My little attendant (Psion Series 3mx)

Member Name: cabguy

Product:	Psion Series 3mx
Date:	15/03/02 (857 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Versatility, input by keyboard, low demands

Disadvantages: small keys, but you get used to it

For a few years a Series 3 Psion is my daily attendant. Started with a 3a I use a 3mx now. Compared to all those modern palmtops the 3mx of course is something like a dinosaur, but I still prefer this pet as a faithful friend as despite its versatility this one is most simple in its functions and operation. I could list all the technical details now (no one would be impressed) but I better tell you something about the way I use that palmtop.

This opinion for example I typed in its first German version into the word processor of my Psion while I was waiting for customers in my taxi. Although the keys are quite small after a while you can use the keys almost as fast as on a conventional keyboard.

A handheld with a keyboard besides the option of working on spreadsheets was one of the most important reasons why I choose a Psion instead of anything else. Other instruments with touchscreens, coloured displays or MP3 functions may be much more enviable, but if they don't work on spreadsheets or force me on exercises with a touchpen they are nothing but a toy for me. (a fascinating as I have to admit)

The Psion is my preferred attendant in all those situations where a notebook would be too bulky or too complicated.

Have you ever been working on a notebook in a taxi while waiting for customers? "Hello...may I enter? Can you take me to..." Ooops, save file 1, close application A, save file 2, close application B, exit the computer.....wait.....wait....done. Put the notebook back to it's bag, put the bag into the boot...where's the customer??? Uuh, gone.
In the same time I could have worked on several messages, dates and notes, or...push the exit-hotkey and start a worthwhile tour with a passenger.

Did you ever have a brilliant idea while being busy in the bathroom? Do you often despair of your missing Filofax or notebook just in the moment you need it most to look for a telephone number or a clients ad
dress?

The hourglass icon you are used to while booting your desktop PC or loading an application is nothing you will ever be bothered with while using a Psion. Every application starts immediately as it's called up, even when using multitasking. The only limitation is the memory of 2 MB (don't laugh...) but even this is only marginally as the applications demand only little space.
While using the word processor I may as well work at the same time on 5 different text-files, 3 data banks, 2 spreadsheets, 2 files of the application "Money", 1 sound-file, the agenda, the world time clock, and the file manager just to give an example on it. Between any of the used applications you may change with just a short-key, move contents and cut and paste for example.
You might think the 30MHz processor may quit with a crash soon when working that hard. But far from it! Since 1996, when I started with my first Psion I couldn't count the crashes on my desktop PC but I never had even one with my Psion. Blue screen? A Psion doesn't know, what that means! I am still waiting for a computer to be as reliable as this handheld.

The screen has a size of 5 inches x 1,72 inches which really isn't too bad and still even much wider then most of the other handheld models. Almost every application may be zoomed in 3 to 6 steps to give you the variety from a well overview until a detailed view. In case of bad lighting you may switch on a background light or change the contrast in 16 steps. The resolution is 480x160 pixels. Nothing breathtaking you might reply having the stunning quality of the latest digicams in your mind. But you are not going to install something like Corel Draw on a handheld, will you? For the intended purpose the screen really is o.k.

The energy consumption is low. With two AA batteries you may work up to 40 hours which means a period of about 3 months in the way I use it. And this is several times a day.


With two slots for additional memory cards you can either extend the memory or use additional applications. I do the latter with using "Psion-Money" and the 4-languages "Berlitz-Interpreter" steadily. "Psion-Money" manages all my private cash expenses and my bank account. All common statistics are included with that software. Any desired categories, standing orders and currencies may be configured freely.

But even with the standard software you may solve many ordinary problems. Besides the MS-WORD compatible word processing you find a d-base-compatible database, an MS-EXCEL/MS-WORKS compatible spreadsheet, an agenda, a clock with a large variety of different alarms, a world-time-clock, a calculator (standard and scientific), a notepad, a file-manager, a sound-editor (microphone included) and an OPL-programming-language.

My own priority is the agenda. The daily schedule reminds me to important dates either with or without sound, shows a to-do-list and changes to a weekly, monthly or yearly overview as I like. Overlapping dates cause an alarm and are marked. Recurring dates may be set automatically, even if it's only the 2nd day of any third week or something like that.
Since I use my Psion no dustbin keeps being left without being emptied, no date for the next vaccination of the dog has been missed and no birthday forgotten.
A nice option if using an acoustic alarm is to take an own recording. What about the loving voice of your wife to remind you about the shopping to be done after work? Or the laugh of your little baby to wake you up the next morning in your hotel abroad?
But mind you not to leave the handheld unobserved on your desk. You might be faced with an embarrassing alarm if your colleagues or your wife leave an inappropriate message on the sound recorder. ;-) To avoid that you may protect your Psion with a password.

Quite often I use the data base as well. Private an
d official addresses are saved in different files as well as a list of my favourite books or an overview for all those different insurance numbers, just to name a few sensible examples.
The configuration follows your demands and only active items are shown. The search-engine presents the results without any delay, even if the database is big.

The spreadsheet is tremendously handy. If you are familiar with the basic Excel commands you can create any calculation you like. In my case it's a spreadsheet about the fuel-consumption of my car, another spreadsheet to calculate the taxi proceeds, another one to calculate different fares and so on. If required diagrams are shown as well.

The file manager lists the files in two windows and is MS-DOS based. Copying, moving, deleting and working on the file attributes is very similar as you are used to with any of the common programs on your home PC. If you are still familiar with MS-DOS you get quickly used to the short keys of any processing.

The sound editor is well for short jobs but you should avoid longer recordings. 10 seconds in a standard quality demand 80 KB. This is bearable for short notes or the cry of joy of your little baby, but it does not replace a dictating machine.
The recorded file may be treated with different options such as echoes, different speeds, reverse play and pasting of other records, but let's face it, this feature is not really to be taken seriously. Take it for fun, it's a nice game.

As talking of games: There are lots to be found at the internet as well as hundreds of other applications, many of them offered as freeware. One of my favourite games is "SameGame", very simple but still challenging even after the 50th lap and ideal for a short brake.

Saving the files is a pushover. The included serial cable and the software "Psi-Win" (current version 2.3, Freeware if downloaded from the Psion website www.psio
n.com, but 25MB!) allow a fast and most simple backup.

As a whole the Psion for me is an indispensable and unbeatable companion in my every days work.
Of course Palms, Handsprings, or whatever the current models are called, are looking better and are much more enviable. But for me no other handheld can hold a candle to a Psion. Although - if I had to choose once more I have to admit I wouldn't buy the Psion 3mx. It would be the Psion Revo Plus! ;-)
But as my 3mx still works without failure I wouldn't spend a fortune on a new Psion just to have a better design and a few more options. I recommend this handheld to everyone who is satisfied with a high performance reduced to the essential options.

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