Review Of Psion Teklogix Netbook Pro

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://smartmobileassets.com/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl/Blah.pl?,v=display,b=news,m=1085977355">http://smartmobileassets.com/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl/Blah.pl?,v=display,b=news,m=1085977355</a><br /><br />The Psion Teklogic Netbook Pro runs Windows CE 4.2. Interesting how Psion used the EPOC OS for so long, which is now Symbian and has moved on to bigger and better things, eh? :wink: <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2004/20040606-psion.jpg" /><br /><br />"I must say, I had expected to like the Netbook Pro but was surprised at how much I am enjoying it. With a wireless LAN this is a GREAT unit for carrying around the house and office. And with it's power and storage capabilities it is also a VERY solid laptop replacement for the field. While general consumers might have a harder time justifying the price (<a href="http://www.mobileplanet.com/product.asp?dept%5Fid=2670&pf%5Fid=MP910000&listing=1">$1,499 at Mobile Planet</a>), companies should truly consider the Netbook Pro for mobile employees that need to record significant information, such as CRM data. It is highly portable with great battery life and a very enjoyable form factor."<br /><br />In my opinion, this is what kept the Handheld PCs like the Jornada 820 and the Smart Displays from being a success - the price. Come on - $1,500? I guess an embedded device has its place in the enterprise where they can tightly control what is on it and not have to worry about moving parts, like hard drives. Still, it is disappointing that you can't pick one of these us for substantially <i>less</i> than a cheap laptop given you don't get the full Windows XP experience.

[Kacey Green]

That was a decent review, a lower price would be needed if you wanted any customers not classified as Corperate or Prosumer.

[Kati Compton]

Clamshell... :drool:... big keys... :drool:...

[mesposito2]

Psion is wasting their time again.

I bought a 1" Thinkpad for $1800, and it runs everything.

People buy computers, not companies. If the people in the company have any say, and they usually do, they'll pick a real windows notebook for about the same price. The Netbook would have to sell for around $700 to make it tempting.

The Series 7 was a great machine. I owned one, and loved it. But, it didn't cost nearly that much, and it ran EPOC in color.

[Kati Compton]

People buy computers, not companies. If the people in the company have any say, and they usually do, they'll pick a real windows notebook for about the same price. The Netbook would have to sell for around $700 to make it tempting.

The Series 7 was a great machine. I owned one, and loved it. But, it didn't cost nearly that much, and it ran EPOC in color.
If it were $700 and ran all my PPC apps I might be getting out my credit card... ;)

[Kacey Green]

I really like that hinge! :drool: mmmm... hinges :drool:

[dazz]

If it were $700 and ran all my PPC apps I might be getting out my credit card... ;)

Oh, ya!! Me too. :wink:

Psion seemed to be pretty clear on this one. While they certainly don't mind consumers buying this they are focusing their marketing efforts completely on corporations. The Netbook Pro is a purpose built device that is ready to work with an enterprise CRM solution. There are a few things with the OS like Pocket On-Schedule but Psion does not put any marketing effort toward general consumers that I have seen.

IT departments can cost justify the steep price on these units, compared to a notebook, because they are easier to administer. The critical info can be backed up to the Flash memory and a frozen unit only take a hard-reset and reinstate from Flash. That is WAY easier and quicker that loading as OS from CD and installing all of the programs on a laptop.

I wish the price was MUCH lower as well. With Psion considering the Windows Mobile OS maybe we WILL see a consumer type device from them again that will be HPC format AND will run all of our PPC apps. (I did suggest it to them, but...) THAT would be nice.

[dangerwit]

IT departments can cost justify the steep price on these units, compared to a notebook, because they are easier to administer. The critical info can be backed up to the Flash memory and a frozen unit only take a hard-reset and reinstate from Flash. That is WAY easier and quicker that loading as OS from CD and installing all of the programs on a laptop.

I wish the price was MUCH lower as well. With Psion considering the Windows Mobile OS maybe we WILL see a consumer type device from them again that will be HPC format AND will run all of our PPC apps. (I did suggest it to them, but...) THAT would be nice.

Don't forget, these prices are "suggested". With purchasing agreements, the prices do come down, and sometimes by quite a bit. I've seen high-profile vendors come down by 40% for corporate purchasing.

Psion Teklogix does not market to consumers anymore, they are a B2B shop at this time.

I'm testing their 7535 CE.NET scanners (XScale 400, 64/128MB, laser/CCD scanner, wifi, bluetooth, SDIO, trans LCD, ambient light sensor, ergonomic, 30 function keys, 4 LEDs, GSM/GPRS capable, and on and on) and they are REALLY something. Really good construction, excellent durability, and an excellent feature list. The company, from our experience is really top-notch. Their CEO and their president both met with our hardware group to help us decide on their product, and we've gotten some really good support.

Any company would do well to look into these guys, at least for evaluation purposes. Of course, I'm not a Psion employee, but I gotta say this is our favorite so far!

If anyone is interested in our observations, let me know.

*Phil

[hotweiss]

Nice unit, but I agree, the price is way too high! And when it does come down in price, it will be too out of date to consider. A VGA PPC with a folding keyboard is strong competition for this device.

[Andy Roberts]

As some of you said, this device is not end user but aimed for CORE.
The device is for companies that want to write their own applications, hence the move from epoc to ce.
I have had my device since end of last year and highly rate the device (i would say that). It has a fantastic long life and the screen is fantasic to browse the web.
The mini USB support a wide range of devices from mice, keyboards, web cams and digi cameras.

dangerwit, you have a 7535? hope you are find the unit a great mobile player in the core industry.

Other devices that run ce:
Workabout Pro
Netpad
7535

There are rumours that Psion PLC to make a linux handheld based loosly on the NBP but nothing is certain yet!

......and remember the Netbook Pro is a Psion Teklogix device not a Psion PLC device who made the end user handhelds.

[Andy Roberts]

As for Psion Teklogix using windows mobile it is thought of but to only run on one certain product. Psion Teklogix are more intrestered in CE as WM is mainly aimed at the end user market

[Pony99CA]

Still, it is disappointing that you can't pick one of these us for substantially less than a cheap laptop given you don't get the full Windows XP experience.
Sure, it would be nice if it were cheaper. However, according to the forums, those prices may be Canadian, and you might be able to get this for $850.

However, I'm not sure how you'd price this substantially lower than a cheap notebook. Cheap notebooks can be had for $700 now, and, to me, "substanstially lower" would be in the $500-$600 price range -- right where high-end Pocket PCs are located. Even Handheld PCs are (or were :-)) priced higher than that.

Steve

[Bill Gunn]

Psion Teklogix does not market to consumers anymore, they are a B2B shop at this time.


Which is why this unit will fail in the marketplace. Psion is underestimating the degree to which individual purchases influence corporate purchases.

[Bill Gunn]

However, I'm not sure how you'd price this substantially lower than a cheap notebook.

Notebook minus harddrive, half of the RAM, expensive desktop OS and with smaller display and cheaper CPU = cheaper laptop. How can it not be less expensive?

[Duncan]

http://smartmobileassets.com/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl/Blah.pl?,v=display,b=news,m=1085977355

The Psion Teklogic Netbook Pro runs Windows CE 4.2. Interesting how Psion used the EPOC OS for so long, which is now Symbian and has moved on to bigger and better things, eh? :wink:

I know you said that with a wink Ed - but EPOC was streets ahead of CE for speed, ease of use, versatility, features and sheer class. If Psion had kept their nerve and continued their EPOC handheld development I have no doubt I'd be a Psion user today...

[dangerwit]

Which is why this unit will fail in the marketplace. Psion is underestimating the degree to which individual purchases influence corporate purchases.

Hardly. I love my ipaqs, XDA, etc, but I know they are unfit for many environments, especially at the company I work for. I used to think that way, but if I put personal preference ahead of what's better for my clients, my credibility falls a notch.

Besides, there is nothing out there I've enjoyed using personally for use in a rugged environment that has our requirements. That is the niche they are filling with much of their hardware, not consumer playthings. There is no basis for comparison.

The 7535 is pretty good, Andy. It seems like a solid competitor for big Symbol. :)

*Phil

[Pony99CA]

However, I'm not sure how you'd price this substantially lower than a cheap notebook.
Notebook minus harddrive, half of the RAM, expensive desktop OS and with smaller display and cheaper CPU = cheaper laptop. How can it not be less expensive?
Portability (smaller size, lighter weight) and convenience (instant on) cost money.

However, notice that I didn't say that I thought the price was reasonable -- I certainly wouldn't buy one. I just don't see how it could be priced substantially lower than a cheap laptop.

Of course, if this doesn't have any features that you want over and above what a cheap laptop has (or you can't justify the price of those features), then buy a laptop. :duh: Psion will either get the message and lower the price or figure the product was a flop and stop making them.

Steve

[Andy Roberts]

EPOC was dropped by 'PSION TEKLOGIX' as core was and is moving towards CE development. Epoc for 'PSION PLC' devices was a great OS due to the bundled applications for end users but renamed and retagged as symbian os.

As for some saying this device will flop I would have to disagree, this device fills a hole in the corp world and is doing well. Yes end users can buy the Netbook Pro but why when they can buy a cheap laptop.
You can't compare this device to lappy's as it was designed to run CE and to give a great running life on battery power.
For more information please visit the manufactures website at: www.psionteklogix.com

[Bill Gunn]

Hardly. I love my ipaqs, XDA, etc, but I know they are unfit for many environments, especially at the company I work for. I used to think that way, but if I put personal preference ahead of what's better for my clients, my credibility falls a notch.

Besides, there is nothing out there I've enjoyed using personally for use in a rugged environment that has our requirements. That is the niche they are filling with much of their hardware, not consumer playthings. There is no basis for comparison.



What does any of that have to do with what I said? Rugged environment has nothing to do with this device. It's not ruggedized. In fact, it's aimed at Customer Relationship Management where it will go head to head with standard laptops. I also didn't say anything about recommending anything to clients. The simple fact is that corporate purchases of PDA's have been largely driven by early adopters who were buying single units. It is true that many field service PPC's are now sold that cannot be easily purchased in lots of one, but they are just ruggedized versions of what you call "consumer playthings."

[PR.]

http://smartmobileassets.com/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl/Blah.pl?,v=display,b=news,m=1085977355

The Psion Teklogic Netbook Pro runs Windows CE 4.2. Interesting how Psion used the EPOC OS for so long, which is now Symbian and has moved on to bigger and better things, eh? :wink:

I know you said that with a wink Ed - but EPOC is still streets ahead of CE for speed, ease of use, versatility, features and sheer class. If Psion had kept their nerve and continued their EPOC handheld development I have no doubt I'd be a Psion user today...


My old 5mx still runs faster on a 36mhz ARM CPU than a 400mhz iPAQ running WM2003. The built in apps put the built in PPC apps to something beyond shame. The only downside to EPOC was its Star Trek: The Original Series approach to use of colour :)

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/media/users/9423/time.gif

[kamodt]

Just a clarification, Psion was supposed to be one of the first Jupiter device OEMs. They ran into company politics with their Symbian relationship and decided it wouldn't look good to have the first NetBook running WCE instead. I would have loved to have them aboard as their keyboards and designs are great.

The Jupiter class of devices were always supposed to be less expensive than they actually are. My ideal was to come out under $900 and refine it down to about $599 over time. Unfortunately, the OEMs kept their prices high and we didn't do enough educating of the market.

I'm glad to see this device out there as there are users who need it. I would prefer seeing it much less expensive as I think more people would consider it then.

My 2 cents.

Keith Amodt
Father of Jupiter

[dazz]

Wow! Nice to get confirmation of this from THE guy! 8)

I had always thought the same thing about pricing for these units. When I heard the price of some of these I thought it was WAY too much but would come down over time. The IBM z50 was something like $1600 or $1800 originally. When they were finally being phased out and were selling for $400 they were snapped up like crazy (that's when I got mine :D ).

I would love to see the HPC devices come back and start around the high end of PPC's and up from there. I am sure there could be a market for these, especially with corporations.

The best of both worlds though would be a Windows Mobile 2003 SE device in an HPC format; one that is large enough for touch typing.

Think that will happen kamodt??

[Pony99CA]

I would love to see the HPC devices come back and start around the high end of PPC's and up from there. I am sure there could be a market for these, especially with corporations.

The best of both worlds though would be a Windows Mobile 2003 SE device in an HPC format; one that is large enough for touch typing.
I've always said (http://history.svpocketpc.com) that I thought my Handheld PCs were the coolest devices I've had. The 640x240 clamshell display, keyboard, built-in modem, and PC Card slot made for a lot of power. True, it wasn't as portable as my Pocket PC, and the keyboard wasn't designed for touch typing (at least not the Handheld PCs I had), but they were very cool.

A Handheld PC with WiFi and Bluetooth, a USB 2.0 connector to replace the modem connector and a 16-bit VGA display would be a good seller -- if it could be priced around $700-$800.

Steve

[Andy Roberts]

Well guys all I really can say is wait and see what happens...Psion Teklogix products may not be aimed at you all but Psion PLC might one day come back to the end user world

[epdm]

http://smartmobileassets.com/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl/Blah.pl?,v=display,b=news,m=1085977355

The Psion Teklogic Netbook Pro runs Windows CE 4.2. Interesting how Psion used the EPOC OS for so long, which is now Symbian and has moved on to bigger and better things, eh? :wink:

I know you said that with a wink Ed - but EPOC was streets ahead of CE for speed, ease of use, versatility, features and sheer class. If Psion had kept their nerve and continued their EPOC handheld development I have no doubt I'd be a Psion user today...

The same here. However I remain to believe that the biggest mistake Psion PLC made was the Series 7/Netbook. Again they tried to aim for the subnotebook-market (anyone remember the MC400) and this time it killed them. Instead of persuing Series 7 they should have worked harder on the Series 5. Because that was their biggest success. IF they made the Series 5MX with a colourscreen and faster cpu to cope with the colour screen and better connectivity then they wouldn't have vanished.

But it doesn't matter. In the end ALL companies make crucial mistakes which kills them (or that particular division). Look at Sony or Toshiba (ppl haven't forgotten the **** they had with the E740 and now Toshiba pays the price even though they have indeed changed for the better in consumer relations)

The same will happen with Sony-Ericson, Nokia, Intel and Microsoft. Only time will tell. Ofcourse sometimes they can recuperate like IBM or Psion with Teklogix at one side and Symbian at the other) but this does come at great costs. I wonder what happened to all the ppl whom designed the Series 3/5/MX. In fact I wonder what happened to the guys who wrote Psion Chess for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum eons ago? :-) )

regards,

Manu T