Psion netBook

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Psion netBook
OLPC XO next to a Psion Netbook 2.jpg
Psion netBook
Developer Psion PLC
ManufacturerPsion PLC
Product familyPsion netBook
Type Subnotebook
Generation4
Release date1999;24 years ago (1999)
Lifespan1999–?
Operating system EPOC32
CPU StrongARM SA-1100 190 MHz
Intel XScale PXA255 400 MHz
Memory32, 64, 128 MB
Removable storage CF II (Microdrive), PC Card
Display VGA or SVGA
Input QWERTY keyboard, microphone
Connectivity RS-232 serial port
Marketing targetbusinesses
Predecessor Psion Series 5
Language Open Programming Language

The Psion netBook is a small subnotebook computer developed by Psion. Released in 1999, it was for the mobile enterprise market. [1]

Contents

Description

Similar in design to the later, consumer-oriented Psion Series 7, the netBook has a clamshell design, a Video Graphics Array (VGA) resolution touch-sensitive colour screen, 32 MB random-access memory (RAM), 190 MHz StrongARM SA-1100 processor and a QWERTY computer keyboard. The RAM is upgradeable by adding an extra 32 MB chip. The netBook is powered by a removable rechargeable lithium-ion battery, giving a battery life of 8 to 10 hours.

The netBook runs the EPOC ER5 operating system, the predecessor of Symbian OS. Unlike the Psion Series 7, the netBook operating system runs from RAM. A Java virtual machine runtime system (environment), conforming to Java version 1.1.8, is available.[ citation needed ]

In October 2003, Psion Teklogix announced the NetBook Pro, replacing the original netBook. This was similar to the earlier model, but upgraded with a 16-bit colour Super VGA (SVGA, 800 × 600 pixel) display, 128 MB of RAM, and a 400 MHz Intel XScale PXA255 processor running Windows CE .NET Framework 4.2 instead of EPOC. [2] It is also possible to run Linux on this model. [3]

An open-source project OpenPsion, formerly PsiLinux, ported Linux to the Psion netBook and other Psion PDAs. [4]

Included software

The Netbook trademark

Psion registered the trademark NETBOOK in various territories, including European Union [5] and U.S. Trademark 75,215,401 , which was applied for on 18 December 1996 and registered by United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on 21 November 2000. They used this trademark [6] for the netBook product, discontinued in November 2003, [7] and from October 2003, the NETBOOK PRO, later also discontinued. [8]

Intel began use of the term netbook in March 2008 as a generic term to describe "small laptops that are designed for wireless communication and access to the Internet", believing they were "not offering a branded line of computers here" and "see no naming conflict". [9]

In response to the growing use of this term, on 23 December 2008, Psion Teklogix sent cease and desist letters [10] to various parties including enthusiast website(s) demanding they no longer use the term "netbook". [11] [12]

During the twelve years since Psion first lodged the original netbook trademark, the term had become perceived as sufficiently generic that later derivative marks were rejected by the USPTO citing a "likelihood of confusion" under section 2(d), including "G NETBOOK" ( U.S. Trademark 77,527,311 rejected 31 October 2008), MSI's "WIND NETBOOK" ( U.S. Trademark 77,580,272 ) and Coby Electronics' "COBY NETBOOK" ( U.S. Trademark 77,590,174 rejected 13 January 2009).

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References

  1. "Psion netbook news release". PR News Wire (Press release). Archived from the original on 8 June 2011.
  2. Vogel, Sandra (3 October 2003). "Psion NetBook Pro: a first look". ZDNet.co.uk. ZDNet . Retrieved 23 February 2009.
  3. Linux on Psion Netbook Pro
  4. "OpenPsion". SourceForge.
  5. EUTM 000428250
  6. "Psion Continues to Extend the Reach of E-business Strategies Beyond the Enterprise: Announces Support for Oracle8I Lite on Its New Netbook Device" (Press release). United Business Media. 26 October 1999. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011.
  7. "Psion Discontinued Products". Archived from the original on 17 May 2007.
  8. NETBOOK PRO Discontinued Archived 2011-01-04 at the Wayback Machine .
  9. Paul Bergevin – VP and GM of Intel’s Global Communication Group.
  10. Psion Cease and Desist Letter Archived 2009-03-26 at the Wayback Machine
  11. jkOnTheRun.
  12. Psion threatens netbook sites over trademarks.