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| Developer | Psion PLC |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Psion PLC |
| Type | SubnotebookPDA |
| Release date | 1997; 28 years ago (1997) |
| Availability | 1997; 28 years ago (1997) |
| Operating system | EPOC32 |
| CPU | CL-PS7110 @18–36 MHz[dubious –discuss] |
| Memory | 4–16 MB |
| Display | 5.6",640 × 240, 16greyscaleLCD |
| Input | Keyboard,touchscreen,microphone |
| Connectivity | RS-232, infra-red,CompactFlash |
| Power | 2AA batteries(10–20h use) |
| Dimensions | 170 × 90 × 23 millimetres |
| Weight | 354 grams (battery included) |
| Predecessor | Psion Series 3 |
| Successor | Psion Series 7 |
| Related | Planet ComputersGemini |
ThePsion Series 5 is apersonal digital assistant (PDA) fromPsion. It was available in two main variants, theSeries 5 (launched in 1997) and theSeries 5mx (1999), the latter having a faster processor, clearerliquid crystal display (LCD), and updated software. There was also a rareSeries 5mx Pro, which differed only in having theoperating system (OS) loaded intorandom-access memory (RAM) and hence upgradeable.Ericsson marketed a version of the Series 5mx renamed asMC218.
The Psion Series 5 was a major upgrade from thePsion Series 3. There was never a Psion Series 4 due to concern abouttetraphobia in Asian markets.[citation needed] The external appearance of the Psion Series 5 and the Psion Series 5mx are broadly similar, but their mainboards, screens and other internal components were different and not interchangeable.
The Series 5 was the first to feature a unique slidingclamshell design, whereby thekeyboard slides forward as the device opens to counterbalance the display, and brace it such thattouchscreen actuation does not topple the device, a feature mentioned in the granted European patent EP 0766166B1.[1] 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 thePsion Revo.
The moving parts and hinges can wear out or break. The most serious common problem arose because of a design fault in the screen cable, where tooling holes caused needless stresses due to extra bending of the cable at this point each time the Psion Series 5 was opened or closed, eventually leading to failure of the cable, which caused a serious display malfunction and horizontal lines appearing. The screen cable to the Psion Series 5 was more durable than the screen cable of the Psion Series 5mx. There was an after-market cable available for the 5mx which aimed to eliminate this problem.
At its heart was the32-bitARM710-based CL-PS7110central processing unit (CPU) running at 18 MHz (Series 5) or 36 MHz (5mx), with 4, 8, or 16 MB of RAM. It was powered by twoAA batteries, typically giving 10–20 hours of use. The display is a touch-sensitive, backlit half-Video Graphics Array (VGA,640 × 240pixel) LCD with 16greyscales. The keyboard, which has a key-pitch of 12.5 mm,[2] is generally considered to be amongst the best for its size, with large-travel keys and touch-type capability. BothRS-232 and infrared serial connections were provided. A speaker and microphone were also provided, giving dictation as well as music playing ability. External storage was onCompactFlash.
TheEPOCoperating system, since renamedSymbian OS, was built-in, along withapplication software including aword processor,spreadsheet,database,email, contact and diary manager, and Psion'sOpen programming language (OPL) for developing software. AJava virtual machine, themobile browser STNC HitchHiker[3] and synchronizing software forMicrosoft Windows was bundled with the 5mx as optional installations and later, theExecutive Edition of the 5mx was bundled with various hardware and software extras, including version 3.62 of theOpera web browser and a mains electric outletadapter. A wealth of third-party software was also available, including games, utilities, navigation, reference, communication, and productivity applications, and standard programming tools likePerl andPython.
Anopen-source software project, OpenPsion, formerly PsiLinux,[4] supportsLinux on the Psion 5mx and other Psion PDAs.
Psion's experience designing for this form factor and attention to detail made these machines a favourite with power users, many of whom kept using them despite their age and the appearance ofSymbian OS formobile phones and other PDAs with more impressive specifications.
In 2017, a team of original Psion engineers created astartup company, Planet Computers, to make anAndroid device in a similar form factor, theGemini (PDA). The Cosmo Communicator is a development of this device, enhancements including an external touchscreen on the rear of the clamshell lid, mainly to facilitate use as a mobile phone without opening. In 2022 they introduced an updated model called "Astro Slide 5G",[5] but according to many backers on the Indiegogo crowdfunding website, have largely failed to deliver the product to many that paid for it and have since 2023 not provided any further updates on the project, leaving the backers disappointed and asking for their money paid to be returned.
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