Psion Revo: Difference between revisions
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| model = [[Psion Revo Plus]]; Diamond Mako; Chinese-market 618C and 618S | | model = [[Psion Revo Plus]]; Diamond Mako; Chinese-market 618C and 618S | ||
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The '''Psion Revo''' is a clamshell palmtop computer released by Psion in November 1999. It runs EPOC Release 5 on the same 36 MHz ARM710T processor as the [[Psion Series 5mx]] and runs the same software, in a case of 157 × 79 × 18 mm weighing 200 g, against the 5mx's | The '''Psion Revo''' is a clamshell palmtop computer released by Psion in November 1999. It runs EPOC Release 5 on the same 36 MHz ARM710T processor as the [[Psion Series 5mx]] and runs the same software, in a case of 157 × 79 × 18 mm weighing 200 g, against the 5mx's 350 g.<ref name="wprevo" /><ref name="revohb" /><ref name="ug5mx">Psion Computers PLC, ''Series 5mx User Guide'', version 1.1, October 1999, p. 191 (specification). Hosted on this wiki: [[:File:Psion Series 5mx User Guide (October 1999).pdf]]; see [[Psion Series 5mx User Guide]].</ref> Compared with the Series 5 and 5mx, the Revo has a smaller 480 × 160 screen, no memory card slot, no backlight, and two internal rechargeable NiMH cells in place of user-replaceable AA batteries.<ref name="wprevo" /><ref name="revohb" /> | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
Latest revision as of 13:15, 30 September 2026
 | |
| A Psion Revo | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Psion |
| Manufacturer | Psion |
| Type | Clamshell palmtop / PDA |
| Released | November 1999 |
| Discontinued | 2003 |
| CPU | ARM710T @ 36.864 MHz |
| Memory | 8 MB RAM; 8 MB ROM |
| Storage | Internal RAM disk only; no memory card slot |
| Display | 480 × 160 greyscale LCD with reflective backing, touch-sensitive; no backlight |
| Sound | Loudspeaker, ½ W 8 Ω |
| Power | 2 × internal AAA NiMH rechargeable cells (650 mAh); 6 V DC mains adaptor |
| Dimensions | 157 mm × 79 mm × 18 mm |
| Weight | 200 g |
| OS / Firmware | EPOC Release 5 (Symbian) |
| Predecessor | Psion Series 5mx |
| Successor | Conan (prototype, never released) |
| Model no. | Psion Revo Plus; Diamond Mako; Chinese-market 618C and 618S |
The Psion Revo is a clamshell palmtop computer released by Psion in November 1999. It runs EPOC Release 5 on the same 36 MHz ARM710T processor as the Psion Series 5mx and runs the same software, in a case of 157 × 79 × 18 mm weighing 200 g, against the 5mx's 350 g.[1][2][3] Compared with the Series 5 and 5mx, the Revo has a smaller 480 × 160 screen, no memory card slot, no backlight, and two internal rechargeable NiMH cells in place of user-replaceable AA batteries.[1][2]
History
[edit | edit source]The Revo was launched in November 1999 with 8 MB of RAM, and was followed by the Psion Revo Plus with 16 MB and a larger battery. SONICblue sold the Revo Plus in the United States and Canada as the Diamond Mako, and Psion and Enfour made two Chinese-market versions, the 618C (traditional characters) and 618S (simplified characters).[1]
A successor, codenamed Conan, was close to completion when Psion left the consumer PDA market. It ran EPOC Release 6 and was to have Bluetooth and a backlight, although Bluetooth did not work in the development builds.[1]
The OpenPsion project (formerly PsiLinux) ports Linux to Psion machines including the Revo, and Revol is a version of OpenPsion optimised for the Revo.[1]
Specifications
[edit | edit source]| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | 32-bit ARM710T core, 36.864 MHz |
| ROM | 8 MB (Psion's handbook gives 8 MB or 16 MB depending on model) |
| RAM | 8 MB (16 MB on the Revo Plus) |
| Display | 480 × 160 greyscale, reflective backing, 125 × 48 mm viewing area; touch-sensitive, with 9 program icons and 5 command icons beside the screen. No backlight. |
| Keyboard | 53-key QWERTY |
| Sound | Loudspeaker, ½ W, 8 Ω |
| Storage | Internal RAM disk; no memory card slot |
| Communications | RS-232-compatible serial link through the docking station, up to 115,200 baud; infrared |
| Batteries | Two internal AAA NiMH rechargeable cells, 650 mAh |
| Mains adaptor | 6 V DC ±10 %, 500 mA |
| Size and weight | 157 × 79 × 18 mm, 200 g |
| Operating temperature | +5 °C to +40 °C |
| Storage temperature | −10 °C to +40 °C |
| Operating system | EPOC Release 5 |
The Revo is software-compatible with the 5mx and has office and communications programs in ROM. Other programs are installed from a desktop computer through the docking station.[1]
Battery and charging
[edit | edit source]The Revo's two AAA NiMH cells are inside the case under the lid nameplate, not in a battery compartment. They are charged from Psion's 6 V mains adaptor, either through the docking station or through the power socket at the rear of the machine.[2][4]
Charging, as Psion describes it:[2]
- The Revo fast-charges to 85 % in about 1½ hours from empty, with the red light below the Esc key lit, then trickle-charges with the red light off.
- The first charge, and the first charge after a hard reset, should be a full one, which can take up to 6 hours. It sets up the battery gauge.
- Once fully charged, the Revo does not start charging again until it is disconnected from the adaptor and reconnected.
- A full charge gives typically 12 hours of continuous use. Switched off, the Revo uses about 1 % of its charge per day and keeps its data for up to 6 weeks. When the battery has run down there is enough left to keep the data for about 2 weeks.
The charge controller finds its calibration point by detecting a thermal change in the cells at about 84 % of indicated capacity. Kevin Millican's charging notes advise against putting a Revo on charge above about 84 %, because the charger may then fail to drop to trickle charge; any level between 10 % and 80 % is fine.[5] The cells are NiMH, and nothing else is recommended as a replacement.[1]
A small number of 8 MB Revos had battery packs whose cells were a loose fit and could shake loose, resetting the machine and losing all data. Psion's fix was to replace the undersize cells and glue the new ones in place.[5] On older machines the battery connection cable can wear and develop a high resistance, which switches the machine off under heavy load even with the gauge above 50 %.[5]
The replacement procedure, including the full recalibration charge afterwards, is on the Psion Revo Battery Replacement page.
Backlight pads
[edit | edit source]The Revo has no backlight. R3UK's David Savery, taking apart his Revo Plus, found pads marked EL+ and EL− under black tape on the screen PCB, but measured no voltage across them, AC or DC, with the machine on or after pressing Fn+Space, the Series 5 backlight key combination.[4]
Documentation
[edit | edit source]- Psion Revo Handbook, version 1.1, February 2000 (PDF): Psion's user guide, with the charging instructions, care and safety, troubleshooting and reset procedures, and the specification.[2]
- Psion published no service manual or schematic for the Revo.
General maintenance
[edit | edit source]Cleaning, charging practice and storage. See the Psion Revo General Maintenance guide.
Troubleshooting
[edit | edit source]Charging and battery faults, resets and other symptoms. See the Psion Revo Troubleshooting Guide.
Battery replacement
[edit | edit source]Opening the case under the nameplate and replacing the two AAA cells. See Psion Revo Battery Replacement.
Related pages
[edit | edit source]- Psion Revo General Maintenance
- Psion Revo Troubleshooting Guide
- Psion Revo Battery Replacement
- Psion Revo Plus
- Psion Series 5mx
- Psion Series 5
- Battery Refurbishment
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Psion Revo", Wikipedia.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Psion Computers PLC, Psion Revo Handbook, version 1.1, February 2000, part no. 6070 0001 01: "Getting started" (pp. 14–18), "Care & safety" (pp. 196–198), "Troubleshooting" (pp. 200–203) and "Specification" (p. 206). Hosted on this wiki as File:Psion Revo Handbook (February 2000).pdf.
- ↑ Psion Computers PLC, Series 5mx User Guide, version 1.1, October 1999, p. 191 (specification). Hosted on this wiki: File:Psion Series 5mx User Guide (October 1999).pdf; see Psion Series 5mx User Guide.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 David Savery, "Psion Revo/Diamond Mako Disassembly & Battery Replacement", R3UK, 9 August 2004.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Kevin Millican, "Revo Battery Information", 25 May 2003.