From: pfund3@uni2a.unige.ch (Daniel `HB9VBC' Pfund)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.psion.announce,comp.sys.palmtops,comp.answers,news.answers
Subject: PSION Series 3/3a palmtop FAQ part 1/6
Followup-To: comp.sys.psion.misc
Approved: news-answers-request@mit.edu,kaufman@mcs.com
Summary: This article is a collection of information on the Psion
Series 3(a) palmtop computers. It should be read by anyone
intending to post to the comp.sys.psion.* newsgroups.
Archive-name: psion-faq/part1
Version: $VER: Psion FAQ v2.6 (Jun 1997)
Posting-Frequency: monthly
URL: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/8130/faq.htm
PSION SERIES 3/3a FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Original author: Chris Wesley
Actual author & maintainer: Daniel Pfund
Jun97 - v2.6
Welcome to the FAQ for the
comp.sys.psion.* Usenet hierarchy. Find the contents table below.
Questions and constructive comments are welcome. Send them to me at:
Pfund3@uni2a.unige.ch
IMPORTANT NOTE: this article does not contain any software infos on
the Series 3c or the Siena. I will NOT include specific
informations concerning these new machines (except hardware stuff).
Maybe there will be a Series3c/Siena FAQ written by someone else in the
future?
-CHANGE-Indicates a change since last version
- NEW! -Indicates an addition since last version
Contents
part 1
- I. DISCLAIMER
- II. CREDITS
- III. COPYRIGHT
- IV. FAQ UPDATES
- V. WHERE CAN I GET THIS FAQ?
- VI. NEWSGROUP NETIQUETTE
1. INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION
- 1.1 What is the Psion Series 3/3a?
- 1.2 Which model should I buy?
- -CHANGE-1.3 When will the "new" Psion come out?
- -CHANGE-1.4 What other machines does Psion make?
- 1.5 What other palmtop alternatives are there?
part 2
- - NEW! -1.6 Where can I purchase a Psion?
- 1.7 How can I contact Psion?
2. HARDWARE
- 2.1 Hardware specifications
- 2.2 What batteries does the Psion use?
- 2.3 How long do the batteries last?
- 2.4 How does the Psion measure the battery usage?
- 2.5 How can I make my batteries last longer?
- 2.6 Can I use an external power supply?
- 2.7 Can I upgrade my Solid State Disk (SSD)?
- 2.8 Can I upgrade my internal RAM?
- 2.9 Can I change the keyboard?
- 2.10 Can I use a big (normal) keyboard?
- 2.11 How can I build a serial link?
- 2.12 How can I build a parallel link?
- 2.13 What is this "soap on a rope" thing?
- 2.14 How do I print with my Psion?
- 2.15 Can I take my Psion through an X-Ray machine?
- 2.16 Can my Psion wipe out magnetic data?
3. SOFTWARE
- 3.1 How do I reset my Psion?
- 3.2 What is killing a process?
- 3.3 How can I save what's on the screen?
- 3.4 What is the soak test?
- 3.5 How can I find a text in my memos with Agenda?
- 3.6 How can I make the cursor bigger?
- 3.7 How can I take out the "hum" when I record sounds?
- 3.8 How safe is password protection?
- 3.9 How can I change the icon of a program?
part 3
- 3.10 How can I permanently change the distance units in World?
- 3.11 Why do some programs crash with an "Invalid arguments" error?
- 3.12 Why is my Psion not switching itself off automatically anymore?
- 3.13 How can I change the fonts in the system applications?
- 3.14 Is Perl ported to the Psion?
- 3.15 How do I undelete a file if I've accidentaly deleted it?
- 3.16 How can I synchronize my desktop agenda with my Psion's?
4. TIPS & TRICKS FOR GENERAL USE
- 4.1 Known hardware problems & solutions
- 4.2 Known software problems & solutions
- 4.3 Other official Psion repair centres
- 4.4 User groups
- 4.5 Online services
- 4.6 Bulletin boards (BBSes)
- 4.7 Magazines
- 4.8 "Anti-thief" tips
- 4.9 Lost/stolen Psions
5. SHAREWARE AND FREEWARE
- 5.1 Relevant FTP sites
- 5.2 WWW internet sites
- 5.3 Shareware for those without online access
part 4
6. CONNECTING YOUR PSION
- 6.1 With an IBM or clone
- 6.2 With an Amiga
- -CHANGE-6.3 With a UNIX machine
- 6.4 With a Macintosh
- 6.5 With an Atari
- 6.6 With an Acorn Archimedes or Risc PC
- 6.7 With a serial modem
- 6.8 With a PCMCIA modem
- 6.9 With a packet radio TNC
- 6.10 With a cellular phone
- 6.11 Via the IrDA port (3c/Siena)
- 6.12 Terminal emulation
- 6.13 TCP/IP stack
part 5
7. THE EMULATOR
- 7.1 Limitations & bugs
- 7.2 Tips & tricks
- 7.3 Changing permanently the keyboard mapping
8. PROGRAMMING
- 8.1 Overview of development possibilities
- 8.2 OPL programming directly on the Psion
- 8.3 OPL programming from a PC
- 8.4 C Development on PC
- 8.5 Advanced C Development on a PC
- 8.6 Available books
- 8.7 How to do various things: tips & tricks
A. SHAREWARE/FREEWARE AVAILABLE SOFTWARE
- A.1 Applications
- A.2 Games
part 6
B. COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SOFTWARE, SERVICES & ACCESSORIES
- B.1 Business & Legal
- B.2 Education
- B.3 Drawing, Leisure & Guides
- B.4 Navigation
- B.5 Communications & Utilities
- B.6 Diet, Health & Safety
- B.7 Time Management
- B.8 Mapping & Surveying
- B.9 Databases
- B.10 Services
- B.11 Books & Accessories
This article is provided "as is" without any express or implied
warranties. While every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy
of the information contained in this article, neither the authors, the
maintainer or the contributors will assume responsibility for errors
or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information
contained herein. This document is compiled in spare time for free,
and I cannot resource thorough checking of all its contents. However,
I am interested in making the FAQ as good as it can be, so your
constructive feedback is welcome.
This FAQ is not sponsored or endorsed by Psion PLC or any subsidary
companies they may own in any way.
This FAQ is *NOT* intended as a replacement of the
User Guide which comes with each Psion. Be sure to read that first
and - most important - please double read the manual and this FAQ
before posting any questions to the
comp.sys.psion.* hierarchy!
To create this document Chris (the original FAQ author) reviewed the
Newsgroup activity of the old comp.sys.psion (it has split on the 19th
of June 1996) group over some months, used that to generate a list of
Frequently Asked Questions, used THAT to generate a FAQ structure,
then populated it with extracted wisdom from the news traffic. So a
lot of information here is provided by the newsgroup contributors, who
are too numerous to credit individually. (Chris said "I'm just the
clerk that put it all in one place.") Special thanks go to Markus
Illenseer, who owned the first (Series 3) FAQ - from which Chris also
extracted useful information. Chris also thanked Clive D.W. Feather,
Daniel Senie, Roger Burton-West, for extensive helpful comments on his
preliminary FAQ. I would like to thank Mark Gould and Jason Savage
for their precious help and comments. Other contributors are credited
in the sections they provided special help in compiling.
If you have a question which is not answered in the actual FAQ, please
Email it to me (Daniel Pfund, see address at the top of this FAQ),
otherwise if you want more information from one specific section of
this FAQ, please try to contact the author of that section first. All
the Email addresses of people mentioned in this FAQ are listed here
for convenience (in alphabetical order):
Andrew Baldwin Andrew-Baldwin@psion.com
Michael Baas Michael@psiologic.com
Daron M. Brewood dbrewood@nest.demon.co.uk
Roger Burton-West rburtonw@nyx10.cs.du.edu
Mark Chapman mavc@cix.compulink.co.uk
Steve Clack sclack@cix.compulink.co.uk
Nick Craig-Wood ncw@axis.demon.co.uk
Alban Debeaupuis A.Debeau@ellis.fdn.org
Mike Dolan m.dolan@bcs.org.uk
Tom Dolbilin tdolby@ncsa.uiuc.edu
Paul DuBois dubois@primate.wisc.edu
Clive D.W. Feather clive@demon.net
Mark Gould Mark.Gould@bris.ac.uk
Roman Habrat romek@robix.comp.waw.pl
Steve Hawtin steve@tsort.demon.co.uk
Jochen Hollmann jnhollma@immd4.informatik.uni-erlangen.de
Charlotte Holmquist ch@advivum.se
Markus Illenseer Markus@tiger.teuto.de
Erik Johansen ej@it.dtu.dk
Uwe Kallmeyer uwek@yedik.escape.de
Edwin Klement eklement@crcg.edu
Dan Ko daniel@danielko.demon.co.uk
Philippe Lebreton lebreton.p@ccmail.cgi.fr
Steve Litchfield slitchfield@cix.compulink.co.uk
Neil Masson nmasson@datlog.co.uk
Roger Muggleton hzk@cix.compulink.co.uk
Blake Nancarrow blaken@computer-ease.com
Daniel Pfund Pfund@POBoxes.com
Angus Rae angusr@festival.ed.ac.uk
Dan Ramage Damage@juno.com
Alan Roberts alanr@rd.bbc.co.uk
Konstantin I. Saliy kis@ipmce.ru
Jason Savage Jason_Savage@mbnet.mb.ca
Daniel Senie dts@world.std.com
Jochen Siegenthaler jochen.siegenthaler@alcatel.ch
Bruce Stephens stephens@math.ruu.nl
Toby Smith tcs@cs.bham.ac.uk
Oliver Wagner owagner@lsd.wupper.de
Lloyd Wasser LWasser@infowave.net
John A. Watson JAWatson@thelcastle.win-uk.net
Chris Wesley Chris@people.demon.co.uk
Walter Wright wally@ceemore.demon.co.uk
If you happen to change addresses or know the new address of someone
on this list, please Email it to me, thanks!
I assert copyright on this document. I encourage you to distribute it
widely, but only in its complete and original form and if you do not
make any money out of it.
For the time being, I (Daniel) am the keeper of the FAQ. If you have
comments or suggestions, corrections, or you have some information you
want to see added or a request that I find some new answers, please
let me know. Please contact me via the Email address at the top of
the FAQ, or if that address doesn't work anymore (will stop working
around the 20th of October 1997), then contact me at:
pfund@poboxes.com
which (should) work all the time by forwarding me my mail to my
current account. If all else fails, do a web search on my name or
check out my current homepage for more info at:
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/8130/
You're reading it aren't you? SAVE it :-). This FAQ is part of the
"official" news.answers FAQs and is posted
monthly to comp.sys.psion.announce
and cross-posted to comp.sys.palmtops,
comp.answers, and
news.answers. If you don't have reliable Usenet access, you can also
retrieve the FAQ by:
- FTP
- This article is archived at any site that archives news.answers.
- News.answers' main archive is at rtfm.mit.edu,
and this article is available there via anonymous ftp in the directory
/usenet/news.answers/psion-faq/partX
- Other news.answers FAQ archives are:
- You probably will find a location closer to you with the help of
archie or some other search tool. Usually, the news.answers
FAQs are held in a directory like "usenet/usenet-by-group/news.answers/"
and you would be looking for the "psion-faq" subdirectory in there.
- EMail
- You can use the mailserver at rtfm: send a message containing the
lines "send usenet/news.answers/psion-faq/*" to receive all parts or
send a message containing "help" and "index" to
mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu
for more information on how to obtain seperate parts.
- WWW
- There is a HTMLized version of this FAQ on my homepage at
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/8130/faq.htm (Note that
there is no "l" at the end of "htm", this is not a typo!) Please use
this site for any reference from your own web pages because it is
under my direct control and easily changeable. It contains links to all
the Psion HTML FAQ mirrors available in the world as well as an archive
file of both the text and the HTML versions of the FAQ for easy
downloading and offline reading.
- There are also numerous WWW sites archiving all the news.answers FAQs.
My favorite site is in Oxford at:
http://www.lib.ox.ac.uk/internet/news/
Please do NOT Email me or anybody else mentioned in
this FAQ for the latest version. We simply cannot handle such matters effectively.
If the date at the top of this FAQ is more than a couple months old,
there is probably a new version available online.
If you're interested to learn how I prepare this FAQ, you can check out
my page about that at:
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/8130/howfaq.htm
I thought it might be useful to include a few words about using the
comp.sys.psion.* newsgroup
hierarchy. We get a steady trickle of
transgressions and the ensuing admonishments. Maybe we can fix these
before they happen in future. Egg-sucking grannies may skip this
section. (Does that work outside the UK?)
- READ THE FRIENDLY MANUAL (RTFM) and then the FAQ before posting any
questions! Remember that thes groups are here to help you out but
only if the answer can't be found by yourself. Also remember that
each time you're posting a question to the group, hundreds (if not
thousands) of people will read your question. If the same questions
come up again and again, people will just get bored and not answer
anymore...
- DON'T BE RUDE. Obvious? Apparently not. Our newsgroup is an oasis
of civilization in a sea of adolescent vitriol and worse. Let's
keep it that way. Say it nicely or don't say it at all. If you
need to be uncomfortably direct, do it in personal mail - don't post
it.
- When responding to a post, most handlers will give you an edit pad
with the original post inserted. Delete most of this, leaving only
the part which will set the context for your reply. This is more
effective communication, it cuts down on crud to scan through, and
reduces phone bills for those that pay them.
- Official NETIQUETTE says you should not use the net for advertising,
but the prevalent view here is that the current level of activity is
useful without being obtrusive.
- Posting binaries is definitively not recommended in the
comp.sys.psion.* usenet groups!
There is a seperate Psion binaries
group called comp.binaries.psion
which is a moderated group. The
moderator is Erik Johansen. If you wish to post to this group,
either Email your binary directly to the news group's Email address:
psion-binaries@it.dtu.dk
and it will arrive to the moderator or if
your news program is configured correctly, post it directly to the
group. You will receive a message in return usually in a laps of
2-3 days maximum to confirm your binary. It has been agreed that
very large programs which are not Psion specific (ie: don't run
directly on the Psion) should NOT be posted there but to the
relevant computer group. But you should send a small message to the
comp.binaries.psion
group stating that you have just posted your
program. It is also common practice to send a description of your
binary; it helps to know if it's worth downloading it or not!
Usually, this description has the same subject line but with
part0(/x) suffix. All postings to this group have been archived and
are indexed on the following FTP site:
ftp.it.dtu.dk/pub/psion/index.html
- Consider whether you should be mailing or posting. PING-PONG
personal dialogues may - or may not - be of interest to others. If
not, please don't post.
- Post to the relevant newsgroup, and please don't cross-post!
Here's a guide to help you:
- comp.binaries.psion
Used for ALL Psion binaries. Also used for large source code.
- comp.sys.psion.announce
Used for posting announcements about new programs/hardware; the FAQ
is also posted to this group. This is a low volume group and it's
moderated, that means that all postings must get approved first by
the moderator (Michael L. Kaufman).
If your news server does not send your post to the moderator (but
they all do generally), you can send it yourself directly for
approval at psion@acm.org.
- comp.sys.psion.apps
Used for posting questions/answers to all Psion related programs;
frequented by all Psion programmers to get your feedback and ideas
of course ;-)
- comp.sys.psion.marketplace
Used for selling/buying Psion articles
- comp.sys.psion.misc
Used for any subject which does not fall into one of the other
categories...
- comp.sys.psion.programmer
Used for posting programming questions ( OPL / C / ... ), NOT
programs!
- comp.sys.psion.reviews
Used for posting reviews about Psion programs/hardware. This group
is also moderated by Michael L. Kaufman and again, if your news
server is not set up correctly, you can also send your postings
directly to him at psion@acm.org.
1. INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION
I will describe the more advanced 3a here. Refer to the hardware
section to see what you lose on the Series 3.
The Psion Series 3 and 3a are palmtop computers. Though packaged as
personal organisers, they are fully general, programmable, powerful
computers. The quality of the built-in applications, coupled with the
power saving hardware make Series 3's excellent personal organisers.
The sophisticated operating system, the hardware, the built-in
programming language, and the options to program in C and assembler
make them excellent general-purpose computers, with the major benefits
of compactness and battery endurance.
Optional link facilities can connect the Series 3 to desktop machines,
allowing data backup and access to the resources of the larger machine
from the Series 3. Modems, fax modems, printers and other peripherals
may also be connected via industry-standard serial and parallel
interfaces.
The built-in applications include a database manager, a sophisticated
word processor, time manager, world date/time and dialling codes
database, calculator and spreadsheet. The latest models (1Mb and 2Mb
RAM models) also include the spell checker/thesaurus and a patience
game (solitaire card game). Many other applications are available
commercially and from shareware outlets. More details in the last
part of this FAQ.
The built-in OPL programming system provides a structured BASIC-like
programming language with access to all the features of the machine.
This includes the ability to program polished Windows/Icons/Menus
interfaces like those found in the built-in applications.
The sound interface can record and playback digital sound. DTMF
dialling tones can be created which allow the Series 3a to dial
numbers directly through a telephone.
This question is really a personal matter. I would definitively
suggest getting a Series3a (and not 3) because of the greater screen
resolution. As for which memory model, this depends entirely of your
needs and what you plan on doing with your Psion. In general, the
more memory the better (and keep in mind also that the 1/2Mb models
offer the spell checker/thesaurus and solitaire game which you might
need). If you're reading this, you probably have access to Psion
free/shareware also. You will see that these programs will quickly
fill up your memory ;-) so I would suggest to get the biggest model
(2Mb). If on the other hand, money is tight and you don't plan on
using much more than the Agenda and the built-in apps, then I think a
512k is big enough for you. As you can see, there is no simple
solution to this answer!
Good question... next please!
Joke apart, nobody really knows. So please folks, just stop asking!
Before the 3c was announced, people didn't expect a new Psion until 1997,
but Psion was 3 months early (just in time for Christmas, heh?!).
The reason no one knew exactly is that Psion is quite relunctant to give
such information simply because they've learned from the past (from
Osborne computers to be more precise ;-) .
Psion have formally announced that their will be new machines during the year
1997. By the time you read this, the new "Series 5" will probably be available
as it has been rumoured to come out during June 97. That will mean the end
of this FAQ... as I'm sure the Series 5 will be a must-have fantastic palmtop!
People were hoping for Infrared comms (IrDa compliant), PCMCIA (most
debated!), RISC (ARM 7100) 32bits, pen for navigation (but hopefully
still a keyboard!), backlight ... You see that Psion have added most of
these features into the 3c!
1.4.1 WorkAbout
This is the latest Psion machine. Very comparable to a Psion
Series 3a, it is more robust and has an A-Z keyboard for size reasons.
One nice point: a back lit screen is present. Targeted at the
vertical market, thus not so well known to the general public.
1.4.2 Acorn Pocket Book (by Acorn)
Re-badged Series 3a, aimed at education-related markets. Contains all
the 3a applications, though named differently, plus a spell checker,
thesaurus and a graph plotting application in a 2MB ROM. Password
protection capability is removed. Costs about 20 GBP more than a 3a.
1.4.3 Series 3
The immediate predecessor to the Psion Series 3a is the Series 3. It
is the same machine in size and concept, but is more limited in many
respects. See the hardware comparison table in section 2a for a list
of differences.
1.4.4 Series 3c
The immediate sucessor to the Psion Series3a; was launched 05Sep96
(same time as the Siena). It has the following added features:
- Infra Red connector for Psion to Psion or Psion to printer connections
- RS232c internal connector for fast connections (upto 57k6)
- Toggleable backlight screen (US model only?)
- Data APP includes a table view and sort option
- Agenda supports a month view (finally!)
- Jotter application added
- Calc application cosmetically changed
- Sound editor included
- Filer app (sort of File manager) with the much awaited "move" command ;-)
- OVAL run time in ROM (for programmers)
- Tips on startup a la MS
- Optional add on synchronizers for Lotus Organizer and Schedule+
- Optional self powered PC-CARD (PCMCIA) adapter
But, it must also be noted that the 3c does NOT have the definitions
in it's spelling checker/thesaurus application. Psion didn't have enough
room in the ROM to keep them.
1.4.5 Siena
This is not really a palmtop computer, but should more be classified
as a "PDA" (Personal Digital Assistant). It is basically the same as a
3a but available only in 512k/1Mb RAM versions with a half-sized screen
(240*160 pixels). It also includes Jotter but not Files nor Oval. Next
to the top half of the screen you can find a numeric keypad.
Unexpandable (no SSD slots built-in, but you can buy an SSD adapter);
has built-in RS-232 port. See Psion's web site for more infos.
1.4.6 Organiser II series:
- CM - available in 16K only, 16x2 screen, limited software
- XP - available in 16K or 32K, 16x2 screen, limited software (database, OPL)
- LZ - available in 32K or 64K (LZ64), 20x4 screen, introduced notepad
(basic text processor), dialing codes database, on-screen clock)
There is an Organiser II homepage at
http://homepages.enterprise.net/djw/psion/psion.html
See section 2.1 for the Psion Series 3 and
3a hardware specifications.
Make: Apple
Model: Newton MessagePad 120
- Processor
- Model: ARM 610
- Speed: 20 Mhz
- Bit size: 32-bit
- Display
- Type: Monochrome, reflective LCD
- Pixel Screen size: 320 x 240
- Memory
- Size: 1MB RAM (385K user data & 639K system) or
2MB RAM (1,361K user data & 687K system)
- Expansion slots
- Type: Type II PC-Card (PCMCIA 2.0)
- Number: 1
- Dimensions
- Size (W x D x H): 10.16 x 20.32 x 2.9 cm (4.0" x 8.0" x 1.2")
- Weight: 480 grams (16 ounces)
- Power Requirements
- Batteries: 4 x AA (main) & 1 x CR2032 (backup)
- Battery Life (Approx): Up to 22 hours
- Provision for AC Adaptor: Yes
- Input/Output Ports
- Serial (max speed): Yes, RS-422 8-pin DIN (230,000 bps)
- Parallel: No
- Infrared: Yes, (38,400 bps)
- Other: Optional FAX modem
- Keyboard: Yes, Popup virtual keyboard (QWERTY, Numeric, & Phone pad)
- Included Applications:
- Newton Intelligence (Handwriting Recognition, Object Oriented
Database Programming language and Communications services)
- Calendar (like Agenda)
- NewtonMail (email client)
- To-Do Lists (like Agenda)
- Rolodex-like Address Book (like Data)
- Digital Ink ScratchPad
- Calculator (like Calc)
- World Time Clock (like World)
- Dictionary (13,000 words)
- Notion List Manager (like Data)
Make: Casio
Model: Z-7000 (AKA: Zoomer, Tandy Z-PDA, AST GRiDPad 2390)
- Processor
- Model: NEC V20
- Speed: 7.7Mhz
- Bit size: 16-bit
- Display
- Type: Monochrome reflective, touchscreen
- Pixel Screen size: 320 x 256
- Memory
- Size: 1 Mb (384K user data & 640K system)
- Expansion slots
- Type: Type II PC-Card (PCMCIA 2.0)
- Number: 1
- Dimensions
- Size (W x D x H): 10.76 x 17.62 x 2.6 cm (4.2" x 6.8" x 1")
- Weight: 430 grams (15.2 ounces)
- Power Requirements
- Batteries: 3 x AA (main) & 2 x CR2032 (backup)
- Battery Life (Approx): 100 hours (catalog: 90 hours)
- Provision for AC Adaptor: Yes
- Input/Output Ports
- Serial (max speed): Yes, 10-pin, (19,200 bps)
- Parallel: No
- Infrared: Yes, (9600, Casio)
- Other: Round telescoping pen
- Keyboard: Yes, Virtual Pop-up software QWERTY, A-Z or International
- Included Applications:
- Date Book (like Agenda)
- Address Book (like Data)
- Note Book (Digital Ink Scratchpad & Document Manager with
outliner)
- Pocket Quicken (Financial Organiser)
- America Online (Access software for the service provider of
the same name)
- Calculator (like Calc)
- Forms Calculator
- World Clock (like World)
- Language Translator (26 languages & up 1000 words per
language)
- Games (Solitaire, Pyramid Solitaire & UKI)
- File Manager
- Consumer Information
- U.S. Information
- World Information
Make: Hewlett Packard
Model: 200LX
- Processor
- Model: variable speed Hornet
- Speed: 7.91 MHz
- Bit size: 16-bit
- Display
- Type: CGA-compatible FTN liquid crystal
- Pixel Screen size: 640 x 200
- Memory
- Size: 1 or 2MB of RAM
- Expansion slots
- Type: Type II PC-Card (PCMCIA 2.0)
- Number: 1
- Dimensions
- Size (W x D x H): 16 x 8.64 x 2.54 cm (6.3" x 3.4" x 1")
- Weight: 312 grams (11 ounces)
- Power Requirements
- Batteries: 2xAA (main) & 1xCR2032 (backup)
- Battery Life (Approx): 80 hours
- Provision for AC Adaptor: Yes
- Input/Output Ports
- Serial (max speed): Yes, 9-wire (115K?)
- Parallel: No
- Infrared: Yes
- Other: No
- Keyboard: Yes, QWERTY
- Included Applications:
- Pocket Quicken (Financial Organiser)
- cc:Mail (E-mail client)
- Data Communications (VT-100, ANSI & TTY emulation)
- Lotus 1-2-3 r.2.4 (like Sheet)
- Laplink (like Remote Link) for file transfers
- Appointment Book (like Agenda)
- Phone Book (like Data)
- HP financial calculator (like Calc)
- Memo editor with outliner (like Word)
- Notetaker (like Notepad)
- Database (like Data)
- Filer (like File Manager)
- Worldtime & Stopwatch (like World)
- System Macros
- Application Manager
- Setup Utility
- See also the following WWW site for a more complete comparaison of
Psion3a-HP200lx with over 170 articles:
http://www.primate.wisc.edu/people/dubois/psion/index.html
Make: Hewlett Packard
Model: OmniGo 100 Organizer Plus
- Processor
- Model: Intel 80C186 compatible
- Speed: 16 Mhz
- Bit size: 16-bit
- Display
- Type: FSTN LCD with Touchscreen
- Pixel Screen size: 240 x 240
- Memory
- Size: 1MB RAM
- Expansion slots
- Type: Type II PC-Card (PCMCIA 1.0: SRAM memory cards no Flash
or Modems)
- Number: 1
- Dimensions
- Size (W x D x H): 15.3 x 9.5 x 2.6 cm (6" x 3.7" x 1")
- Weight: 329 grams (11.6 ounces)
- Power Requirements
- Batteries: 2 x AA (main) & 1 x CR2032 (backup)
- Battery Life (Approx): ?
- Provision for AC Adaptor: No
- Input/Output Ports
- Serial (max speed): Yes, 10-wire, (?)
- Parallel: No
- Infrared: No
- Other: Yes, Pen
- Keyboard: Yes, QWERTY (5 function keys)
- Included Applications:
- Appointment book (like Agenda)
- Phonebook (like Data)
- Notepad (like Word)
- Database (like Data)
- Worldtime and stopwatch (like World)
- Jotter (Digital Ink Scratchpad)
- Geoworks Book Reader
- Financial Tools
- Spreadsheet (like Sheet)
- Emulated HP 12C financial calculator (like Calc)
- Graffiti handwriting system (handwriting recognition)
- Transfer (like Remote Link)
- Setup Utility (like Install)
- Solitaire
Make: Motorola
Model: Envoy Communicator
- Processor
- Model: Motorola Dragon 68349
- Speed: 16 Mhz
- Bit size: 32-bit
- Display
- Type: Reflective FSTN Touch Screen
- Pixel Screen size: 480 x 320
- Memory
- Size: 1 MB
- Expansion slots
- Type: Type II PC-Card (PCMCIA 2.0) slots
- Number: 2
- Dimensions
- Size (W x D x H): 14.8 x 19.2 x 2.9 cm (5.8" x 7.6" x 1.2")
- Weight: 770 grams (1.7 pounds)
- Power Requirements
- Batteries: Rechargeable Ni-Cad (main) & 1 x CR2032 (backup)
- Battery Life (Approx): 8 hours
- Provision for AC Adaptor: Yes, combined with Charger
- Input/Output Ports
- Serial (max speed): Yes, 14-pin MagicBus (38,400 bps)
- Parallel: Yes, MagicBus
- Infrared: Yes, FSK compliant
- Other: 2 round full length pens, 4800 bps send/receive radio
packet modem, 9600 bps FAX send modem & 2400 bps data
modem
- Keyboard: Optional, QWERTY
- Included Applications:
- Date Book (like Agenda)
- World Time Clock (like World)
- Address Book (like Data)
- Notebook (like Agenda To-Do List)
- Calculator (like Calc)
- America Online (connection software for the service provider
of the same name)
- AT&T PersonaLink (connection software for the service provider
of the same name)
- SmartWallet
Make: Sharp
Model: ZR-5000 & ZR-5000FX AKA: Zaurus K-PDA
- Processor
- Model: Sharp Proprietary
- Speed: ?
- Bit size: 16-bit
- Display
- Type: DFSTN LCD, Touch screen (finger or stylus)
- Pixel Screen size: 320 x 240
- Memory
- Size: 1MB RAM (750k user data & 250K system)
- Expansion slots
- Type: Type II PC-Card (PCMCIA 2.0)
- Number: 1
- Dimensions
- Size (W x D x H): 17.0 x 10.0 x 2.54 cm (6.7" x 3.9" x 1.0")
- Weight: 385 grams (13.6 ounces approx.)
- Power Requirements
- Batteries: 2 x AA (main) & 1 x CR-2032 (backup)
- Battery Life (Approx): Up to 60 hours (~2 months)
- Provision for AC Adaptor: Yes
- Input/Output Ports
- Serial (max speed): Yes, 15-pin proprietary, (19,200 bps)
- Parallel: No
- Infrared: Yes, (IrDA & ASK Compliant)
- Other: Round pen & FAX modem with ZR-5000FX
- Keyboard: Yes, QWERTY configuration
- Included Applications:
- Activities (like Agenda)
- Contacts (like Data) limited to 3 files
- Data Files (also like Data) limited to 3 files
- Notes (Digital Ink Scratchpad)
- Documents (like Word) with Spell Checker
- Outline (like Outline mode in Word)
- Home & World Clocks (like Time & World)
- Calculator (like Calc)
- Filer (Manages Printing, Faxing, Email & File transfers)
- Messaging (E-mail client)
- FAX/Sending (FAX client)
- Terminal Mode (ASCII & VT-100 emulation)
Make: USR
Model: Pilot
Specs thanks to David Richards at dr@rci.ripco.com
- Processor
- Model: Motorola 68328 "Dragonball"
- Speed: 16 MHz?
- Bit size: 16-bit
- Display
- Type: Monochrome, reflective LCD
- Pixel Screen size: 160 x 160
- Memory
- Size: 512K ROM
- 128K RAM (Pilot 1000), 512K (Pilot 5000), or 1Mb upgrade
- Expansion slots
- Type: Proprietary memory (replaces RAM)
- Number: 1
- Dimensions
- Size (W x D x H): 3.2" x .7" x 4.7"
- Weight: 385 grams (5.7 ounces approx.)
- Power Requirements
- Batteries: 2 x AAA (main)
- Battery Life (Approx): 30 hours
- Provision for AC Adaptor: No
- Input/Output Ports
- Serial (max speed): Yes, Proprietary edge connector (57,600 bps)
- Parallel: No
- Infrared: No
- Keyboard: Yes, Popup virtual keyboard (QWERTY, Numeric, accent)
- Included Applications:
- Date book
- Address book
- To Do List
- Memo pad
- Calculator
End of part 1/6
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All pages coming from
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/8130/ (and this is one
of them!) are copyright 1996
Daniel Pfund.