Psion Series 3mx Handheld:

  The Psion 3mx is a pocket organizer with a complete set of personal-information management (PIM) functions. This palmtop computer helps you manage your appointments, to-do lists, addresses, and phone numbers; track expenses in tables, spreadsheets, and graphs; write letters and play games; and record, edit, and play sounds. In addition, the Psion 3mx has the capability to synchronize data with your desktop PC.

  To set up the 3mx, we installed the batteries and followed the on-screen prompts to enter our home city, the date, and the time. You control the 3mx through its 58-key QWERTY keyboard and its nine touch-sensitive buttons. It took us a while to get used to the proprietary Epoc user interface (similar to Windows CE or Palm OS but without the touch screen).

  But once we learned one application, learning the rest was easy. You select an application by pressing a touch-sensitive button, and you use the arrow keys to select on-screen options. The Menu button displays menu choices germane to your task.

  The 3mx's compact design (about the size of a thick checkbook) precludes a full-size keyboard, so touch-typing is not possible except with the slenderest of fingers. In our tests, typing short notes and memos posed only modest difficulty.

  For a standalone pocket organizer, the 3mx has very advanced PIM functions. For example, it has both a notepad for quick notes (Jotter) and a fully functional word processor (Word) with formatting, outlining, a style gallery, spell checking, a thesaurus, and more. Also available is a fully functional spreadsheet application (Sheet) with database and charting features.

  Unlike other PDAs in this price range, the 3mx can synchronize data with a desktop PC only if you purchase its PsiWin or PsiMac software and serial cable (sold separately). It seemed odd to us that Psion would include feature-rich application software, two expansion slots, and even an IrDA transceiver but not include desktop connectivity as part of the base package.

  However, if you want sophisticated PIM functions, have no immediate need for desktop synchronization, and are unconcerned with price, then the Psion 3mx may be the right choice for you.

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