Rating: 
Summary: The Palmtop Computer delivers its promise.
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: The Next Best Thing to a Laptop - and it fits in your pocket
Review: 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
Rating:
Summary: Europe's Best !!!
Review: The only reason I'm giving the Series 5 four starts instead of five is because it's calling for a color screen and a built-in modem, like some of its competitors. However, the buyer won't be disappointed in any way with the little guy. The keyboard is one of the best (if not the best) of its class, the screen is actually readable and you won't see yourself reflected on it as you do in the PalmPilot and PalmIII (with the exception of the newer Palm IIIx and IV models). What really sets apart this PDA from the competition is its software; the most elegantly designed and useful OS, office suite, and applications among all the PDAs around these days. You can actually do work on this machine. Some Windows CE users won't agree with this, however, I invite the reader to go to an electronics store and try both a Series 5 and a Hand-held PC and she will know what I mean. Do this experiment: Create a spreadsheet with a graph and embed it on a Word document... Then record a voice memo and embed it in both the agenda and the Word document. Good luck with the Windows CE machine. In case you wonder, I own both a PalmPilot and a Series 5. I use the PalmPilot for what it's best: carry information that needs to be accessed anytime, anywhere. However, when I am planning to do some real word processing, use a spreadsheet, or check e-mail from the road I always use the Series 5. The best thing about this devices (all of them) is the synchronizing capabilities with most PIM programs (Outlook, Organizer, etc.). Every time I enter data on one PDA, I can synchronize it later on my PC, and immediately after that, load the information in my other PDA. That way I have my PC and both my PDAs always up to date.
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