Psion Series 3

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Psion Series 3

The Psion Series 3 is a line of personal digital assistants (PDAs) developed by Psion PLC. The Series 3 was first introduced in 1991 and became one of the most popular PDA devices of its time. It is notable for its compact design, robust build quality, and innovative features that were advanced for its era.

History

The Psion Series 3 was launched in 1991, following the success of the Psion Organiser. The Series 3 was succeeded by the Psion Series 5 in 1997. The Series 3 line includes several models, such as the Series 3a, Series 3c, and Series 3mx, each offering incremental improvements over the original.

Design and Features

The Psion Series 3 featured a clamshell design with a physical keyboard and a monochrome LCD screen. The device was powered by two AA batteries and had a long battery life, which was one of its key selling points.

Hardware

• **Processor**: The Series 3 was equipped with an NEC V30 processor running at 7.68 MHz.
• **Memory**: It came with 128 KB to 2 MB of RAM, depending on the model.
• **Display**: The LCD screen had a resolution of 240x80 pixels.
• **Storage**: The device used solid-state disk (SSD) cards for storage, which were available in various capacities.

Software

The Series 3 ran on the SIBO (SIxteen Bit Organiser) operating system, which was developed by Psion. It included a suite of built-in applications such as a word processor, spreadsheet, database, and diary. The device also supported third-party applications, which could be installed via SSD cards.

Models

• **Psion Series 3**: The original model, introduced in 1991.
• **Psion Series 3a**: Released in 1993, it featured a larger screen and more memory.
• **Psion Series 3c**: Introduced in 1996, it included an improved keyboard and infrared connectivity.
• **Psion Series 3mx**: The final model, released in 1998, featured a faster processor and more memory.

Legacy

The Psion Series 3 is remembered as a pioneering device in the PDA market. Its design and functionality influenced later devices and set a standard for mobile computing. The Series 3's success helped establish Psion as a significant player in the handheld device market during the 1990s.

See Also

• Psion Organiser
• Psion Series 5
• Personal digital assistant
• SIBO