---
title: PSION Series 3
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Pocket
origins:
- United Kingdom
years:
- '1991'
cpus:
- NEC V30H
params:
  name: Series 3
  image: /media/museum/photos/psion_series3_system_s2.jpg
  company: /companies/psion
  company_name: PSION
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: Series 3
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: PSION
  - label: TYPE
    value: Pocket
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: United Kingdom
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1991'
  - label: END OF PRODUCTION
    value: '1999'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: OPL
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: 58-key QWERTY
  - label: CPU
    value: NEC V30H
  - label: SPEED
    value: 'S3: 3.84MHz, S3a: 7.68MHz'
  - label: RAM
    value: 'S3: 128-256K, S3a: 256K-2MB'
  - label: ROM
    value: 'S3: 384K, S3a: 1MB'
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 'S3: 8 lines x 40 chars, S3a: 16 lines x 80 chars'
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 'S3: 240x80, S3a: 480x160'
  - label: COLORS
    value: 'S3: B/W LCD, S3a: Black, Grey & White (3 "colours")'
  - label: SOUND
    value: 'S3: Buzzer, S3a: Loudspeaker, 2 channels or samples'
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 165 (W) x 85 (H) x 22 (D) mm
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Proprietary - RS232 & Centronics adapters available
  - label: OS
    value: EPOC16
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: 2 AA batteries or mains
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: Proprietary memory expansions
  - label: PRICE
    value: 'S3: £179.00 to £249.00, S3a: £269.00 to £399.00'
  tabs:
  - photos
  - software
  forum_thread: 1175
  photos:
  - title: LARGE VIEW
    subtitle: ''
    text: Thanks to **Jonathan Barnes**
    image: /media/museum/photos/psion_series3_system_s1.jpg
  screenshots:
  - title: CARD GAME
    subtitle: screenshot
    text: Thanks to Damian Walker for this screenshot
    image: /media/museum/software/psion_series3_ss_acespace.png
  - title: GAME
    subtitle: screenshot
    text: Thanks to Damian Walker for this screenshot
    image: /media/museum/software/psion_series3_ss_crissx.png
  - title: GAME
    subtitle: screenshot
    text: Thanks to Damian Walker for this screenshot
    image: /media/museum/software/psion_series3_ss_epo.png
  - title: GAME
    subtitle: screenshot
    text: Thanks to Damian Walker for this screenshot
    image: /media/museum/software/psion_series3_ss_jumpy.png
  - title: GAME
    subtitle: screenshot
    text: Thanks to Damian Walker for this screenshot
    image: /media/museum/software/psion_series3_ss_slider.png
  oc_id: 1207
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230608221205/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1207
    date: '2023-06-08'
---

In 1991, Psion launched their first clamshell format organiser, the Series 3. It featured a NEC V30H 8086-compatible processor running at 3.84MHz. The machine featured 128K or 256K of RAM, and into its 384K ROM Psion fit their EPOC operating system (as used in the MC 200 & 400 models, upgraded with new features), several good office/PDA applications and the OPL programming language.

In 1993 the Series 3a was launched. Despite the insignificant change in version number, this was a major upgrade: 256K or 512K RAM, double the processor speed, a much bigger LCD screen and upgraded sound capable of playing back digital samples at 8-bit or 13-bit quality. The 1MB ROM included new applications: a spreadsheet and a much upgraded Agenda package comparable to agenda/diary applications on desktop machines. 1MB and 2MB models were added later, and included a Patience game.

The Series 3 range of computers continued to be developed until 1998, when the model 3mx was released. This model was discontinued in 1999. Much of their software was ported to the Series 5 range, which was produced between 1997 and 2001, and some of the software, especially the built-in programming language OPL, is still being used and developed in Symbian mobile phones (Series 60, etc.), which are the descendants of the Psion PDA software architecture.

Thanks to **Damian Walker** for the information, **Jonathan Barnes** for the picture.