| Psion netBook | |
| Developer: | Psion PLC |
| Manufacturer: | Psion PLC |
| Family: | Psion netBook |
| Type: | Subnotebook |
| Generation: | 4 |
| Df: | Yes --> |
| Lifespan: | 1999–? |
| Df: | Yes --> |
| Os: | EPOC32 |
| Cpu: | StrongARM SA-1100 190 MHz Intel XScale PXA255 400 MHz |
| Memory: | 32, 64, 128 MB |
| Memory Card: | CF II (Microdrive), PC Card |
| Display: | VGA or SVGA |
| Input: | QWERTY keyboard, microphone |
| Connectivity: | RS-232 serial port |
| Predecessor: | Psion Series 5 |
| Marketing Target: | businesses |
| 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]
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.
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]
Psion registered the trademark NETBOOK in various territories, including the European Union[5] and, which was applied for on 18 December 1996 and registered by the 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 the 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" (rejected 31 October 2008), MSI's "WIND NETBOOK" and Coby Electronics' "COBY NETBOOK" (rejected 13 January 2009).
