Preview: This is an early version of the PDA Museum. More devices and content will be added continuously as the collection is documented.

PDA Museum – Exploring Handheld Computing

Welcome to a PDA museum dedicated to handheld computing – the devices, the ideas, and the history behind them.

Here you can browse the collection, follow guided tours, and learn more about the short but fascinating era when the PDA was one of the most ambitious forms of personal computing.

Start here!

Guided tours

Follow the PDA evolution by going from device to device in a specific order, for instance from old to new or from small to large.

From Old to New From New to Old From Large to Small From Small to Large

About this museum

I created this site to share both the collection itself and the ideas behind it. Handheld computers were fascinating because they tried to bring real computing into a pocket-sized format – and for a brief period, they succeeded in surprisingly many different ways.

All models presented here are represented by at least one device in my own collection. Over time, more models, better photos, and more detailed descriptions will be added.

What does PDA mean?

PDA stands for “Personal Digital Assistant”, a term used mainly in the 1990s and early 2000s for handheld devices that managed personal information such as calendars, contacts, notes, and tasks. Apple is credited with coining the term PDA, when introducing their Newton Messagepad line of handheld computers. Depending on the period and the manufacturer, similar devices were also described as palmtops, organizers, handheld PCs, or PC companions.

Feedback

I welcome feedback of all kinds – corrections, additional information, or suggestions for devices that should be included. If you have useful background information about a model, I would be glad to hear from you.