Psion Revo Plus 16MB

An interesting alternative to Palm or Pocket PC organisers, the Revo Plus is stylish and slim and has a high-speed processor plus built-in long-life rechargeable batteries.

The Revo is relatively simple to set up. Connect the AC adapter to the serial cable (the power cord does not plug into the docking station), hook up the serial cable to your PC, open the case and slide the Revo Plus into the docking station. (It cannot fit into the docking station unless the case is open.) A green LED confirms that the Revo is properly docked and a red LED indicates that the battery is fast charging. The battery charges to 85 percent capacity in just 1.5 hours and fully charges in four hours, and the battery lasts about 12 hours. The Revo Plus is based along the same lines as earlier Psion models, but with considerable cosmetic and technical improvements. You operate this organiser with the 14 touch-sensitive buttons that border its screen or by using the stylus to tap onscreen buttons and menus. Psion has made every effort to keep the operational controls above the keyboard, thus maximising the space available for keys. Still, typing on this small keyboard requires much getting used to, and the keys' tactile feedback is not very satisfying.

In our tests, we typed memos, made appointments, added addresses and created a sample spreadsheet using the Psion's built-in applications. Agenda and contact information automatically synchronises with your PC. For other files, such as those made using the Psion's surprisingly advanced word processor and spreadsheet applications, the PsiWin software transfers and converts the files to a PC-compatible format, such as Microsoft Word or Excel. The Revo's PsiWin software is also compatible with Lotus SmartSuite, WordPerfect, dBASE and more.

Psion licences its EPOC operating system from Symbian, so the interface is not as instantly obvious as with a Microsoft Pocket PC/Handheld PC-based device. However, the steps to perform tasks are relatively intuitive. The Revo is accompanied by an extensive Handbook that provides a detailed introduction to the comprehensive suite of PIM applications and a CD-ROM with additional utilities and tools.

The Revo's built-in applications are Calc, Time, Word, Data, Sheet and Cascade. Additional applications include Today View, Agenda, Contacts, Phone and Jotter. The Revo Plus also supports e-mail, SMS messaging, Web browsing, PC synchronisation and connections to compatible mobile phones through its infrared port and an optional travel modem. If you are looking for an alternative to both Pocket PC and Palm OS organisers, consider the Psion Revo Plus. --Jason Weston

The Revo Plus is the perfect solution - it's little bigger than the Palm, and yet has most of the features (plus many more) that made the Psion 5 so useful.

For Palm users wondering what these are - think proper Word processor (fonts, formating, tables etc), a spreadsheet, and a decent size screen for important things like ZX Spectrum emulators.

The proper keyboard is invaluable when needing to enter lots of information quickly and accurately, especially in shakey places like a train.

I've surprised myself by how much i'm using the (secure) web browser and the WAP browser - being able to do things like buy concert tickets on-line whilst out with friends is one thing I never thought i'd need to do, but now it's there...

All in all, it's thoroughly recommended - if you need more than an address book and calendar, then the Psion Revo Plus beats the Palm V hands down.


Great But Dull!   June 19, 2001
24 out of 24 found this review helpful

This really is the ultimate PDA (well apart from no backlight). The Revo does far more than you would expect and bar a few minor glitches it is near perfect. Its speed is good and the multitasking puts even some desktop operating systems to shame. The software that comes bundled is pretty well made and actually useful.

I use my Revo for typing reports on the train (rather than bumbling around on the web and checking for emails that can wait, (this is what 100% stick PDAs are for!)), it is the keyboard that makes this possible. No "write with a stick" machine can beat the good old keyboard when it comes to pumping out reports on the way to work. The design of the unit also gives it a screen that is further across than down (as with 100% stick PDAs), this is a very good plus point.

I found loads of software on the web for my Revo including many games (great when you are sick of report writing). I play these on the way home (BTW I got over 5000 points on Cascade, is that good?).

The big problem is that their is no backlight? I mean were they out of their minds when they omitted this major function!? Just the slightest drop in light and the screen is almost totally invisable! I know of at least two people that did not purchase Revos because of this. Shame really.

The bottom line is that the Revo is great if you want to real work in good light!


brilliant PDA   August 6, 2002
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

had the revo plus (in fact a diamond Mako) for a year now. very little to say against it, having owned a psion 5 previously. The increase in speed is marked and useful and unlike the 5 it is a genuinely pocketable device.
Battery life - not brilliant - needs recharging very 6 or 7 hours. Keyboard - I can live with but I can see that people with big fingers may well have problems with it. Built in apps are both fast and comprehensive. PC connectivity with Win 98 is never a problem for me.


Best workhorse pda on the market   February 26, 2001
Mr. Justin Berkovi (London)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

I've tried them all and the REVO is the best pda by far over a long period of useage. It's operating system is slick, efficient and does not crash - unlike the microsoft pocket PC / CE variants which basically replicate their awful Windows problems but in the palm of your hand. Having the keyboard on the REVO makes a huge difference - you'll often find the graffiti system of the palm annoying and however good you become at it you can't beat the keyboard method of entry. The Psion is a true no nonsense machine and whilst it lacks the mp3 capability or backlight of more expensive machines these are gimmicks in comparison to the excellent way the Psion works. The email / internet settings are a doddle to set up and administer and the layout of the calendar and agenda items is superb and much better than the slab like presentation of other machines. I LOVE my REVO - it is synched up to my PC and you can archive all your old items and check back to what you were doing ages ago, it's brilliant and you should buy one NOW!!