A handheld computer , also called a palmtop computer , is a term that has variously been used to describe a small-sized personal computer (PC) typically built around a clamshell form factor and a laptop -like keyboard , including: Palmtop PCs , personal digital assistants (PDA), ultra-mobile PCs (UMPC) or portable gaming PCs . The brand Handheld PC specifically is a now-defunct class of computers introduced in the 1990s that was marketed by Microsoft , and is detailed below.
20-446: The MSI Claw A1M is a handheld gaming computer developed by Micro-Star International (MSI), released in March 2024. It has a 7-inch 120HZ LCD IPS display, and is powered by a Meteor Lake -based Intel Core Ultra 5 135H or Ultra 7 155H, with 8 Xe GPU cores and 12 CPU cores (4 performance + 8 efficiency, 135H) or 14 CPU cores (6 performance + 8 efficiency, 155H). Other hardware includes
40-595: A laptop rather than for example a cell phone ) with both PDAs and handheld PCs considered under the umbrella "palmtop computer". After 2000 the handheld PC segment practically halted, replaced by other forms and continuing only as a niche, although later communicators such as Nokia E90 or Toshiba Portégé G910 can be considered to be of the same class. On the other hand, ultra-compact laptops capable of running common x86 -compatible desktop operating systems have been typically classified as subnotebooks . Microsoft's ultra-mobile PC brought x86-based Windows — typically
60-491: A 168 MHz NEC VR4121 processor. The MobilePro 880 was released in 2000. It had specifications similar to the 780 but had a larger 9 inch 800 x 600 display and a USB port. The 790's ROM can be put in an 880 which upgrades the OS to CE 3 but disables the USB port. The MobilePro 790 was released in 2001. It is an upgrade of the 780 that runs Windows for Handheld PC 2000. The MobilePro P300
80-441: A 53 watt-hour Li-ion battery and 16 GB of RAM , based on information from previews. The Claw comes with Wi-Fi, two speakers, a Thunderbolt 4 -capable USB Type-C port, HDMI output and an audio jack. It runs Windows 11 Home and MSI Android App player. It weighs 675 grams and has a black outer coating. The device was criticized by reviewers for high power draw and lower performance than competing handheld PCs. Wired called
100-558: A PC via a docking cradle or could communicate with other handheld PCs via an infrared port . The unit is powered by a pair of AA batteries . The MobilePro 200 also has numerous organizer software features as well as numerous entertainment software (Solitaire) This unit is touchscreen and does not require the use of a mouse. The MobilePro 400 was released in 1997. It had 4 MB of RAM and a NEC VR4101 MIPS processor. It came with Windows CE 1.0 but could be upgraded to Windows CE 2.0. The MobilePro 400 has Pocket Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Like
120-558: A human hand . Other early models were the Poqet PC of 1989 and the Hewlett Packard HP 95LX of 1991 which run the MS-DOS operating system. Other DOS-compatible hand-held computers also existed. The popular definition of "handheld PC" eventually became a device bigger than a personal digital assistant (PDA) and with the addition of a keyboard that folds in half (making it more similar to
140-515: A success, being not so competitive against Palm 's smaller and lighter keyboard-less Palm PDAs as well against subnotebook computers that were quickly dropping in price. The second version of the CE software failed to improve the situation. In October 1999, Philips announced that it will stop producing their Velo Handheld PC and stop using Windows CE entirely due to low sales. After 2000, with Microsoft attempting again with Handheld PC 2000, interest in
160-579: The NEC MobilePro 900c , HP 320LX , Sharp Telios, HP Jornada 720 , IBM WorkPad Z50 , and Vadem Clio . Also included are tablet computers like the Fujitsu PenCentra 130, and even communicators like the late Samsung NEXiO S150. The second generation of Handheld PCs were based on Windows CE 2.0. Improvements include color 640 x 240 resolution displays (the first generation devices only supported 480 x 240), taskbar customization, printer support, and
180-466: The Handheld PC. Instead, Microsoft marketed this type of device as a "PC companion". Its main competitor in the field was Psion with their Series 3 and Series 5 . To be classed as a Windows CE Handheld PC, the device must: HP 's first displays' widths were more than a third larger than that of Microsoft's specification. Soon, all of their competition followed. Examples of Handheld PC devices are
200-512: The MobilePro 200 before it, it runs on two AA batteries which last about a month. The MobilePro 450 was released in 1997. It was virtually identical to the 400 but introduced a backlight display. In addition, it is identical to the MobilePro 200 handheld, save the backlight screen and more memory. The MobilePro 700 was released in 1998. The design was significant change from earlier models with an 8.1 inch diagonal HVGA 640 x 240 display and removed
220-509: The addition of Pocket PowerPoint to the Pocket Office suite. In October 1998, Handheld PC Professional based on Windows CE 2.11 was released with many enhancements under the hood, as well as full VGA display resolution. New hardware resembling subnotebooks were released on the market using this version. In September 2000, the updated Handheld PC 2000 was announced which is based on version 3.0 of Windows CE. Handheld PC failed to be
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#1732858546665240-526: The form factor overall quickly evaporated, and by early 2002 Microsoft were no longer working on Handheld PC, with its distinct functionality removed from version 4.0 of Windows CE. HP and Sharp both discontinued their Windows CE H/PCs in 2002, while NEC was last to leave the market. At the same time, notebook computers had become increasingly slimmer and portable, and the Handheld PC was increasingly limited by its Windows CE software in comparison. Due to limited success of Handheld PC, Microsoft focused more on
260-462: The hardware outdated and battery life poor next to competitors. Handheld PC The term has been varyingly used and intermixed with other terms. The first "hand-held" device compatible with desktop IBM personal computers of the time was the Atari Portfolio of 1989; such devices were often called " Palmtop PC s" at the time, as they were IBM PC–compatibles that could fit in the palm of
280-511: The intent of Windows CE was to provide an environment for applications compatible with the Microsoft Windows operating system, on processors better suited to low-power operation in a portable device. These devices could run on the SH-3 , MIPS , and later ARM processor architectures. It provides the appointment calendar functions usual for any PDA. Microsoft was wary of using the term "PDA" for
300-410: The keyboard-less and smaller Pocket PC , which would run what would later be known as Windows Mobile . MobilePro#MobilePro 900c The MobilePro is a discontinued line of personal digital assistants manufactured by NEC . Most models in the MobilePro range were handheld PCs with almost full size keyboards and a compact form placing them between being a palmtop and a subnotebook . All of
320-448: The models in the MobilePro range ran a version of Microsoft 's Windows CE mobile operating system and could be navigated using a stylus and touchscreen . The MobilePro 200 was the first system released under MobilePro brand in 1997. It featured a non-backlit 480 x 240 four-colour grayscale display and a type II PC Card slot. It had 2 MB of RAM and a NEC VR4101 MIPS microprocessor and ran Windows CE 1.0. It could be synced to
340-464: The modern definition of 'PC' — to palm sized mobile devices for the first time and these have also been referred to as handheld PCs. The Steam Deck has rekindled interest in "handheld" PCs since 2021, specifically for gaming, designed with a gamepad integrated for video games although it does not have a keyboard. The Handheld PC ( H/PC ) is a class of portable computers running Windows CE created and marketed by Microsoft . Introduced in 1996,
360-401: The need for a docking cradle. It added a VGA port, a 33.6K modem, a compact flash slot and an internal microphone. It had 8 MB of RAM, Windows CE 2.0 and a 54 MHz NEC VR4102 MIPS processor. The MobilePro 750 was released in 1998. It was the first MobilePro to feature a 256 colour display. It had 16 MB of RAM, Windows CE 2.0 and an NEC VR4111 80 MHz processor. The MobilePro 750c is
380-487: The rarest MobilePro on the market. The MobilePro 770 was released in 1999. It added a 4096 colour display and a 56K modem. It had 32 MB of RAM, Windows CE 2.11 and a 131 MHz NEC VR4121 MIPS processor. The MobilePro 800 was released in 1999. It had specifications similar to the 770, but had a larger 9 inch 800 x 600 display and a USB port. The MobilePro 780 was released in 2000. It had an 8.1 inch 640 x 240 64K colour display, 32 MB of RAM, Windows CE 2.11 and
400-1021: Was released in 2002. Unlike the rest of the MobilePro range, the P300 was a Pocket PC without a keyboard. It had a compact flash card slot and an SD card slot. It had 32 MB of RAM, a 206 MHz Intel StrongARM processor and ran Windows Pocket PC 2002. OS: Windows CE 3.0 / Handheld PC 2000 Bundled applications: Pocket Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, Microsoft Voice recorder, World Clock, Calculator, Solitaire, Terminal, ActiveSync, Remote Networking, Terminal Server Client CPU: 400 MHz Intel XScale PXA255 Memory: 64 MB RAM SDRAM / 64 MB Flash ROM (32 MB for user applications and data) Display: 8.1 inch HVGA (640 x 240) display I/O interfaces: 56 kbit/s V.90 modem USB ports Serial port PC Card Type I/II slot Compact Flash Type I/II slot Infrared (Fast IR) Dimensions: 9.7 x 8.25 x 1.2 in. Weight: under 2 lbs. (with standard battery) The MobilePro 900c
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