The Psion Range

This page provides a quick reference guide to current Psion palmtop computer & pocket organiser models. There are many features not listed here - especially functions of the built-in software - for more information please refer to each machine's page.

Overview
Series 5
Siena
Series 3c
Series 3a 1/2Mb
Series 3a 512/256K

Memory sizes
4 or 8Mb
512K or 1Mb
1 or 2 Mb
256K, 512K, 1Mb or 2Mb

Keyboard
Touch type, 'expanding' & patented
Conventional handheld keyboard

Screen
Touch sensitive, backlit, full page width
Non-backlit
Backlight option
Non-backlit

Screen size
640x240, 100 characters by 26 lines
240x160, 40x17
480x160 pixels, 80 x 17 characters

Size
170x90x23mm
6.7x3.5x0.9"
150x70x18mm
5.9x2.7x0.7"
165x85x22mm
6.5x3.3x0.9"

Weight (incl batteries)
354g (12.5oz)
180g (6.3oz)
275g (9.7oz)

Battery life
2 x AA, 35hrs
2 x AAA, 40hrs
2 x AA, 60 hours

Speed
Fast, modern, 32 bit OS, ARM RISC processor, off screen quick access buttons. Instant access to diary, contacts etc. using application buttonbar, every menu option has a keyboard shortcut, runs a pre-emptive multitasking OS: EPOC16

Magnification
Zoom text & graphics
'Zoom' text to increase or reduce size

Sound
Digital recording, external sound control buttons Preset Sound Generator
Digital recording & editing Digital recording

Software
Series 5
Siena
Series 3c
Series 3a 1/2Mb
Series 3a 512/256K

Rich text
Yes, see graphics, fonts and styles on screen
No

Object embedding
Yes
No

Word processor
Yes, with style sheets, multiple fonts, print preview, zoom, etc

Spell checker & thesaurus
Yes
No
Yes*
Optional extra*

Agenda / tasks
Yes, with numerous customisable settings

Agenda views
4
6
7
6

Agenda entry coding
Yes
No

Spreadsheet
Yes, with graphing

Database
Yes, for contacts, or other information storage, no size limit

Scientific Calculator
Yes

World time
Over 750 cities
Around 500 cities

Programming
Yes, built in language, plus PC development options

Jotter, for quick notes
No
Yes
No

Game
Bombs
No
Patience
No

* USA and UK models only

Connections
Series 5
Siena
Series 3c
Series 3a 1/2Mb
Series 3a 512/256K

Infrared Printing
Yes
Yes, requires free drivers
Yes
No

Prints graphics
Yes
No

Direct Printing
Yes, serial or parallel options

Printing via PC
Yes, with PsiWin, uses TrueType fonts

Windows PC Docking
Yes, included as standard. Latest version available free. PsiWin 2
Optional, PsiWin version 1 connects to standard applications from Lotus, Microsoft, Corel etc. for Windows 3.x, Windows 95 and Windows NT

Macintosh link
Yes, MacConnect
Yes, PsiMac

Maximum serial
link speed
115,000bps
19,200bps
57,600bps
19,200bps

Extra storage
Industry standard CompactFlash, 2, 4 and 10Mb sizes initially
Psion Solid State Disks, available in sizes up to 4Mb (Siena requires the optional SSD drive in order to use them)

Fax
Free, send & receive, available now.
No
Optional, PsiFax, send only

Email
Free, available now
No
Yes, with PsiMail, send/receive messages with file attachments+

+ Not the 256K Series 3a model

Which Handheld ?

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Copyright Psion PLC 1997

Overview	Series 5	Siena	Series 3c	Series 3a 1/2Mb	Series 3a 512/256K
Memory sizes	4 or 8Mb	512K or 1Mb	1 or 2 Mb	256K, 512K, 1Mb or 2Mb
Keyboard	Touch type, 'expanding' & patented	Conventional handheld keyboard
Screen	Touch sensitive, backlit, full page width	Non-backlit	Backlight option	Non-backlit
Screen size	640x240, 100 characters by 26 lines	240x160, 40x17	480x160 pixels, 80 x 17 characters
Size	170x90x23mm 6.7x3.5x0.9"	150x70x18mm 5.9x2.7x0.7"	165x85x22mm 6.5x3.3x0.9"
Weight (incl batteries)	354g (12.5oz)	180g (6.3oz)	275g (9.7oz)
Battery life	2 x AA, 35hrs	2 x AAA, 40hrs	2 x AA, 60 hours
Speed	Fast, modern, 32 bit OS, ARM RISC processor, off screen quick access buttons.	Instant access to diary, contacts etc. using application buttonbar, every menu option has a keyboard shortcut, runs a pre-emptive multitasking OS: EPOC16
Magnification	Zoom text & graphics	'Zoom' text to increase or reduce size
Sound	Digital recording, external sound control buttons	Preset Sound Generator	Digital recording & editing	Digital recording

Software	Series 5	Siena	Series 3c	Series 3a 1/2Mb	Series 3a 512/256K
Rich text	Yes, see graphics, fonts and styles on screen	No
Object embedding	Yes	No
Word processor	Yes, with style sheets, multiple fonts, print preview, zoom, etc
Spell checker & thesaurus	Yes	No	Yes*		Optional extra*
Agenda / tasks	Yes, with numerous customisable settings
Agenda views	4	6	7	6
Agenda entry coding	Yes			No
Spreadsheet	Yes, with graphing
Database	Yes, for contacts, or other information storage, no size limit
Scientific Calculator	Yes
World time	Over 750 cities	Around 500 cities
Programming	Yes, built in language, plus PC development options
Jotter, for quick notes	No		Yes	No
Game	Bombs	No	Patience		No

Connections	Series 5	Siena	Series 3c	Series 3a 1/2Mb	Series 3a 512/256K
Infrared Printing	Yes	Yes, requires free drivers	Yes	No
Prints graphics	Yes	No
Direct Printing	Yes, serial or parallel options
Printing via PC	Yes, with PsiWin, uses TrueType fonts
Windows PC Docking	Yes, included as standard. Latest version available free. PsiWin 2	Optional, PsiWin version 1 connects to standard applications from Lotus, Microsoft, Corel etc. for Windows 3.x, Windows 95 and Windows NT
Macintosh link	Yes, MacConnect	Yes, PsiMac
Maximum serial link speed	115,000bps	19,200bps	57,600bps	19,200bps
Extra storage	Industry standard CompactFlash, 2, 4 and 10Mb sizes initially	Psion Solid State Disks, available in sizes up to 4Mb (Siena requires the optional SSD drive in order to use them)
Fax	Free, send & receive, available now.	No	Optional, PsiFax, send only
Email	Free, available now	No	Yes, with PsiMail, send/receive messages with file attachments+


Last Index \| Home \| International Contacts \| Links \| Map
Copyright Psion PLC 1997