Anyone Remember the Psion 5MX?

[Gromett]

It was an amazing bit of kit. Looks like something similar will finally be back on the market.
Looks a little bit pricey. However I think it might be perfect for Motorhomers on the road.



PS: I am not recommending anyone fund this project. I think they are a little too ambitious on the timeline and some of the people involved have piqued my suspicions.

But if it happens, I might look for one of these instead of a new phone in a few years.

 

[Chas17]

I had a Psion 3 then 3A in the nineties. Thought they were great and ran my life from them.

 

[SuperMike]

I had a Psion 3 then 3A in the nineties. Thought they were great and ran my life from them.

So did I till I managed to drop it in the bath water. Although at the time I was not laughing.

 

[hilldweller]

I could not afford a 5 when they came out.

This is a beautiful looking piece of kit.

Functionally you could get close right now with a mobile phone and bluetooth keyboard case for under £100. And you'd have a choice of screen sizes. And the flexibility to leave the keyboard behind.

 

[pappajohn]

I've always wondered what happens to the money if the crowd funding only reach's say 60% of the total needed to bring to reality.

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[Sheddy]

I had a Psion in Nigeria in the early 90's which I used on the Rigs to write and print inspection and test certificates / reports, saving them on the flash drives, it was brilliant, the missus modified my overalls with an additional pocket on the side of the leg to carry it. The rig operators were very impressed that they were getting their printed and signed certification before I left the rig.
Great bit of kit, I still have it at home with quite a few of Psion extras.
Cheers
Ed

 

[Langtoftlad]

Ooops double post - lack of physical keyboard no doubt .

 

[olley]

No don't remember it, do you remember the Amstrad 1512? I still have the PPC "portable" version sitting in the loft.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Psion 3a fan here - still got 2 in working order, though I don't use them.
Think I might also have a 5mx squirrelled away...
Brilliant bits of kit but done down by the bigger marketing budget of the inferior Palm Pilot.
Of course the world has moved on - tablets & smartphones have taken over. I can't see a market segment for a revamped Psioneer 5mx. The USP of Psion was the operating system, and that of course hasn't been developed over the years.

Also had an original Asus Eec pc Netbook,
running on Linux, good idea but didn't really catch on, probably again due to the iPad's introduction.

 

[GJH]

I had a Psion 5MX for several years. Used it for my first e-mails on the move using IR to communicate with my mobile phone.

There was something on offer similar to the device in the OP a few years ago. If I recall correctly it was sold by Maplins and used a Vodafone SIM.

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[DBK]

On a vaguely related note Google have announced they are rolling out their digital assistant to phones running the latest Android software. Initially in the US but with the UK to follow. My phone had Android 7 so no doubt it will start talking to me soon and I am sure there will be a way to turn it off! I think the consensus is the Amazon one is better but Google will be working on improving theirs.
It shouldn't surprise people to see the trend to increase mobile phone capabilities. They are already very good cameras for most people's needs plus all the digital stuff like watching films etc.

 

[ceejayt]

Yes - and loved it. Even had navigation on it - wonderful bit of kit

 

[GJH]

There was something on offer similar to the device in the OP a few years ago. If I recall correctly it was sold by Maplins and used a Vodafone SIM.

This was it - Datawind Ubisurfer. Around 7 or 8 years ago. Overpriced and under powered if I recall correctly.

 

[Gromett]

I could not afford a 5 when they came out.

This is a beautiful looking piece of kit.

Functionally you could get close right now with a mobile phone and bluetooth keyboard case for under £100. And you'd have a choice of screen sizes. And the flexibility to leave the keyboard behind.

Not really, that combo won't fit into your pocket like the MX would. I just loved the clam shell format, really nice keyboard.
The problem for me was memory and connectivity.

This new one runs on linux so I will be able to do all my command line (SSH) stuff when out and about. I just can't do that on a phone or even a tablet.. For me if this comes off it means I can dump my phone, and not have to carry a laptop to the pub etc anymore. With the USB port I can take a usb to serial adapter with me if I need to go to a data centre. There is just so much I could do with this that I can't do on a tablet or phone.

Also had an original Asus Eec pc Netbook,
running on Linux, good idea but didn't really catch on, probably again due to the iPad's introduction.

I still have my EEEPC in my drawer. Fantastic little micro laptop, but again doesn't fit in the pocket like the MX did.

This new device will have wifi, and 3G/4G built in. So I can use it as a phone via a bluetooth adapter. I can use it to answer emails, I will be able to keep my accounts on it, SSH onto servers and much more. All this in a device I can carry in my pocket.

I am slightly excited to say the least.

If it is as good as the MX was but brought up to date, I may even be able to get rid of 2 or 3 of my laptops

 

[paddymcc]

I still have my Psion 5 somewhere with a cracked screen. It was v good especially the database it had on it. After that I had a Dell Axim and did use it with a bluetooth keyboard but I agree it didn't match the robust clamshell design (how did I crack the screen you may ask) for ease of use.

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[hilldweller]

I am slightly excited to say the least.

Calm down dear, it's already obsolete.

 

[Mr Mousy]

I bought one of these back in the 80s. Not sure what I used it for but I am a sucker for gadgets. It is hiding somewhere in the loft.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Well, I must be a saddo because I still have them...
But it's a testament to their build quality that with 2 new AA batteries they still work !

I wonder if the 5mx still has any practical use?

 

[Gromett]

I wonder if the 5mx still has any practical use?

You have one and you still ask a dumb ass question like that

 

[pyro]

I bought one of these back in the 80s. Not sure what I used it for but I am a sucker for gadgets. It is hiding somewhere in the loft.

View attachment 150135

Still in use in the military until 5 years ago. Brilliant little chaps for simple tasks, very rugged and "squaddie proof". Still got a couple of them

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[Langtoftlad]

You have one and you still ask a dumb ass question like that

Yes .
I seem to use my android smartphone for most everything these days.
Hadn't given the Psions a thought for probably a decade [or longer] until you posted this thread.
Just wondering if it's worth getting to grips with either again.