Handheld PC

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
A GPD Win 2 Handheld PC, released in 2018 running Windows 10
gaming PC, released in 2023 running Windows 11

A handheld personal computer (PC), typically built around either a

gaming form factor with a gamepad integrated for video games, is a mobile device that is significantly smaller than any standard personal computer (PC), but based on the same principles as PCs. The clamshell form factor is sometimes referred to as a palmtop computer, not to be confused with Palmtop PC which was a name used mainly by Hewlett-Packard
.

Until recently, most handheld PCs used an

subnotebooks
.

The name Handheld PC was used by

Windows CE
operating system.

History

Atari Portfolio (1989)

The first hand-held device compatible with desktop IBM personal computers of the time was the

Nokia E90
can be considered to be of the same class.

Today, most modern Handheld PCs are designed around portable gaming. And due to the popularity of the

gaming console, and subsequently; the Steam Deck
, most modern handheld PC's designs are influenced by the designs of both devices.

Microsoft's Handheld PC standard

An NEC Handheld PC running Windows CE 1.0
Sharp Mobilon PRO PV5000A, Handheld PC running Windows CE 2.11 released in 1998

The Handheld PC (with capital "H") or H/PC for short was the official name of a hardware design for

Windows CE. 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. It provides the appointment calendar functions usual for any PDA.

Microsoft was wary of using the term "PDA" for the Handheld PC. Instead, Microsoft marketed this type of device as a "PC companion".[2][3]

To be classed as a Windows CE Handheld PC, the device must:[4]

  • Run Microsoft's Windows CE
  • Be bundled with an application suite only found through an OEM Platform Release and not in Windows CE itself
  • Use ROM
  • Have a
    screen
    supporting a resolution of at least 480×240
  • Include a keyboard (except tablet models)
  • Include a
    PC card
    slot
  • Include an infrared (IrDA) port
  • Provide wired
    Universal Serial Bus
    (USB) connectivity

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.

In 1998, Microsoft released the Palm-size PC, which have smaller screen sizes and lack keyboards compared to Handheld PC. Palm-size PC became Pocket PC in 2000.

Due to limited success of Handheld PC, Microsoft focused more on the keyboard-less Pocket PC. In September 2000, the updated Handheld PC 2000 was announced which is based on version 3.0 of Windows CE.[5] Interest in 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.[3] HP and Sharp both discontinued their Windows CE H/PCs in 2002, while NEC was last to leave the market in 2005. However, some manufacturers abandoned the format even before Microsoft did, such as Philips and Casio.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Handheld PC.

References

  1. ^ "HP Virtual Museum: Hewlett-Packard 95LX computer, 1991". www.hp.com. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  2. ^ "The Spectacular Failure of WinCE and Windows Mobile". www.roughlydrafted.com. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
  3. ^ a b "The history of Windows CE - thisishenry168". sites.google.com. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
  4. ^ Tilley, Chris (2001-02-18). "The History of Windows CE: Windows CE 1". HPC:Factor. Retrieved 2007-04-20.
  5. ^ Brewin, Bob (2000-09-07). "Microsoft tries again with Handheld PC". Computerworld. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
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