Rating: 
Summary: Nice Little Computer with a Great Operating System
Review: I got my Psion Diamond Mako in January 2002 and have been happily using with it ever since. Closed, it is the size of an eyeglass case. I wanted a handheld which did word processing and spreadsheets and the this one does both. I use it to write on and re-read portions of my novel-in-progress during my child's gymnastics class. The Psion operating system offers everything a desktop computer should offer, but does not. I programmed my Mako to turn off when I close it, and guess what? When you turn it back on, one tap of the stylus takes you back to where you were when you turned it off. I can pull my Mako out and do something on it while I'm waiting for my desktop to boot up. Mine came with an old-fashioned serial port interface, so I didn't have to upgrade to USB to use it. It doesn't play music or have an expansion card slot. Yes, it is true there is no back light for the black and white screen, and the screen is not the state of the art, but it one tap can enlarge the size of the typeface on the screen to make it larger and more readable. The screen is wider than most PDA's, which increases readability. I move word processing documents between the Mako and Microsoft Word 6 for Windows 95 and Word for Office 97. I sometimes have to re-boot my desktop computer after moving files between Mako and the desktop, but then my Windows 98 system seems to looks for excuses to crash. My Mako never crashes. This week, at lunch, without the benefit of the manual, I learned how to use the IR port to exchange contacts information with a friend's new Palm MC505. Nine months of use and still my favorite toy. The Information Technology Corporate Gestapo at my place of work have not allowed me to try to interface it with Windows XP, so I can not report on XP compatibility. I use Windows XP at work, Windows 98 at my home desktop, and I watch my husband suffer with the arcane artistry of Linux. This little computer seems so much easier to use than the big machines with their big and hardware intensive operating systems. If you think computers should make word-processing and spreadsheet use truly portable, this is the hand-held to try.
Rating: 
Summary: This is my first PDA/Organizer
Review: I purchased this about 4 months ago and it really is easy to use especially if you are familiar with Microsoft Word and Excel. I use it to copy files from my PC that I want to have handy. The only thing I wish it had is a backlight. But that hasn't come into play too often. I usually have to charge it every 2 or 3 days. I recommend this product if you are not worried about having a lot accessories to go with it, because they are not that many available.
Rating:
Summary: Adorable... with some reservations, I love it...
Review: I've only had this product for a couple of weeks, but I love it more and more. I really thought I was going to end up with a Palm Pilot or clone, but really didn't like info layouts I saw. The Psion Revo/Diamond Mako was so much more appealing. I'd always used a paper organizer (lefax, Filofax), and the software format played to that approach. If you like Lotus' Organizer software, you'll know what I mean. They've designed it so well that you can get away using your fingers instead of the stylus on most of the software on-screen buttons. And I just love having a keyboard. No, you can't touch-type on it, but for me it's much faster than handwriting and you'd have to look down at the page to do that as well, assumedly.Now for the reservations: The lack of back-lighting is a really a problem. I'm looking into figuring out how to clamp a book like on to it as I hear some Nintendo Gameboy fans do with their units. It's not just that you can't see it in dim lighting... it's difficult to see if there's a glare reflecting off the screen as well... so you really find yourself jockeying for good lighting to read it. Also, even though it's a touch screen...it doesn't come with a paintbrush program or any handwriting recognition... although perhaps some exists out there on the internet (I haven't had time to search yet). This would have been nice for making little notes at times. Of course you can display a graphic on the screen, but you don't seem to be able to edit it. Also, Psion seems to have discontinued it's interest in developing electronic organizers further. I've yet to figure out how I can check e-mail from America Online on it even though you can browse the web with it. There seems to be some sort of problem with a java applet that AOL uses. Tracking down the version of Lotus Organizer that works with the unit was a bit difficult too, but Amazon does sell it. I figure, even if Psion has terminated the line, this organizer will last me 5 years until a suitable powerful alternative is available cheap.
Rating:
Summary: Started with the Palm, moved to Ipaq and settled with MAKO !
Review: If there is one word to describe the Mako, it's "Awesome". I started with the Palm IIIx and used it for a year before moving on to Palm V. The Palm's were great, did the basic jobs, let me play games and take my notes and email with me. That is where the functionality stopped. Then I moved to the Ipaq. Again a great device on its own terms. But the high cost and terrible battery life in addition to the bugggggggy OS made me look for alternatives. That is when I decided to try the Mako. I always believe that what sells well in Europe never does well in the US, whatever the reason. The Mako is a twin brother of the Revo plus and they are very very popular in Europe ! What does it do ? All that the Palm is capable of and most of what the Ipaq could. But wait, throw in these features and you have a winner: 1. Battery life while not on par with the Palm's is sooooo much better than the IPaq. I hardly charge once a week with a heavy use. 2. Half the price of a IPAQ and slightly above the Palm's. 3. FULL Office functionality on a wide screen. I cannot emphasize enough as to what this means. This is the one feature that drags the mako miles away from the Palm. The wide screen actually lets reading word and excel files practical and useful. 4. Very very stable OS. This is one of the few OS which was build on a 32bit platform. That in laymans terms simply means more stability and speed. 5. Lots of free programs available on the Net. All I would say is, Go out right now and buy it ! You will not regret it till the day when you have to use it in the cinema hall (No backlight. The one bad point in the device). One word of caution though. There is some known problems with the batteries and unless charged properly the first time, they usually get messed up. There is a lot of info on the net about this problem. READ them first before you open the mako box.
Rating:
Summary: Very Pleased
Review: In looking to jump into the pda market I stumbled across the Mako. It seemed to have everything I need already included in very user friendly format. I find the built-in keyboard fine for entering text, not quite big enough for touch typing but we are all worried about size, right, and who wants to carry an extra folding keyboard around. The programs are very nice. I don't know if they are "Microsoft" Word or "Excel" but I can't tell any difference, and having "Excel" I can pretty much create my own custom programs to do what I want. I feel the file management is intuitive to that of a PC, and with 16 meg I feel that there is plenty of space (and if I'm running out just download to my PC to make space) Anyway, I'm new to handheld computing but I am looking forward to enjoying the productivity and convenience of my new Mako.
Rating: 
Summary: Diamond Mako/Psion Revo Plus - Mac woes
Review: Outstanding hardware and software in a compact, highly usable form. Still rates only a 3 star rating in my world because of the near total lack of Mac connectivity support. To get it to connect you need a serial port Mac (they no longer exist - pay $50 to install an optional add-on) and MacConnect software (another $60-70). For that you get only file backup but no file conversion - that's only supported on Windows. Using VirtualPC did not work at the connectivity end but can be used for file conversion purposes with a little juggling... Tech support ranges from brusque to eminently helpful. Jason Leverett of PsionUSA (although he sounded Scottish and may actually be at the Home Office in the UK or Taiwan or China or wherever) - thank you for solving a non-working disk issue in 15 seconds with a quick email attachment.
Rating:
Summary: Diamond Mako is an excellent PDA
Review: The Diamond Mako is a wonderful choice if you're looking for a PDA. It offers 16 MB of RAM (which is twice as much as most Palm Pilots), has a full QWERTY keyboard, and a very friendly interface. It is easy to link with your PC and has a very good software package included. The only downfall is the lack of a backlight for the screen, but there are many ways to get around this. I feel that the Diamond Mako is the best PDA on the market.
Rating:
Summary: Great pocket computer
Review: The Diamond Mako is exactly what I've needed. Far cheaper than a laptop computer, it synchronizes easily with Microsoft Outlook (the scheduling software used at work) and creates Word and Excel files. I've needed something portable that allows me to write and format documents on-the-go. I use it to gather research, write sections of my dissertation, write articles for publication, keep track of appointments, and plan work-in-progress. Although many people claim one can't touch type on it, I can. My fingers may be somewhat smaller than average and I've touch typed for over 30 years. It's great to have a computer that will fit easily in any pack or purse, does not rely on handwriting (which I hate), will synchronise easily with the Outlook platform, and produce documents that are compatible with the software platforms I use. I've used it for hours without having to find an electrical outlet (although I do carry an AC adaptor when I'm on-the-go). The only drawback is that it doesn't have a backlight, but since that (and color) would be a major battery drain, I would rather not have either. I frankly don't understand the popularity of the palm-type schedulers; I'd far rather have a built-in keyboard.
Rating:
Summary: Mako
Review: The software on this system is easily better than anything PalmOS supports, especially the included word processor and spreadsheet (not to mention the excellent day-planner/to-do program). Trust me: I tried switching to Palm and came back. And unlike the bloated, flaky Windows software on PocketPC units, the EPOC OS on this is rock-solid and doesn't chew up batteries like breath mints. Combine that with an actual keyboard rather than trying to scribble on the screen, and there really isn't much of a contest.
Rating:
Summary: more powerful than PalmOS, more dependable than PocketPC
Review: The software on this system is easily better than anything PalmOS supports, especially the included word processor and spreadsheet (not to mention the excellent day-planner/to-do program). Trust me: I tried switching to Palm and came back. And unlike the bloated, flaky Windows software on PocketPC units, the EPOC OS on this is rock-solid and doesn't chew up batteries like breath mints. Combine that with an actual keyboard rather than trying to scribble on the screen, and there really isn't much of a contest.
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