In 1986 Psion launched their second pocket computer, the Organiser II.
Initially there were two models: the 8K RAM model CM and the 16K model
XP. Both had a 32K ROM containing simplistic software, including a card
file database, diary and clock. Less simplistic was the OPL programming
language, a semi-compiled structured language allowing full use of the
machine's features. It was this that principally guaranteed the
machine's success. Later, the XP was upgraded to 32K RAM for the U.S.
market, and given the model name LA, though the cases still bore the
legend "XP".
In 1989, two upgraded models were released, the LZ and LZ64. These
featured an enlarged 20x4 display, a choice of 32K or 64K RAM, and a 64K
ROM containing more sophisticated diary and card file software, along
with a notepad application. The OPL language was upgraded with a few
extra statements to take advantage of the machine's capabilities (and to
rectify a few omissions from the CM/XP's built-in language).
Expansion was through a proprietary connector in the top of the machine,
protected by a sliding door. Bar code readers and a thermal printer
were available. Memory expansion was through a pair of expansion slots
in the back of the machine. "Rampaks" were simple battery-backed RAM
expansions. "Datapaks" were EPROMs which acted as write-once-read-many
drives and were formatted with an external formatter device - a simple
UV light with timer that erased the EPROMS. "Flashpaks" were EEPROMs,
which acted similarly to Datapaks but could be formatted using the Psion
itself. Software was supplied on Datapaks, or occasionally PROMs. The
model CM could use only Datapaks.
The Organiser II range was used in a wide variety of environments,
including retail and industrial environments in which its hardy case was
particularly valuable. It was superseded as a PDA in 1991 when Psion
brought out the Series 3 range, but continued to be manufactured until
the late 1990s. Their robust design may well allow them to continue
functioning long after the later Series 3 and 5 range machines are
beyond repair.
Thanks to Damian Walker for information and picture.
Please consider donating your old computer / videogame system to Old-Computers.com or one of our partners from anywhere in the world (Europe, America, Asia, etc.).
I own an lz64 64 I purchased in 1091 I find it usefully as a notebook in which ad a medical technician I keep a record of asset and serial numbers on it for the equipment I maintain it fits in my tool box its unusual in that its made in uk not china or japan its fitted with 2 32 k datapacks its well made from the days when we were able to make things ourselves everything made in china now
Tuesday 25th October 2022
Mark Garton (United Kingdom)
I recently found mine along with a 256k flash solid state disk, does anyone know how these would be connected to the organiser itself?
Thursday 29th April 2021
ryan hunt (United Kingdom)
I have the program to update CM or XP Psion II Organisers to set current date (2000 onwards). It is available on eBay (Y2K and INFO datapack). The info program also shows the available ram and version numbers etc. It will also auto boot Psion II POS models to work as XP mode. Also many other Psion II packs and hardware. Search under username Lepowerfulpierre on eBay.
Wednesday 30th December 2020
Peter White (England)
NAME
Organiser II
MANUFACTURER
PSION
TYPE
Pocket
ORIGIN
United Kingdom
YEAR
1986
END OF PRODUCTION
1989
BUILT IN LANGUAGE
OPL
KEYBOARD
36-key Alphabetic
CPU
HD6303X
SPEED
0.92MHz
RAM
CM: 8 KB, XP: 16 KB, LA/LZ: 32 KB, LZ64: 64 KB
ROM
CM/XP/LA: 32 KB, LZ/LZ64: 64 KB
TEXT MODES
CM/XP/LA: 2 lines x 16 chars, LZ/LZ64: 4 lines x 20 chars
