Psion Series 5

Psion Series 5
Manufacturer	Psion
Type	Personal digital assistant
Release date	1997
Discontinued	2001
Operating system	EPOC32
CPU	18 MHz ARM 710T
Memory	4 MB or 8 MB RAM
Storage	CompactFlash
Display	640 x 240 pixels, 16 greyscale LCD
Connectivity	RS-232, IrDA
Power	2x AA batteries, 1x CR2032 backup battery
Dimensions	170 x 90 x 23 mm
Mass	354 g

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The Psion Series 5 is a personal digital assistant (PDA) developed by Psion, released in 1997. It is notable for its innovative design, including a sliding keyboard mechanism and a touch-sensitive screen. The Series 5 was succeeded by the Psion Series 5mx in 1999.

Design and Features[edit | edit source]

The Psion Series 5 features a clamshell design with a sliding keyboard, which allows for a larger keyboard in a compact form factor. The device includes a 640 x 240 pixel, 16 greyscale LCD touchscreen display. It is powered by an 18 MHz ARM 710T processor and comes with either 4 MB or 8 MB of RAM.

The device supports CompactFlash cards for additional storage and includes connectivity options such as RS-232 and IrDA. It operates on 2x AA batteries with a CR2032 backup battery to maintain data integrity.

Software[edit | edit source]

The Psion Series 5 runs on the EPOC32 operating system, which is known for its stability and efficiency. The device comes with a suite of built-in applications, including a word processor, spreadsheet, database, and various personal information management tools.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

The Psion Series 5 is remembered for its robust build quality and innovative design. It set a standard for future PDAs and influenced the development of mobile computing devices. The Series 5mx, an enhanced version of the Series 5, featured a faster processor and more memory, continuing the legacy of the original device.