Freescale has got the Savannah College of Art and Design to come up with some netbook design concepts. Here they are:
It could be Freescale wasted its money. The ideal design for a Netbook has already been done. Ironically by the company which invented the term 'Netbook'.
The Psion V is the finest format ever seen for a pocket computer which is what a Netbook is. You could slip it in your inside jacket pocket. Have loads of space while using it on a plane, Run it off AA batteries. A joy.
The Psion V had that elusive quality, charm. How many Netbooks, scheduled to hit the streets in increasing numbers during the next six months, will have charm?
I bet not a lot.
Hear hear - but sadly knowing what a Psion V is positions me firmly as middle aged...
I know. I know Peter, likewise for me, and I still can't bring myself to chuck my Psion V.
I think the Psion 3 was even better, the power management on it was superb for its day, it lasted ages and was reliable. I don't think the Psion 5 quite lived up to its predecessor, the batteries did not last as long and when flat had a nasty habit of exhausting the memory back up cell as well. The Psion 5 was not as robust as the 3 either and I lost the stylus long ago. Having said that I'd rather have a modern equivalent then my IPAQ which is no where near as good from the ergonomic perspective, needless to say I still have both Psions!
Thanks Analogue Techie, I agree, they are very hard to throw away.
I have to concur !! I had a series 3, then a 3a, and finally a 5mx. I used these continuously from 1991 to 2002 with the data being transferred each time. I never lost any data or suffered any crashes. The 5mx only died when soaked in fresh orange juice !!
The 5mx became part of me. The calender and to-do functions were just a dream to use - in fact nothing has ever come close since. In fact although I have a windows smart phone + outlook, I use a real diary too cos its just too clumsy.
I think that in practice, a 5 re-engineered with todays technology would not just make a good netbook, but also a smart phone. It's just do-able I think. Kind of iPhone + S5
Frobs
Brilliant, Frobs, your last 2 sentences are exactly what I want too.
Hi David,
very true. I had loads of different PDAs including the HP 100LX and when I got a Psion 5mx it was just completely different - charm is a great way to describe it. What is really surprising is the way you would expect each new generation to incorporate all the best features of everything that's gone before (like the fold out keyboard) and yet this doesn't happen. The to-do list on Outlook is a good example of this - complete rubbish compared with Psion's.
Paul.
Paul, Great to hear from you. You couldn't be more right. If only Psion would produce a modern Netbook or someone else would copy the old Psion format with modern technology. That would be a must-have product for me, all the best, David
I agree. It is still on my desk, full of useful data. It is the only keyboard you can actally use with normal fingers! I have used Sony PDA's and Sony Ericsson Smartphones. Both have been thrown away, but the Psion survives.
That says it all, Chris, this was a very special product. We need a 'Bring back the Psion V format' campaign. Psion, of course, have just settled a lawsuit with Intel over the ownership of the word 'Netbook'. Maybe they have enough money to bring out an updated Psion V. That would be a great thing.
I have an HP 200LX palmtop which I still use most days. Earlier this year I looked into 'upgrading' to something more contemporary - and I just couldn't find anything with a decent keyboard and with this pocket-sized form factor. Netbooks are too large and smart phone keyboards are too small; OK for text msgs, but that's all. So yes - I believe there is a market for a palmtop Psion/HP replacement. The nearest I found is www.openpandora.org but that looks to be work-in-progress.
aaah...I am amongst friends here....3a and then Revo user here...still got my revo and an old nokia phone, all I need now is the functionality of both properly combined and I'd be happy.
Unfortunately my revo back up memory battery finally died and I have been unable to find a way to get it fixed (any ideas anyone?), so I recently went on a search for a decent smart phone that did all the revo did plus a phone...and failed. I tested the G1, the iPhone, various jap flavours (all too small for the keyboard) and several Blackberry flavours. None met my requirements as an input device...several exceeded them as mobile web browsers though.
So a series 5 with its simple to use apps, and a revo/5 keyboard (still the best after all this time) integrated into that wonderful clam shell. I don't know why no-one else uses this design....did psion patent it?.
Lets have a brit built smart phone and netbook manufacturer for the enterprise business user please....come on psion, use that intel cash wisely.
Absolutely. I loved my Psion 5 and it went everywhere. It got nicked so I got a 5mx. Trouble is I managed to drop it so it's not quite rgiht, though probably fixable. I got a little Sony (palm based) but it wasn't the same. Then an iPaq - much more sophiistictaed but not quite as nice, though I still use it for its GPS and as an emergency phone.
Now I use an iPod Touch for casual web-surfing (via Wi-Fi), calendar, contacts and some other apps. I agree that a Psion + iPhone would be a killer!
Peter, let's hope someone, preferably Psion, sees the light
Let's hope they do, Geoff
Hi
my background: equity trader and CEO of an investment company so I find myeslf busy and have always researched, used and continue use extremely high end computer and internet equipment. I also used to design and produce videogames on psx, pc and ps2.
Subsequently I support what I have read on this board from my experiences.
I have owned ALL the Nokia communcators (ok but how did they make a mess of symbian), most of the blackberries (inc bold and curves), iphone (but crash and no bloomberg or keyboard) and have been using alienware and macbook pro for my pc and mac stuff.
Since stopping to use my mc218 (psion 5mx) I have had to use a normal diary. writing notes and emails is still too fiddly on a berry. anyway i have just ordered a new mc218 and psion netbook (series7) to put on my desk to do everything outside of my algos and trading. psion are still no1.
I found out that the guys responsible for the netbook, series 3 and 5mx went off and designed and produced: the ipod, the tomtom and DAB radio. End of.
I am though looking forward to the palm pre. it has infa red so maybe we can use our psions! :)
Best
Tom
ps netbook pro any good? (no Epoc)
I used the Psion 5mx when it first came out and I am still using it. I have 6 sets - kept buying when screen cable broke.
The NetbookPro running on .Net 4.2 is completely useless compared to Netbook or Netbook Series 7. I have one of each. If somone is able to just port over the EPOC to Netbook pro, he has a big winner on his hands.
The integration of the EPOC software is so great and intuitive that there is virtually no comparison.
I let a new user play with both netbook and netbookpro and after one day, the netbookpro is in the dustbin!
Regards
cslim
Thank you, cslim, that's an excellent idea
I absolutely agree. The Psion V was the best. Every week or so I take it out to throw away, but cannot bring myself to do it. Why Psion stopped when they were ahead in the race I really cannot understand.
Josef
Hi All,
I have a 5 and 5mx and as far as I'm concerned are the best mobile devices for blog/journalistic writing. I think its the combination of super-long battery life, excellent tactile keyboard and simple applications. If I had a web browser on the machine, I think that would just distract me!
In response to cslim's post above, I have recently sent my 5mx off for repair to psionflexi.co.uk. They will replace the existing screen cable with a superior one. Definitely worth the cash in my eyes especially as it will bring back all of your Psions ;-)
Cheers,
Rusty
Thanks Rusty G, that's a useful tip
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Betty
http://cellularaccessoriess.com
Thanks, Betty
Hi,
The designs in the pics look really cool.The Psion V is really nice netbook with well-built design.It has good functionality also.
Well said, r4 revolution, I couldn't agree more
I wonder how many of these ageing psion devices are still in daily use. I still organise all my private and work stuff on my 5mx. Its success I feel is in its ability to fit into ones lifestyle as a useful tool and not a fiddly gimmick. It is an integral part of my daily life from alarm clock to bed time reading and all the aps in-between. I to would also love to see an iphone/psion combo. Preferably designed by the team that developed all those great psion devices.
Spot on Simon, I couldn't agree more.
Has anyone any comments about the psixpda which has just come onto the market? The form factor is the same as the psion dimensionally.
It is being billed as the next psion.
Oh, and please don't throw away those old psions they are still great for email/sms messaging, spreadsheets, data files, contacts. I use mine to read breaking news via my IR phone daily, using Opera, backs up to my PC without hitch. If you like/need to type on the go its fantastic, any interruption just close the lid, pocket it and everything is instantly saved, find a quiet few minutes flip open the lid and start typing instantly, no waiting around, bootups or hibernating. I would love a modern replacement. I just haven't found one yet.
How did psion produce the best mobile pc over ten year ago and never upgrade, eee pc and the netbooks are clunky and cheap. How could psion throw away such a leac that today gas never been surpassed. I had a netbbok for sevral years and replaced it for a IBM ultalight, what a mistake. Why do psion not listen to loyal customers? Why not licence a new version if the clam?
Brilliant idea, Chris j, I wish they would