondering if there will ever be another machine with a keyboard you can touch type on which will fit in your pocket. Hopefully there will & hopefully before my 5mx dies, though I shall probably pick up one at bargain price before they finally become extinct, just in case. The one thing I would really like to get sorted (anyone out there?) is synchronisation with Outlook on my PC. It used to be okay, apart from lots of duplicate records, but an upgrade to PsiWin was supposed to sort that out. However, I've never really been able to tell as synchronisation now falls over every time. Psion of course were no help at all but I thought I'd got lucky when I was working in the same offices as the company who wrote PsiWin. Sadly, though, they weren't much interested in Psions as all their effort is focussed on ymbian machines with (possibly) a future. Backup is okay & I convert all files on to PC format when I upload them. It's a really good machine that can do 90% of the work of a laptop in a fraction of the space & for a lot less money. The biggest disappointment about the 5mx is how great a machine it should have been, the only reason it didn't see off palm & Pocket PC is that Psion didn't do a few basic things properly, simple stuff like getting the software right at the design stage and fitting a good screen at a time when there were plenty out there. I was that close to buying an iPaq but I'm glad I went with the 5mx, it's a much more powerful workhorse.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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 it from about knee height onto tarmac only resulted in a little chip to the finish but the Psion worked perfectly. About a year into it's use the screen gave up on me, the connection between the computer and the screen must have come loose somehow. Fixing it cost a steep £80 but the service was great.

I wanted to use the Psion to retrieve emails via an infrared connection with my Nokia 7110 phone, however, I could not get the built-in email software to work. The built-in web-browser does not support SSL encryption so you can't buy from Amazon nor access your Hotmail account for example. However, a commercial web-browser is available that does support SSL.