- Best series 3 model

- RE: SiBO and my use of Psions

- Re: Best series 3 model

- Re: The Digest V1 # 963

Date: 24 Jul 2006 12:19:56 +0100
From: Itamar Engelsman <address truncated>
Subject: Best series 3 model

Answer to: Cyril Catt

Re.: Best series 3 model - I don't think you are the last one, there are
still over 700 subscribers on this digest ... <G>. I think the problem
is that the mobile phone has taken off in a way that no-one could have
known 10 years ago. I hardly know anyone without a mobile and most
families have one for each member of the family. I suppose it is the
feeling not wanting to walk around with two machines that caused the
death of the clampshell machines. The machines became smaller in order
to allow the phone and PDA to be integrated together which meant smaller
screens and less functional or no keyboards. It started a market of
foldable keyboards which I think however did not really take off. I
worked for a little while with such a keyboard but in the end the screen
of my P910i was too small to do serious work. It is great to check
emails while on the road and to download only the ones that are really
urgent, leaving the more serious work for the evening in the hotel.
While my mBook is still very much in function (although currently being
in repair) I did get myself a laptop as well as the advance of working
from anywhere just like I am in the office on my office PC via remote
access or VPN is just too good not to be used.

Best regards,

Itamar

Date: 24 Jul 2006 22:38:13 +0100
From: Alan Morris <address truncated>
Subject: RE: SiBO and my use of Psions

Phil Aypee <address truncated> wrote:-

} Peter, the differences between the 3a, 3c and 3mx are really minor.

Agreed.

} The 3a uses a proprietary comms interface

And the 3mx uses the same serial connector as the nB, 7 and 5mx.

} The 3mx is faster, has a backlight (all models) and uses a
} different Lithium cell for battery backup, the same one as the 5mx.

My 3mx uses a CR2025 and my 5mxPRO uses a CR2032, so not the same.

The 2025 is the same diameter as the 2032 but thinner.  My memory tells me that my two spare 5mx also use the more common 2032, and also my old 5 uses the 2032.  But I agree that the 3mx uses a different battery than both my old 3a.

The problem with the PRO is that battery life is much shorter than the 5mx, but it has more memory.  The 3mx, like the 3a, has a much more rugged hinge system as does the Revo+, but I wore out the Revo+ batteries through excessive use.

I use a netBook or 7 (one as spare and rotated) for main use on my desk as my master computer, permanently connected to my laptop as it's much better than Windows.  I use Copyany to link both clip boards.  EpocSync keeps the 5mxPRO holding important files from the 7, for when I leave home.

I can't see any practical use for me of any of the current phone and/or PDAs.

I only use Windows to support my GPS devices and my ham radio equipment as most programs for ham and GPS only run on Widows.

Alan Morris

Date: 24 Jul 2006 22:45:45 +0100
From: andy_beale <address truncated>
Subject: Re: Best series 3 model

Date: 23 Jul 2006 10:28:39 +0100
From: Cyril Catt <address truncated> Subject: Best series 3 model

"I still think it curious that in just a few years the format of 
available PDAs changed from a selection of about half a dozen 
machines with convenient landscape displays, useable keyboards, and a 
protective clamshell format, to a plethora of squinty square-faced 
Palm lookalikes with inadequate, or no, keyboards, little protection 
from damage, and predominantly with built-in rechargeable batteries 
that confine users to a few hours distance from a power socket.

I would have thought that there was still a reasonable market for 
portable, Psion style machines, with enough oomph to handle 
reasonable jobs well, in remote locations, where the physical hazards 
did not warrant overly expensive equipment. Am I the only Robinson 
Crusoe left?"

Exactly. And no, you're not the only one thinking this! It baffles me, yet sadly I don't see any reasonable alternatives emerging..

Andy

Date: 25 Jul 2006 13:19:04 +0100
From: ktabic <address truncated>
Subject: Re: The Digest V1 # 963

Hi Cyril

> I still think it curious that in just a few years the format of 
> available PDAs changed from a selection of about half a dozen 
> machines with convenient landscape displays, useable keyboards, and a 
> protective clamshell format, to a plethora of squinty square-faced 
> Palm lookalikes with inadequate, or no, keyboards, little protection 
> from damage, and predominantly with built-in rechargeable batteries 
> that confine users to a few hours distance from a power socket.

Got to admit, I never liked the Palm style PDAs. And while I've never been that far away from a power supply for the last year or so (and more importantly, someone with a nokia charger) I was just a few weeks ago, and yup, ran out of power.

> I would have thought that there was still a reasonable market for 
> portable, Psion style machines, with enough oomph to handle 
> reasonable jobs well, in remote locations, where the physical hazards 
> did not warrant overly expensive equipment. Am I the only Robinson 
> Crusoe left?

I've recently rejoined the Psion abusers world, and got myself a second hand s5. Personally I would love to see a new Psion like device, and would buy one as soon as I could afford it.

Rod Cobb