sniff sniff... my Psion 5mx has died...

[VJ]

Hello,

Just this morning, my Psion 5mx seems to have died: it only shows horizontal lines on the LCD display. The cause is a known problem with the display cable.

This has left me without a decent PDA (I had hoped the Psion would last untill my next GSM/PDA device).

The question now is: Should I have the Psion repaired ? I am planning on buying a GSM/PDA combo when I find one that suits my needs, but I don't see this happening this year... I really like a keyboard, and had even hoped of using my Psion as a keyboard for any other PDA.


Jörg

[lecter]

I am very happy with my Tungsten T/T68i combo...you really should get a proper PDA and a moderately-priced Bluetooth phone, it's cheaper and better than any PDA/phone combo on the market.

[VJ]

Well, I currently <S>have</s> had a Psion 5mx with a Siemens S35i (communcate via IR). While two devices is very nice, one often doesn't have the PDA at hand; something unlikely to occur with a combo device...

One problem I see is that I'll have a hard time finding a PDA that suits me: I really like the keyboard...


Jörg

[Ribbit]

Find out how much it would cost to have the Psion repaired - the video cable problem is well-known, so it shouldn't be too hard/costly to fix. (Either that or it will be impossible ) Once you know, you'll be in a much better position to make this decision.

[lecter]

If you get a PDA that's decently sized (i.e. pocketable), carrying it around with you won't be a problem. Perhaps you could look at something like a Sony Clie TG50? Keyboard&Bluetooth, nice screen, unfortunately not much memory...

[ZokesPro]

I say if you like it so much, why not get it fixed? I dunno about the cost of repairs but it you really like it and plan to keep it for a long time then it might be worth ti in the long run, tis up to you.

edit: hwy = why

[VJ]

Ok, I have some more details. There is a German company that fixes the displaycable issue for €80 (including VAT, excluding shipping). You can also order the cable from them for €40 (including VAT, excluding shipping), but I lack the equipment to solder it myself. Psion fixes the displaycable for €160 (including VAT and return shipping).

My main problem is that I was thinking of upgrading (in the long run), but hadn't found a device that suits me: I like a keyboard (that is usable on your lap / on a small table), I require certain protocols to access my mail (IMAP & SSL; the Psion doesn't support SSL, but does allow me to run an SSH terminal). The Psion is starting to show its age, allthough it still offers me enough functionality to be usefull.
For a new device, I was actually waiting for PalmOS6, as there don't seem to be many EPOC PDAs anymore... I'm also still in doubt between either a single combo device, or seperate PDA/GSM. There are some smartphones announced that do seem interesting: Motorala MPx, Samsung SGH-i530, Nokia 9500, ...; so I would have prefered to wait...
Either way, considering my wishlist (when I buy a new device, I want it to be an upgrade to my previous device, so I have higher feature requirements), I would have to expect a new device somewhere in the €500-€800 range...



Jörg

[VJ]

Anybody has a guess when Palm OS6 (cobalt) devices might become available ? PalmSource has shipped Palm OS6 to manufacturers...


Jörg

[lecter]

From what I've read the devices won't come out until Q3 or Q4/2004...but they will probably also have the shiny new TI CPU&stuff...depends on how much u really need a PDA for the next 6 months.

[VJ]

Originally posted by lecter
From what I've read the devices won't come out until Q3 or Q4/2004...but they will probably also have the shiny new TI CPU&stuff...depends on how much u really need a PDA for the next 6 months.

Well, buying one now would give me the feeling of buying something that will be outdated relatively soon... So the question effectively becomes: am I willing to spend €160 to fix the Psion I might only use for 6-12 months...

I don't know...


Jörg

[lecter]

How about an iPaq 4355+a phone? It has a keyboard and everything else under the sun...true, Windows Mobile is not as slick as a PalmOS device, but besides its size there are practically no drawbacks-excellent battery life, great screen, etc. I really wouldn't spend so much money on repairs unless I would want to keep the Psion for sentimental value (and after shelling out 450$ for my Parhelia, I can say I also know the meaning of that ).

Oh, and on a side-note, Windows Mobile devices are so much more flexible than a Palm, at least in terms of file management, on the Palm unless I use my card-reader it's a pain in the ass to keep proper track of files (and impossible for the ones in the device's main RAM), whereas on my old iPaq everything was nicely displayed in Explorer. (Again, that lovely MS integration which is costing them so much money these days :P )

[VJ]

Well, I'm beginning to <s>think</s>admit it could well be sentimental... The psion was my first pda, I bought it during a trip to New York (at J&R)... I still feel it was ahead of its time...

I came across the Sony Clie UX50, which also seems to offer a very complete package. Only downside I can see at first is the memorystick (it runs Palm OS 5.2).

I'm a bit suprised file managemant is such a big issue... On my psion, I had software that actually created a new entry group next to my computer, appropriatly called 'my psion'. In it were the 2 psiondrives, and I could access them as though the were local drives (allbeit a bit slow, over a 115200K serial connection).

Jörg

[lecter]

File Management is not a huge issue, it's just that there is no centralized spot where it can be done, I have to do it through the separate apps for each file-type. Windows Mobile is just more comfortable

And yeah, I know about the psiondrives, I had a Psion 3a for a little while, before it died of exactly the same problem

[VJ]

Yes, the cable-issue seems to be what kills most Psions...

Anyway, I am now looking at the Sony UX50, but there appear to be some issues with it. Most important is the fact that it has a portrait display (unlike most other Palm devices), which is not properly supported. It also lacks SSL for email, but Eudora should run on Palm OS (anybody have experience with Eudore Internet Suite ?).

Hmm, and to think both these issues would be solved in Palm OS 6...
Perhaps I should wait and get a new mobile phone (my current one, Siemens S35i is also showing its age : backlight seems to flicker, keyboard sometimes fails (solution is to remove the battery), autonomy is much less than original, ...) that offers some PDA functions (most do: agenda, ...) and live with it for a couple of months...?

Jörg

[lecter]

Versamail for PalmOS also has SSL support and is actually a very nice e-mail client.

The UX50 is a bit weird, it lacks one of the hardware buttons so there are problems with certain apps and i dunno, it just looks...clunky. How about the Tungsten C? Keyboard, wi-fi, good battery life, sadly mono sound and no bluetooth (i guess u can use SDIO for that).

As for a phone, the Nokia 6230 is a very nice (albeit damn pricey ) solution...Bluetooth, EDGE, MMC&MP3 support...great for both now and future use.