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Given how great the PalmPilot is--and how well it performs what it was designed to do--it might seem almost unneccessary to look at other PDAs and handheld devices. Well, as we all know, people are different and have different needs for palmtop computing. The British handheld maker Psion has attempted to marry the best of pen-based PDAs like the PalmPilot with the keyboard-equipped handheld PC. The result is the Psion Series 5. This small (about the size of fat checkbook), lightweight (12.5 ounces) computer comes outfitted with 4 or 8 megs of RAM (and can be expanded with up to 10MB additional RAM). It has a full VGA width screen and backlighting that can be turned on and off depending on lighting conditions (and how much battery you wanna burn). It uses a 32-bit operating system developed by Psion, called EPOC32. The unit opens in a unique (and rather weird) way, sliding out to reveal a keyboard and a screen tilted back at an extreme angle.
 Unlike similar palmtops, Psion does not bother with the Windows CE OS and standard Windows applications. It comes with a suite of built-in applications including a word processor, spreadsheet, database, and an agenda/scheduler. These apps are compatible with popular desktop programs like Word, Word Perfect, Excel, Lotus 123, Organizer, MS Schedule+, etc. The S5 also comes with a sound recorder, a drawing program, clock, calculator, and other common desktop applications. One of the more unique features of the S5 is a set of audio dictation buttons that are built into the case. To record, you pull back a panel to expose record, rewind, and play buttons. You can record for as long as you have memory (with a 100K safety buffer). Psion claims the S5 will run for up to 35 hours on two AA batteries. The unit comes with PsiWin connectivity software (for connecting to your PC) and a docking cable. To print documents, you can either use the built-in infrared to communicate directly to a similarly-equipped printer (such as the Citizen PN60i), send the docs to your PC for transfer to the printer, or make a direct cable connection to the printer. So what do I think of the Psion? I basically like it. For my pocket computing needs, a PalmPilot is overkill, so I would have no use for the S5. But for someone who wants real computing power, a full suite of PC-like applications, PC compatability, and the ability to use a keyboard instead of a stylus for data entry, the Psion S5 is worth taking for a test drive. Many users have complained about the extreme angle of the screen and how it reflects overhead room lighting. I found this annoying too, but "fixed" the problem by wedging a Post-It Note pad behind the screen (which can be safely done). You can alter the thickness of the pad to get the angle you want. The keyboard, billed as "laptop style," is mighty cramped. If you place it on your lap and try to type, it jumps around 'cause it's so lightweight. And forget trying to see the screen from that far away. It's better on a desk (or in your hand), but still takes some getting used to. I'm a two-finger hunt-n-peek typist, so it's OK for me, but a touch typist would have a tough time trying to cruise on this thing. The action on the keys is also stiff and seemed to thwart any attempt I made to get a good rhythm going. I did do a test comparing my writing speed on the PalmPilot to my typing speed on the S5 and discovered that I was twice as fast (and more accurate) on the S5. If I was going to need to do a lot of wordpro and spreadsheet work, and needed a computer I could carry in a coat pocket or bag, I would seriously consider the S5. I found the applications in the S5 to be more than adequate. Again, a more high-end user might need more sophisticated programs, but I bet that 90% of palmtop users would find these apps meet their basic needs. There is also a free communications suite you can download (browser, email, fax) and a bunch of third-party programs available including Quicken, ACT!, presentation software, GPS mapping software, travel companions, games and lots of other stuff. Psion is now licensing its EPOC32 OS to other companies, such as Philips, for use in other mobile computing devices. They've also recently inked a deal with Sun to port Java to its future EPOC32 devices, allowing developers to create programs entirely in Java for Psion handhelds. I can imagine some users being apprehensive about buying into a handheld that's not a Wince (Windows CE), but given the success of the S5, and what looks like a healthy future, I don't think there's anything to worry about. - Gareth Branwyn [2/25/98] Coming soon: Reviews of the Psion DaCom 56K PC modem card and the Citizen PN60i Infrared "pocket" printer.
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