Andrew Melder

Sometimes I find myself going back to older technology. I don't know if it's a nostalgia thing or if the current line of tech devices are too good at multitasking that my overloaded brain craves devices that are focused on just doing one or a small number of things really well. I suspect it's a little of both.

When I bought this PSION Series 5 about a year ago it was purely for nostalgia. I loved PDAs back in my youth but never owned a PSION. Now with a little disposable income and with these devices at generally reasonable prices online, I decided to get one.

Like a lot of older technology, this device had its issues. The backlighting doesn't work and it's showing its age on parts of the outside coating; but it was working and had no issues with the main part I wanted to use: the keyboard.

While I tried to open it up to see if I could get the backlight working, I found out the ribbon cable was completely cut. A bigger job with new parts needed to try and get that working which is still more work that what I was willing to put into it. Carefully I reassembled the device and started playing.

First thing to note: while rechargeable batteries are a must with modern power hungry devices; old hardware that uses standard AA batteries is actually super convenient. No old battery pack to worry about replacing or custom charging plug to track down, just pop in 2 x AA batteries and this thing just turned on!

The keyboard is every bit as good as I imagined it to be. While it is understandable that modern electronics no longer have them, I do miss the days of devices like the PSION and the Blackberry. Typing on a GOOD physical keyboard is just so much more enjoyable for me compared to typing on a glass screen. The tactility just makes me want to write more, even if I'm likely more accurate and faster with predictive typing on modern smartphones.

Then there is the fact that this is a disconnected device; a rarity in the modern world. I recently discovered there is a term for distraction-free, single-purpose writing devices either commercially available or DIY made: writerDecks. I think this is one of the ultimate, mobile writerDecks available.

Yes initially it was a digital assistant, but these days using it for anything other than word processing would seem like a bit of a chore compared to modern devices. Thanks to it's portable size and excellent keyboard, the PSION really stacks up as a great dedicated writing device.

Of course, this is only if you can get your files off the device and onto a computer for collation, editing and publishing. No problem as the PSION has a Compact Flash card storage slot. While not as convenient as modern day SD cards, it's still relatively easy to get a card and card reader that will allow you to take files off the PSION and transfer them to a computer for use.

File compatibility is an issue as the PSION word format is not openly compatible with modern applications; however it can export those files onto your CF card as plain txt files.

Of course all of these advantages could be a me problem. Plenty of people are producing documentation on regular laptops without needing a dedicated device. I've also tried many different options to write more with minimal success: iPads with keyboard covers, focus apps on my devices, an eink writing tablet. None of these increased my writing productivity.

I do feel like I am writing more with the PSION however. I have blasts of writing flow where it feels the closest I've experienced to words just flowing from my brain to the screen. Again, this is probably a me thing.

Again, this is an old device so it's not all roses going back to old technology. As nice as this keyboard is, it is cramped so getting used to the key layout for punctuation takes some practice. That's if your keyboard works, which commonly stop working on the PSION 5 due to its folding design.
Then there's the screen. It's hard enough to read as it is, but when you have no backlight it's even more difficult; even in a decently lit environment. Annoyingly these compromises are enough for me to reconsider my use of the PSION as a writing device long term.

The future
This all has me reconsidering what I need from a writing device again and if I should find (or build) something better.

I think about not just the form factor but the capabilities needed. Connectivity is a slippery slope cause while you want a streamlined and non-proprietary way to get files off the device and onto a computer or phone, it's too easy to get to full browser capabilities with modern devices.

Then there is the hardware. A better screen with backlighting is a must, but there's also the keyboard type and size. Bigger than the PSION is probably worth it but too big and do I just go back to using my laptop with some more restrictions and hope I can leverage more self control to avoid distractions?

…or maybe I just keep using this thing and just write.

Author Note: Yes this blog post was written on the PSION 5 with slight edits on a Mac prior to publishing