Psion Siena

Information appliance| title = Psion Siena


caption = Psion Siena 512k with lid open
manufacturer = Psion PLC
type = PDA
connectivity = Serial, 19200 bit/s RS-232C
lifespan = 1996
media = Psion Solid State Disks (optional) connected via RS-232 port
operatingsystem = SIBO
camera = N/A
input = QWERTY keyboard
Numeric Keypad
power = 2 × AAA battery
cpu = NEC V30H @ 7.68 MHz
display = 240 × 160 monochrome LCD
touchpad = N/AThe Psion Siena is a personal digital assistant made by Psion PLC and was released in 1996. Two versions of the Siena were released, one containing 512KB of memory and the second with 1MB.

The main power is provided by two AAA batteries and the backup power is provided by one cell style CR1620 battery. The batteries are held in a compartment below detachable casing in the top of the device. It does not have a socket for an external power source.

The Siena was of the same generation as the Psion 3 series but it has a smaller size screen (240x160 pixels) and an additional numeric pad situated next to the screen. The Siena uses the same 16bit NEC V30 processor as its predecessor the Series 3a. Although the Siena shares binary compatibility with the Series 3 many programs had to be modified due to the lower memory availability and smaller screen sizes.

Unlike the Series 3, the Siena does not have a bay for removable solid state disk drives; however, an external drive device is available which connects via an RS-232 serial port. The serial port also provided PC connectivity if used with the separately available PsiWin software and dial up access via the Travel modem accessory. Additional connectivity was available via the included infrared port which was located alongside the serial port.

In popular culture

The device was used as a model for a gadget in "Anarky" (vol.1) #3 , "Metamorphosis: The Economics of The Madhouse", a DC comic book. The character, Anarky, is seen tracking Batman's movements using the small PDA.

Gallery

External links

* [http://www.byte.com/art/9612/sec14/art23.htm Byte.com Review]
* [http://p.pellot.free.fr/chronique/chroniqueuk.htm Psion Withdraws - Why?]