First Handheld Computer

The HP-35 set the stage for future handheld computers, proving that powerful computing capabilities could be packed into a small, portable device. The Rise of Pocket Computers The Psion Organiser In 1984, British company Psion released the Psion Organiser, the world's first pocket computer.

The first handheld computers, however, were not quite the sleek and powerful devices we are familiar with today. In 1970, the Intel 4004 microprocessor was developed, which would become the foundation for early handheld computing devices. The first true handheld computer was the HP-35, a scientific calculator introduced by Hewlett-Packard in 1972.

Explore the history of handheld computers and tablets from early calculators to modern devices. Learn how they evolved from specialized tools to general-purpose computers with various features and functions.

The development of the laptop computer seems like a natural progression of these two devices, combining the battery power and small size of the handheld computers with the fold-out keyboard of the luggables.

The story of the first portable computer reveals the highs and lows of technological innovation.

The device also inspired the arrival of the first handheld gaming computer. Together, these two accomplishments make for a pretty impressive legacy. Baby Steps, Teething Issues, and Broken Promises

The First True Portable Computer While several machines claimed to be portable, the title of quotfirst true portable computerquot is often awarded to the Osborne 1, introduced in 1981. Designed by Adam Osborne, the Osborne 1 was a groundbreaking device that redefined what it meant to be portable. Specifications and Features The Osborne 1 came equipped with an 8-inch screen, offering a resolution of

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

The PalmPilot The PalmPilot was the first wildly popular handheld computer. Its success helped bridge the previously separate worlds of the electronic organizer, the PC, and later, the mobile phone. The PalmPilot succeeded by redefining the handheld as an accessory to the personal computer, not its replacement. Winning features included seamless one-button synchronization with the PC

1981 The Osborne 1 The first commercially successful portable personal computer weighed 23.5 pounds, and when closed it looked like a lopsided, hard-body suitcase.