Psion 5mx

Pro

1 April 2005

Handheld PCs have been growing in popularity ever since the introduction of the Psion Organiser back in 1984 and while they’re unlikely to ever rival the latest notebooks in terms of processing power, they’re a lot easier to carry around.

The first handhelds were really only for those with more money than sense. Not only were they expensive, they were also limited in what they could be used for. However, today’s handhelds have a lot more going for them. As well as being a great work tool, you can also use them to listen to music, record voice data, read e-books and play games.

At present there are three operating systems that count in the PDA market: The Palm, which has lead the market ever since the first Palm Pilot appeared in 1986, Microsoft’s Pocket PC, which replaced the much maligned Windows CE and Psion’s EPOC 32 operating system. Deciding which handheld is best for you is dependent on what you plan to use it for.

Priced at Euro432, the Psion 5mx is something completely different to your average PDA. There may be many people who would argue that the Psion isn’t really a handheld because of its size and in fairness, the 5mx is a monster of a thing. In fact, it looks more like a notebook that’s shrunk in the wash, rather than a palmtop.

What’s more, it doesn’t have nearly as many fancy applications as those you’ll find on a Pocket PC and that we think, is the whole point of the Psion. Put bluntly, it’s a handheld for those of you that find handhelds a nuisance.

Now let’s get one thing clear, there ain’t no way you’re ever going to be able to slip this in your pocket and head off to town, because it’s too big. However, this will fit into your bag and is a handy piece of hardware to have with you. This is in part because its so simple to operate and while it may not be pretty, the 5mx does have a clear monochrome screen that’s easy to read, not least as it’s much bigger than normal handheld screens. Furthermore, the inclusion of a full keyboard as well as a stylus, is nothing short of heaven for those who don’t think they’ll ever get the hang of writing graffiti style.

The Psion is powered by the 32-bit RISC-based ARM710T CPU and runs at 36Mhz. It has 16Mbyte of memory and a CompactFlash slot for extra storage. As well as allowing you to access regular handheld applications such as the memo pad and jotter you can also record audio notes and work on spreadsheets and word documents.

You can also send and receive e-mail or surf the Internet via a mobile phone or through the Psion 56k Travel Modem. While this may not be one of the most glamorous handhelds on the market, we found it to be one of the best because if you’ve ever been near a PC, then you’ll know how to use this.