Psion Series 5: the BEST portable computer? 1997 RETRO REVIEW!
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- Was the Psion Series 5 from 1997 the best portable computer? A peerless palmtop!
Buy Gordon a coffee: www.paypal.me/...
Gordon's In Camera book at Amazon: amzn.to/2n61PfI / Amazon uk: amzn.to/2mBqRVZ
Psion and EPOC software
www.ericlindsay... (how to install SIS files)
neuon.com/downl... (Asteroids and more!)
www.rmrsoft.com... (Reversi and more!)
stevelitchfiel...
Image attribution via Creative Commons. Many thanks to the following archives and historians:
Centre for Computing History: www.computinghi...
Sinclair QL photo: EWX
Psion Organiser: Felix Winkelnkemper
Psion Series 3: snowmanradio
#psion #series5 #retro
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Was the Psion Series 5 from 1997 the best portable computer? A peerless palmtop!
Buy Gordon a coffee: www.paypal.me/cameralabs
Gordon's In Camera book at Amazon: amzn.to/2n61PfI / Amazon uk: amzn.to/2mBqRVZ
Psion and EPOC software
www.ericlindsay.com/epoc/msis5.htm (how to install SIS files)
neuon.com/downloads/ (Asteroids and more!)
www.rmrsoft.com/epoc/index.htm (Reversi and more!)
stevelitchfield.com/downloads.htm
Image attribution via Creative Commons. Many thanks to the following archives and historians:
Centre for Computing History: www.computinghistory.org.uk
Sinclair QL photo: EWX
Psion Organiser: Felix Winkelnkemper
Psion Series 3: snowmanradio
#psion #series5 #retro
Was it?.. well.. "Back in the day" round 2000 i used mine every day.. Agenda, Mail (because i had a phone with infrared) Internet.. wherever..
I used it when doing maintenance on my motorbike, Valve adjustment.. i measured the valve clearance beforehand, entered that in a Spreadsheet, then took out the adjustmentshims, measured those, and also entered them in the same spreadsheet, and at the bottom came a table with the new thicknesses of the Adjustmentshims, i then went inside, Hooked my Series 5 to my PC, printed the spreadsheet and took it to a motorcycle store as a shopping list.
Also.. i used it to write articles for a model railroad magazine at the time.
I wrote some small programs for work, to help me program a CNC machine, i had a Database with all my ModelRailroad models, so i could look up quick if i already had one when i spotted something nice at a fair..
Mailing a girlfriend when in a car.. imagine that in 2003, (there was a trafficjam, so i wasn't driving and writing a mail at the same time).
I live in the Netherlands, but once while on vacation i sent email from Italy, i had my mother make me a soft pouch for it soi could take it with me on my motorbike.
I just never left home without it.
It was just WAY ahead of its time
@@JanBinnendijk great memories, you really were a power user! I remember using mine with an IR phone, an Ericsson 888 maybe?, and absolutely loving it! I
The layout of that world clock screen is loads better than most of the standard smartphone clock apps that you see today. Very intuitive.
It did look really good!
Being a Palm user for the longest time, until Android *finally* displaced it, I can say that the screen is absolutely beautiful compared to most of the devices I had...
I bought a Palm after years of using Psions. Everything about It was like stepping backwards 15 years. I was shocked at how basic they were.
What a blast from the past! Thank you for starting up Dino Bytes, I love this type of content!
You're very welcome, glad you liked it!
Thanks Gordon! I still have my Psion 5 and it works too. I also was wowed by it back in the day, it has a touch screen! The keyboard was and still is the best. How it slides out is beautiful engineering. Why don't they do this today?
Maybe it was.a patent, maybe it was the issue with the screen cable breaking! But I agree, I still love that mechanism!
Towards the end of my first year of Uni in 1999 I saw this in Currys and I fell in love with it. I think the price was £250, I asked my parents for the money and I used it to not only write some of my papers on but I kept a diary and I the drawing program actually got me started down the road of what I call CAD-Art.
Nice one!
Thanks Gordon. I still have my Psion Series 5mx (the upgrade from the original Psion Series 5). I still use it today. I wish someone rebuilt this device exactly the way it is with the Epoc32 OS but with added WiFi, Bluetooth and possibly a Sim Card.
Planet Computers is trying but not quite there yet. I have the Cosmo Computer as well, but I wish it looked and behaved more like the Psion than just using its keyboard on an Android phone.
Agreed, there's a lot of stuff working well together on the Series 5 that hasn't quite been replicated again successfully...
Do you still have that article you wrote from Sept. 1997. Would love to read your original review.
I have a copy of that issue on CD as PDFs - again the review was written by Paul Wardly, but I used my own Series 5 to write a lot of articles for the magazine!
Mine is still working - it's on my desk all the time. These days it chiefly reminds me of birthdays, that's all.
That's an important task!
Another nice trip down memory lane. I had the 3c, 5 MX, and 7. And I still use a small bluetooth keyboard for my smartphone when I need to type longer texts or have a lot of chat activity. I think this also answers your question at 11:40. There are no similar devices around because we don't need them anymore. I love having a separate keyboard that I don't have to carry around all day when I don't use it. A smartphone with a separate keyboard is far superior to the 5 series and similar clamshells.
The 5MX was also the first portable computer I used as an e-reader. I read entire books on that screen. One of the few times in my life when I was ahead of my time. ;-)
That's a nice collection you had!
3:50 You might want to point out that LCD screens degrade over time. It may be very low contrast now, but it was much clearer 20 years ago.
That's a very good point, although I do remember it being low contrast when it came out. Hard to recall exactly though without seeing an unused model side by side.
I still own one of these devices, functional. These were very enjoyable during consultancy times, when being abroad for weeks or months, packing light. I'm also sure that I was able to secure contracts by being able to produce and show code I've been working on within seconds, showing whether and how much required skills were covered by prior activities. It also doubled as navigation device, showing map and calculating routes, with an external GPS receiver connected. During my spare time, I was writing an incremental compiler and interactive interpreter for it, all typed in on the device. It accompanied me during my bicycle tours, and was usually well attached to my belt in a protective sleeve. The grey skin used as finish, possibly some varnish kind of layer, came off by intensive handling, and it's now dark plastic cover only.
Thanks for your comment! I agree, the ability to always have it on you, immediately accessible with quick power up could be invaluable.
I totally agree. I used to write my business trip reports on the plane coming back to the UK from Asia back in the early 90's on a 3a, but loved the 5. The battery life was amazing.
I picked one of these up off eBay in 2010 and kept it around for note taking for a while. Really hard to beat the ergonomics. I think some of the people responsible for this device went on to found Planet Computers and develop the Gemini PDA which has nearly the exact keyboard.
Yes that's right, although it doesn't slide out anymore, perhaps for reliability reasons. I show the Gemini near the end.
@@DinoBytes ahhh I didn’t catch that part at the end. Great video as always 👍
I have had one. The best British device ever. A shame that it did not survive.
agreed.
Planet computers, which made the Genini PDA, was founded by former Psion employees.
Why did android killed Symbian ?
The Symbian OS could have developed incredibly .
While iOS is the best user friendly
Android is versatile
It both is hungry for processing resources and thus requiring bigger battery
I had a 3, 3a, 3c, 5 and 5mx. They were great. I was really surprised when I got a Revo, it was piece of absolute cr...
ended up going back to my 3a, just didn't get on with it, or the screen...
Awesome tech back in the day. We've come so far innovation wise but touch screen in 1997 was a pretty advance tech for it's time.
Absolutely. Hope you get a chance to watch some of my other videos here!
Hi, great review! I'm more used to seeing your name in the context of the excellent Cameralabs website and forgot that you used to write for PCW - even though I bought it every month! I too loved writing working on my Psion 5mx in places like coffee shops, before laptops were a common sight. When my 5mx broke (weak screen ribbon cable) I looked in vain for alternatives and would have jumped at an updated model. Many years later we now have the Planet Gemini with its Psion-like form factor and cool new hardware. Unfortunately, it has arrived too late for me as I don't think its screen size is going to be compatible with my aging eyesight. Instead, I have to settle with a big boring iPad and keyboard for my coffee shop companion.
Thanks and always a delight to hear from former PCW readers! I hope you're also enjoying my old camera reviews, as I'm trying to include the original PCW pages in there too! The iPad with a keyboard is a nice solution, but still so large compared to some of these PDAs - you really could pop a series 5 into a jacket or even some trouser pockets - no bag required. I miss them!
Saw these in Argos catalogue back in the 90s.
Really wanted 1 but was too expensive as a kid to afford.
some while ago I bought this for like 2 euros. Ended up selling it for 100 but I kinda regret as it was such a fascinating device. The keyboard was magnificent when comparing to other devices of the time. I have actually ordered Planet's Astro Slide which has very similiar keyboard (as it has lot of same people working there) so waiting to see how good that is.
Let us know how the new device compares!
The interference you're hearing on the recording is the backlight, Psion backlights are extremely loud. In a quiet room you can here them a mile away.
Nice retro review! I got interested in Psion PDAs a while back. Got some for little money on ebay to collect, but back in these days I wasn´t exactly in the user class for them(too young and of course no money 😁). So it´s interesting to see the view of someone who used such a device back then. I like the minimalistic approach, would even be good for today, like writing in a university lecture. My first own PDA which I used was the Acer N10, which I used for streaming music on the schools WLAN with a CF WLAN card in 2004. But that device was already more of the form factor of todays smartphones. I´m not really such a big fan of smartphones tbh - unless it´s something like the Blackberry Priv. I value a real keyboard over looks and power. Of course it´s not as good as from such a Psion device. I got a kind of cheaper clone of the 5 series, the Oregon Osaris. They keyboard is quite lackluster in comparison, although thanks to the more conservative design it shouldn´t have an issue with breaking display cables.
Thanks for your comment, glad you enjoyed the review! Keyboards forever!
I had the Psion 5 and the much better 5mx. Then I tried the Psion Revo which was a smaller version of this. It was awful! I did my teaching degree work on the Psion 5! Amazing keyboard. Great video with fab memories. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Psion was the bomb! A true English classic! So beautiful also! I miss it.
Great trip down memory lane, thanks.
I had quite a few 5mx handhelds - made a bit of pocket money repairing the screen cables and selling them on. My own personal one I had until about 2004, and it saw me through the first couple years of my degree study at the time. Many an assignment was typed into it on the train or at lunchtimes at work.
Can’t imagine doing that now with a touchscreen device.
Exactly, I hate typing anything more than a quick hello on my phone or tablet.
Had this and unfortunately stolen from our house before some years.I thing this is the most important revolutionary device that ever created and it was my first "PC".Sad that they stopped production.(Gemini just VERY EXPENSIVE,you can buy just a tablet from 40$ today).
Sorry to hear you lost yours.
I've wanted a more modern version of this for years now. Would love something small like this designed solely for writing or note taking would be so much fun
agreed!
Gemini PDA probably would be what are you looking for
Psion 5 was a truly revolutionary miracle.
And an extreme rarity in those years: on some version Hungarian accented letters were painted on the keyboard (I am Hungarian).
I have a few that work and a few that fail (flexi cable, of course).
I'm afraid to open working devices :)
The ribbon cable, on the other hand, is poorly designed garbage.
Designers did not want it to work for more than 2-3 years?
I honestly think most of these were not expected to be used for more than a few years.
This is cool. I had a series 3a. Wish I'd kept it.
I've lusted an unbelievable amount after this piece of tech.
It was so perfect, at the time.
It's still nice today too!
I recall writing java code on that keyboard on a train in the late 90s, combine it with an irda mobile phone with a modem and your living in the future at 9600baud (thats about 1k/sec for your kiddies ;) Wish I still had my psions.
Coincidentally, Retro Recipes has just made a video about the old Ericsson R520 phone, which is what I used to connect to the internet with the Series 5!
Just dug out my series 3a from the back of a draw. Forgotten all about it. The keyboard is tiny compared to your series 5
Yeah, the 3a was small! I'll make a video about it in the future when I get a decent one...
Sehr schön. Ich war damals auch "verliebt" in dieses Gerät.
I still have mine, not because I still use it, more I can't bring myself to get rid of it (still works fine). The keyboard is just big enough to touch type on amazingly enough for such a small device.
I agree, there's nothing like it
Never seen one of these before. A great design and wonderful piece of tech history. Shame they never managed to maintain development of the years.
Glad to have shared it with you! It was a real classic...
I don't think people want a mini keyboard on a device any more. Out of curiosity I did a typing test on my iPhone the other day and was hitting similar speeds as on my full sized mechanical keyboard (about 80wpm). Obviously the autocorrect is a massive assist there, but once you adjust it's actually pretty easy to type long form on a touchscreen keyboard - and I've drafted many documents this way. Certainly I don't think I could get anywhere near as quick prodding away at this little thing, lovely as the hardware design is.
I hear you, but I personally still prefer a mechanical / moving keyboard. I realise I'm in the minority!
Nice vid.! Can remember connecting a Garmin Gps with It and navigating through France, Spain and even Barcelona
Please re-review the Atari Portfolio
Yes! I remember the ability to connect a GPS! Yes, an Atari Portfolio would be fun to look at again, infamous for the ATM theft in Terminator 2!
Damn I remember this. As soon as saw it I thought to my self that this thing schooled GDP. How many iterations did they try untill they made a half decent keyboard??? Look at this thing, that keyboard looks inviting AF!
It is surprisingly good and a huge step forward from the Series 3
I still have my 3a and Series 7, love them. Did buy a 5mx in period but I returned it as I just couldn't deal with the dim screen. Otherwise a fantastic device. The external voice memo buttons are something I would love to see on a modern phone. I've toyed with trying to use the 7 as a small note taking device, but have been stumped by getting stuff off it as you described, and just file compatibility.
I used to love playing Horace goes Skiing on my Spectrum, never knew it was Psion that created it!
Psion did a lot for Sinclair and especially the Spectrum...
Does the 3 have a brighter screen than th 5?
I had them all … psion3, psion5, palmpilot (in colour too!), Compaq ipaq … yes … they beat Apple to the ‘i’ !
Yes, I remember reviewing the iPAQ! I loved all these pocket computers and miss them in today's laptop and smartphone dominated market.
I had one and was damn proud of it.
I had the Diamond mako. I used it so much in high school and college. Really nice keyboard and formfactor. Really fond memories of that thing.
Great review! I travelled a lot in the nineties and always wanted a PDA with Psion keyboard, but the HP 200LX offered basic PC compatibility and to me that was even more important. The HP was a great product, but sadly disappeared (assume stolen) on a trip. Got a Compaq Windows CE PDA later, but battery life was horrible compared to the HP 200LX or a Psion. Then I switched to an iPaq. Color screen, but even worse battery, and no keyboard. Then smartphones with keyboards appeared and I had an Ericsson and a HTC before keyboards disappeared completely. I look for devices with keyboards every time I switch phone and I'd get one in an instance if one of the major brands with Android offered something.
I remember reviewing the HP LX models!
And I used to read the reviews. PCW and Byte were my favorite computer magazines.
@@frstesiste7670 excellent taste! The two oldest computer magazines, launching in 77 and 78 as I recall.
WaHEY!!!! I've just unearthed mine. I can 100% guarantee it's WELL over 5 yr since it saw daylight.
Two VERY ill Hyundai AAs in it dead but NO fatal corrosion. NO idea what shape the CR 2032 is except not corroded.
:¬)
The 2032 will almost certainly be dead too, so replace them all and keep your finger's crossed!
@@DinoBytes I did.
;¬)
I remember going into a tech store as a kid and asking about the price for this amazing mini computer. In fact that's all I ever did... going into the shop asking to see the device and asking about the price. Hell no I couldn't afford it, but I admired it from the distance, thinking of how much I'd love putting all my important meetings into the calendar LOL
10 years later for about 100€ I bought a box full of old Pocket PC's and discovered the Series 5 again as well as the Series 3c... these machines are beautiful indeed.
It's so much fun to revisit them! I spent my childhood going into shops, asking to look, then leaving!
I loved my Psion's. I used to write shareware for these as a kid and made a fortune. Good times.
Nice!
I had a Sharp Wizard- the poor student's Psion...
Nice!
Please help me i have one.but i dont know how to install the OS on the card :( please make a video and save me
I've linked to some guides in the description
I was a teenager when this was released and wanted one so badly, but could never afford one 😔
But now you could pick one up at a bargain price!
Great bit of kit. I wrote an instruction manual for the software company I work for on one of those whilst traveling back and forth from the states 1997. When I got my yearly bonus I upgraded to a Nokia 9110 communicator and a Toshiba Libretto - full windows 98 colour VGA laptop in your pocket.
I remember reviewing both the Nokia and the Libretto. Would love a Libretto or similar small Windows laptop now...
Found you via DPReview today. What years did you work at PCW ? 😁
Glad you found me! I worked full-time at PCW between 1992 and 1999, then freelanced for them and others until I started Cameralabs in 2006. Were you a reader?
@@DinoBytes oh! Yes I was indeed. Got my first pc in 91 when I was in school and PCW was my number 1 choice followed by PC Plus then Computer Shopper and downwards through What PC, PC Pro when it arrived and PC Format. 😁
@@UXXV thanks, correct order of magazines there!
I still have and use an Ericsson branded Series 5. I considered the Planet Gemini but it just didn't tick the right boxes for me. I'm working on building a Psion Sidecar, which will let me access Wifi over the serial port - should be weird!
Nice!
I used to use my 5's infra red to link to my Ericsson SH888 phone. Instant internet!
I also had an HP printer (360c?) which accepted an HP infra red receiver plugged into the parallel port. Instant printing!
@@brianlj I remember testing this with the SH888 for PCW magazine over IR - it was very cool!
Still got my Ericsson MC-218 (same thing, rebadged). I wonder what to do with it!
First see if it's working, then try some of the apps!
@@DinoBytes Good news - it works just fine!
@@jamesdecross1035 excellent! Now try downloading and installing some new software for it like I did!
Epoc was the most stable OS I've ever used. Nothing crashed that thing. Another thing about these devices, while it did have a touch screen, they could be operated with the keyboard only. There was a "menu" button and menu items were navigated with the arrow keys.
The menu interface also demanded that each menu item had a shortcut key too
oh man the nostalgia! my dad had one of these and I must have been like 8 when I played games on it. i swear there was a first-person tank game, and also some kind of platforming game called exodus, but i can't find anything about it on the internet...
well NEVER MIND! i somehow happened to google the correct things and i found it!!! turns out it was a psion revo and not series 5. the games were called space exodus and terra force. now i have to figure out how i could emulate these things...
@@viktoraberg don't emulate them, try to play on original hardware!!
@@DinoBytes I'll try to!!
ALL I needed to know EXCEPT how to switch it off.
Isn't the Off function on the escape key, top left? or just close the lid.
@@DinoBytes That key is labelled Esc/On/Off; 1st two work. Holding Off for 15 secs -no worky - BUT:-
Fn+Off = does.
Do you think we can install a Linux on it?
If you can, I'm sure someone has!
Too fancy, I’ll stick with my Psion Organiser
Old skool, I like it
palmtops are so cool :)
Which is / was your favourite?
@@DinoBytes i had one very briefly as pure novelty, made by HP IIRC
@@burnzy3210 I reviewed many HP PDAs - I recall the Jornada was pretty good! I also show one of the early HP models at the end of the video.
Very cool Gordon. I was only 10 when something like this would have been sold, but I lovvveeddd stuff like this when I was a kid (of course I could never buy any of it). I didn't know you had OG PC roots--that is really awesome! I hope your new channel takes off!!
Thanks Zac, yep, I've been reviewing this stuff since 1992!
Just found mine fully boxed in the garage. Then found this review.
Amazing.
Had mine given to me by a family member while I was still at school but never really used it.
Mine is mint and still works, batteries had not leaked surprisingly 😁
Excellent! If the batteries haven't leaked, it's a sign you must start to use it! Hope you have fun with it!
I have it and it still works
Do you still use it?
Hello Gordon I own a 5MX, I have a question for you, where the screens really that bad back when they were new? Also the device you show at the end from planet computer is actually made by the same people who made the psion
That's a really difficult question to answer. I originally reviewed brand new models back in the day and didn't think the screens were bad but was that because they were ok compared to others of the time or because they were somehow fresher / less worn out than a model that's 25 years old? I couldn't say unless I had a brand new one! Likewise for the Gameboy Advance I reviewed here... Looking back, I remember the screen not being amazing on the 5, but again I don't know if mine has deteriorated over time or not... what do you think?
had one in 97 and loved it. Carried it all over Asia for work and it worked really well. Used it in hotel rooms, in aircraft and mainly in meetings where most people didn't even see that I was reading notes during discussions. I would just slip it out of my jacket pocket and open it.
I still miss the form factor..
i always wanted one of these. i loved PDAs. but i couldn’t afford one when at school. i later got a Casio EM500 which could run game boy emulators and doom. i love this new channel.
Thanks! Loads of fun stuff to come!
Gordon just found your channel and i have been thinking of leaving my dlsr's in my house and go mirrorless and after watching your 6 reason i would like to know what do you think the best camera and lens combo to start ? I shoot nikon now ....
Hi Michael, glad you found me! That's a question best asked on one of my camera labs videos, as this channel is all about vintage tech! But for starters, check out my guide here for some ideas: www.cameralabs.com/best-mirrorless/
A very good reminder of times past. I loved my Series 3a; right up to the point that the hinge failed. I'm sure that was a common failure as I'm very easy on my tech. Could have done with reading that article on whether to upgrade to the 5! Probably too late now...
It's never too late!
Do you think this is worth getting as an offline writing device in 2022?
Does it have spellcheck?
Not sure about a spellcheck, but I still enjoy the form factor. There's very few actual keyboards this small anymore. If you find a good price, go for it!
Thank you
Hi Gordon, always enjoy your reviews, a quick question if i may? I'm picking one up tomorrow solely for word processing, i'm finding it difficult to find an answer online so will ask you, is it fairly easy to transfer files using yhe CF card? I've read they need to be FAT16 and have plenty of 1gig cards knocking about but does Windows or Apple OS have any trouble importing the files? Many thanks.
Glad you like the videos! It's been a while since I did this, but as I recall, you can export word processor documents as text files from the File menu, and save them onto a CF card. This can then be opened on a PC or Mac using a CF card reader and any WP application. You're right that the type and size of CF card can be a problem. All I can say is the only one I had that still worked ok was a SanDisk Ultra II 1GB card - coincidentally it's the only card that works on some really old cameras too, so it's handy to have! Good luck! PS - don't even bother with the serial cable and software unless you have a PC and OS of the same era.
Thank you so much for the reply, that sounds ideal, I think I have that same card from my Canon 7D days so fingers crossed everything will work nicely. Thank you again for the reply it's greatly appreciated.
@@SeanyGee1 let me know how you get on!
@@DinoBytes Love it, best thing ever, absolutely genius.
@@SeanyGee1 great stuff!
Very interesting!
Thanks! I hope you enjoy my other videos too if you get the chance!
I’ve still got mine! Picked it up at a pawn shop - except it was the German version
can you switch the language to English?
I couldn’t run to a Psion 5 but I had a 3c. Absolutely loved it. It had features that I still miss on my iPhone. Thanks for this video, happy memories!
You're very welcome, I will do the 3 as well in the future...
I wished for this Psion computer, but it was just too expensive to have as an extra computer.
You could buy it now for about 20 bucks!
@@DinoBytes LOL, yes but now I have a much more powerful smartphone.
@@cameraprepper7938 sure, but does it have a tiny fold out mechanical keyboard...?!
@@DinoBytes No, I wish for a smartphone with fold out keyboard and a 1" or MTF Camera, OR a Camera with fold out keybord with a built in phone !
Totally agree with you. I still have my Psion 5 and Psion Revo. My Revo was the device I had on me at All times together with my Nokia 8210. The 8210 had an infra red modem built in so I used to pair it with the Revo to send documents. At the time I was self employed IT technician and used to keep a copy of my CV on the Revo ready to send to agencies for various jobs. I had a number of technical documents stored on the device, an email client and a few games. Somewhere I have the travel modem but it did not work as well as the IR modem and Nokia 8210. I did migrate to a HP Ipaq other than having the abilities to play mp3 files it wasn't as good as the Psions.
I remember reviewing that Nokia and finding it one of the most exciting things I'd ever seen!
@@DinoBytes I still have it in my old tech drawer. A red one complete in a red “leather” case. I used to get an upfront bundle from Cellnet/o2.
It's like we had a near perfect form factor for productivity and simply evolving this device to the modern day would have be incredibly useful. Heck I think people who need to type a lot can get most of their work done on it if we perfected the keyboard feel.
Exactly!
Lovely review and smiled all the way through it, it was and is indeed a fantastic piece of technology. Mines still boxed in the loft and really must have a play again soon thank you!
Thanks, I hope I've inspired you to dig it out and fire it up!
Kick myself for not buying one at the time. I did use the Organiser ant the Series 3.
I bet you can find them on eBay
@@DinoBytes Will I have more luck than with the Canon PowerShot Pro1? 😀
Actually quite a few, though most have not survived the aging very well, especially on the surface finish. Though there are 2 unused ones for £300! All in the UK though which is a horrendous customs issue where I am in the EU. Some Series 7's as well.
@@calvinchann1996 one will turn up, don't worry!
@@calvinchann1996 hopefully!
I have two Psion 5mx's they are an excellent machine. It's just a shame that they lack modern connectivity. But that aside I still use CF cards to get data and apps on and off the machine. The battery life is excellent.
The closest I've got to a similar experience is an iPad Mini and keyboard, but I can't get that in my pocket! Alternatively my iPhone and a bluetooth keyboard. The Planet Computers version on Android looks ok, but I'm an Apple user through out so I'm not comfortable or know how to get my data to flow back and forth easily.
Exactly, the iPad and magic keyboard are lovely, but as big as a small laptop!
@@DinoBytes I have seen a project on the web to make a bluetooth modem for the Psion5Mx. There are also versions of Linux that run on a Psion, but I've never tried them, even though I have a spare machine. I do find reading the screen harder these days compared to when I bought it...younger eyes!
@@SteveMorton a modem would be cool, but not sure about the browser and email software...
I totally forgot about these. Very interesting video. I look forward to more.
Thanks!
I have a couple of 5MXs and a Series 7. Both 5MXs screens are broken, but I still use my Series 7 :-)
I remember the 7, that was the laptop sized one, right?
@@DinoBytes It was smaller. Netbook size.
@@admiralandersen yes, I remember it now.
Excellent, in the late 90's early 2,000s I was going backwards and forwards to the USA a lot and used one of these all the time on flights, far easier to use on aircraft and would outlast my laptop with its battery life ! Only downside was the rather dim screen but it was a brilliant tool, I was sorry that Psion stopped making these but they saw the mobile phone as the 'future' and decided not to go there ! Thanks for this Gordon :)
You're very welcome! It's interesting this form factor has virtually disappeared. I have a small laptop, but it's not fitting in my pocket, and anything that does has a terrible typing experience.
@@DinoBytes Absolutely spot on, the thing that really made it was that keyboard which despite its dimiutive size was totally workable. Over 7 hour flights I used to type up reports on it, save them to a CF card and transfer them to my laptop to email them on, worked for me !
@@johnhaynes9910 me too!
I worked for an electrical retailer in the 90’s and I remember these. I had the organiser myself. A blast from the past
Hopefully a pleasant blast from the past!
@@DinoBytes it seems a long time ago Gordon. I’m looking forward to your next installment👍
Hi Gordon, has a Psion 3 back in the day. It was a great PDA. Connectivity was never a problem as I used it stand-alone.
I'm looking forward to covering the Series 3 in a future video! Was there any additional software you used for it?
@@DinoBytes I don't think so, it's such a long time ago. It had all the basics if I remember right.
@@andrewwilkin1923 yeah, the basic office suites were pretty good, but I enjoyed trying out some new software on the 5.
way ahead of it's time, like you say, you can't write reviewes on a smart phone, the keyboard is brilliant.
Exactly! Even revisiting it today, I was struck how there's nothing to replace it really. I switched to a full size laptop which is great but hardly as portable.
@@DinoBytes just get a little Bluetooth keyboard and connect it to your smart phone get with the times
@@geoffriemckenna4749 I've tried that and it works BUT to keep your phone angled you ideally need to bring a stand for it which all begins to add to the overall size. I made a video about it here: th-cam.com/video/q1NmJj7kkm4/w-d-xo.html
I had one during the last 2 years of University and loved it!!! Fitted on my rear pocket and the keyboard was soooo cathartic to use 😃
Nice! Did you write much on it?
@@DinoBytes Yes... Back in those days Laptops were still above 90% of students reach (not to mention still very bulky), so this was an excellent option for me... All the notes from class could later be transferred to my PC and quickly used for reports or assignments, making my life easier 👍
@@cosssio good point on the price. I came at it from a portability angle as I was working for a PC magazine and had access to laptops, but for sure they were way more expensive. I do miss the palmtop form factor.
Thanks for vid, I went thru a phase of collecting Psions about 15 years ago but sold them all a while after. Wish I hadn't got rid of mine. One thing that always confused me - the 5mx keyboard was legendary yet mine was v stiff and not that easy to type on tbh. I now have a Planet Computers gemini and the keyboard is as nice as I imagined 5mx to be. Perhaps I had a duff model? I've never heard of such a thing mind
I'm very curious about the Gemini, do you like yours?
@@DinoBytes hardware lovely, the keyboard is brilliant and the screen is basically a modern touchscreen phone...its the s/ware that puts me off. Android 7 is way out of date for safe, proper online activity and I fear even if I were to keep it offline it would eventually start to slow down and things will break . Unlike psion which will remain fresh as the day it was released
@@markdjharris ah, I see, why don't they update the software?
@@DinoBytes not in the interest of Planet to allocate resources to a product developed 3 yrs ago, they can barely QC their new products. Sailfish would have been an option but no android layer and zero native office apps. Linux development stalled as such niche old product. Sad really. I'll use until I can't but might just get another 5mx!
What a coincidence, I fired up my Series 5 today for the first time in years :D
Great video!
Did it work? Presumably you'd need a new backup battery... do you think you'll use it much?
@@DinoBytes It powers up but I'm not sure if the CF slot works; I only have a 32GB card which normally lives in my 7D, which is probably too large/wrong disk format for it to recognise. Might be fun to use it as a diary/jotter for a bit!
@@thehobnob one of my CF cards worked, but the other didn't. I think they may need to be formatted as FAT16, although the one that worked had been formatted in an older camera.
Loved my Series 3 in its day, had such a cool feel to it
Do you still have it or use it? I'm looking forward to making a video about the 3 in the future...
I never sold it, and certainly haven’t used it in years, but I doubt that I still have it (although I do still have a QL, 2 MSXs and 5 or 6 old consoles in the loft from my days as a game developer)
If it shows up, I’ll send it to you
@@PeterAlanJohnson Ah yes, the MSX! I remember that, such good times! The QL was also way ahead of its time, loved those two Microdrives!