From: smee@bristol.ac.uk (Paul Smee)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: Re: Psion 3 info request
Date: 29 Jul 92 10:30:55 GMT
Reply-To: P.Smee@bristol.ac.uk (Paul Smee)
Organization: University of Bristol

In article <1992Jul28.140727.606@ericsson.se> extchbu@kk.ericsson.se writes:
>I am thinking about buying a Psion 3. Can someone who got one tell me,please:
>
>* If he/she likes it.

Yes.  But note that mine is currently back in Psion's hands because of
the dread 'application buttons' problem, which they have allegedly
fixed in newer machines.  I have a feeling that if you can get one
locally to you, might be a good idea, simply because it would make life
easier if you need any repairs under warranty.  Also, if you buy one in
the Sweden, I would expect it to provide you with the alphabetics which
are used in Swedish but not in English.  (They can be made, but
clumsily, on an English keyboard, if you remember the extended codes
for them.)

>* how much it costs (in England).

For the 128K memory version, about 200 pounds sterling.  For the 256K
version, about 250.  They are selling well enough that you're not
likely to find anywhere offering discounts.  Note that some
applications require the bigger model, so I'd suggest you go for that.
(E.g. the optional spreadsheet claims that it will not run on the 128K
version.)  

Another reason for going for the bigger one is that the memory sizes
are (in my opinion) misleading.  I'm coming from a Sharp IQ (or OZ),
where 128K means you've got 128K for data storage.  The Psion memory
is used not only for data storage, but also for operating memory
for the programs, and so if you put too much data into it some of the
progs might not run, particularly if you try to run them against a
large data file.

>* What versions (Ram size?) / Extras are available.

128K and 256K, see above.  Far as I know, not many extras yet.  There
is a spreadsheet which I find very useful, but forget what it costs.
Probably around 80 pounds or so, but might be wrong.  Also, I believe,
a chess program, and some sort of 'business analysis' module which I
didn't pay much attention to.

There's a (pretty nice) PC-link software/hardware package, around 80
pounds, so you can transfer things between the Psion and a PC.  There's
also supposed to be an Apple Mac version of this, similar price.
Optional parallel link (for talking to printers), about 30-35 pounds.

'Flash ROM' memory cards, 128K (about 40 pounds), 256K (~70), 512K
(~120), 1Meg (~200).  These are 'write-once' devices, if you delete a
file you lose the space, but you can recover it by moving all the
active files off to a PC or another memory module, reformatting, and
moving things back on.  (I've heard rumours of 2Meg and 4Meg versions
of these as well, but have never seen them advertised, so they may just
be planned.)  Also, true RAM memory cards, 128K for around 80 pounds
and 512K for around 200.  (And again, I've heard rumours of other sizes
but have never seen them.)

(Note that applications come on unwriteable ROM modules.  The Psion has
two 'slots' each of which can hold either a memory card or an
application card.  However, if you've got a big memory card, you can
copy applications from their own ROM cards onto your memory card and
run them from there, so that gets around one limitation of the system.)

There's also an optional AC adapter, around 14 pounds, but it's of the
style where the plug is built into the box which contains the DC power
supply, so the UK version probably isn't interesting to you.

Finally, there is allegedly a 'development kit' available for it, but I
have no info at all about that other than that it is said to be
'expensive'.  Believe it includes deeper documentation, and progs to
allow you to write applications using a PC, in other than its native
OPL.  Probably someone around who could say more about it.

-- 
Paul Smee, Computing Service, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UD, UK
 P.Smee@bristol.ac.uk - ..!uunet!uknet!bsmail!p.smee - Tel +44 272 303132