Handheld PC

A handheld PC, or H/PC for short, is a computer built around a form factor which is smaller than any standard laptop computer. It is sometimes referred to as a palmtop computer. The first hand-held device compatible with desktop IBM personal computers of the time was the Atari Portfolio of 1989. Other early models were the Poqet PC of 1989 and the Hewlett Packard HP 95LX of 1991. Other DOS-compatible hand-held computers also existed. Some handheld PCs use Microsoft's Windows CE operating system, with the term also covering Windows CE devices released by the broader commercial market.

Handheld PCs were discontinued in the early 2010s as the market shifted to smartphones and tablets (with the exception being the iPod Touch line by Apple Inc.).

The Handheld PC was a hardware design for personal digital assistant (PDA) devices running Windows CE. It provides the appointment calendar functions usual for any PDA. 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. Originally announced in 1996, the Handheld PC is distinct from its more recent counterparts such as the Palm-Size PC, Pocket PC, or smartphone in that the specification provides for larger screen sizes as well as a keyboard.

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

Over time, these standards were routinely breached by manufacturers. For instance, 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 the NEC MobilePro 900c, HP 320LX, HP Jornada 720, IBM WorkPad Z50, and Vadem Clio.

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