Psion Series 3c
 | |
| Psion Series 3c, open | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Psion PLC |
| Manufacturer | Psion PLC |
| Type | Clamshell palmtop computer |
| Released | 1996 |
| CPU | NEC V30H (80C86 compatible) at 7.68 MHz |
| Memory | 2 MB ROM; 1 MB or 2 MB RAM |
| Storage | Two internal Solid State Disk (SSD) slots |
| Display | 480 × 160 monochrome LCD; backlit on some models |
| Sound | Loudspeaker and microphone; digital recording and playback |
| Dimensions | 165 mm × 85 mm × 22 mm |
| Weight | 275 g including batteries |
| OS / Firmware | EPOC16 (SIBO), with OPL |
| Predecessor | Psion Series 3a |
| Successor | Psion Series 3mx |
The Psion Series 3c is a clamshell palmtop computer made by Psion PLC and released in 1996 as the successor to the Psion Series 3a. Psion did not release a Series 3b.[1] It keeps the 3a's processor, clock speed and 480 × 160 screen, and adds an infrared port, a changed serial port and a ninth application button.[2][1]
History
The Series 3c was released in 1996; Psion's user guide is dated August 1996.[1][2] It was replaced by the Psion Series 3mx, announced in July 1998, which uses a similar case with a silver finish and a faster processor.[1] The 3c and the 3mx contain an Easter egg with a hidden melody and a credits screen.[1]
Architecture and processor
The 3c uses a 16-bit NEC V30H (80C86 compatible) at 7.68 MHz, as the Series 3a does.[2] For the SIBO architecture, the power states and the supply rails, see Psion Series 3a.
Memory and storage
The ROM is 2 MB and holds the operating system, the Microsoft MS-DOS Flash Filing System and the built-in applications. RAM is 1 MB or 2 MB.[2] The two SSD drives take Psion Solid State Disks measuring 63 × 43 × 6 mm, in MS-DOS format. Flash SSDs need no battery backup; RAM SSDs have their own lithium cell.[2]
The 3c senses whether its SSD doors are open with a set of tracks and a small metal contact on the door hinge. The Psion Series 3mx uses a pair of angled microswitches instead.[3]
Display
The screen is a 480 × 160 pixel high-contrast retardation-film LCD, showing up to 80 characters by 25 lines.[2] Some 3c machines, mainly those for the US market, have a backlit screen.[1][4]
Sound
A loudspeaker handles DTMF dialling and digital sound playback, and a microphone records sound.[2]
Input, output and expansion
The keyboard has 58 keys in a QWERTY layout, with nine touch-sensitive application buttons.[2] The 3c has a built-in IrDA SIR infrared port for transfers to another 3c, a Psion Siena or an infrared printer.[2] Its serial port differs from the 3a's and matches the Siena's, and a serial cable for direct connection to a Windows PC was supplied. Psion's Travel Modem has different connections for the 3 and 3a and for the 3c and 3mx.[1] With the link cable the communications software runs at up to 57,600 baud.[2] An optional Parallel Printer Link was available for parallel printers.[2]
Power
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Main cells | 2 × AA alkaline, about 80 hours of use (2–4 months of typical use) |
| Backup cell | CR1620 lithium, under SSD door B |
| Mains adaptor | 10 V ±10 % (9–11 V), 250 mA. Psion approved models 1602-0001-02 (UK), 1602-0002-02 (Europe), 1602-0014-01 (US) |
| Operating temperature | 0–50 °C on batteries; 0–40 °C on the mains adaptor |
Psion's user guide says to use only approved adaptors, for continued protection against fire.[2] The 3c can use NiCd rechargeable AA cells, but they are not charged in the machine.[2]
Case
The redesigned case has the badge in the centre of the lid, fewer undulations and a matte dark grey finish.[1] Owners on comp.sys.psion.misc reported in 2007 that this rubbery coating had turned into something resembling glue; see Psion Series 3c General Maintenance.[5]
Documentation
- File:Psion Series 3c User Guide (August 1996).pdf – Psion's user guide, including battery fitting, care, communications and the specification.[2]
- File:Psion Series 3a Service Manual (June 1996).pdf – the service manual for the preceding Series 3a, which shares the case construction.[6]
Known faults
The documented weak points of the Series 3 family are broken hinges, a button bar that stops working, and deterioration of the cable to the screen, which shows as vertical lines.[1] The 3c adds the ageing case coating. See:
- Psion Series 3c Troubleshooting Guide
- Psion Series 3c General Maintenance
- Psion Series 3c Hinge Repair
Related pages
- Psion Series 3c General Maintenance
- Psion Series 3c Troubleshooting Guide
- Psion Series 3c Hinge Repair
- Psion Series 3a
- Psion Series 3mx
- Psion Siena
- Battery Refurbishment
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "Psion Series 3", Wikipedia. Model history, the absence of a 3b, the infrared port, the changed serial port, the case redesign, backlit models, the Easter egg, the CR1620 backup cell and the documented clamshell problems.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 Psion PLC, Series 3c User Guide, Version 1.0, August 1996, part no. 6103-0107-01. Hosted on this wiki as File:Psion Series 3c User Guide (August 1996).pdf. Fitting the batteries (pp. 4–5), care (p. 22), changing the batteries (pp. 25–27), communications settings (p. 258 and p. 309) and specification (pp. 373–374).
- ↑ R. Zealley, "Psion Series 3mx SSD door microswitch repair", Retro Coding, 25 May 2020. Comparison of the 3c and 3mx door sensing.
- ↑ "Psion specifications", netogram.com. Series 3c backlight ("USA 2 Mb models") and application buttons.
- ↑ "Sticky case problem with 3c", comp.sys.psion.misc, 24 September – 3 October 2007 (archived by Narkive). Posts by John X Ample, Steve Hodgson and Frank Peelo.
- ↑ Psion PLC, Series 3a Service Manual, Version 1.0, June 1996, part no. 6103-0114-01. Hosted on this wiki as File:Psion Series 3a Service Manual (June 1996).pdf.