This site is about handheld computing. It’s history – where it came from, the companies and the models. Why a site about handheld computing, you may ask. The simple reason is that I have always been fascinated by small things that can do powerful things, and handheld computers are hard to beat in this respect. Until smartphones arrived, that is, but that’s a different story. Handheld computers of its time could do almost everything a big computer could do, if you just programmed them correctlly. Also it helps that the time-period where you could buy a PDA was very limited. Before 1984 the hardware was not there to be able to make one. And after 2005 or so, the reason to buy a PDA had gone away because of the introduction of smartphones.
Ever since I started to collect these items, I wanted to share with you all the information I have. Common to all models presented is that I own at least one copy that works.
If you would like to see some of the models IRL, then you would have to visit me in my home in Linköping Sweden. If so, let me know by filling in the contacts form.
Navigating the museum
The intention is to provide the user (you) with a way to navigate the museum just as you would a real museum. You should be able to choose your own path. At the moment you can follow the development of PDAs from old to new (or reverse), and from small to big (or reverse). There is also and Alphabetical Listing of all the PDAs with the possibility to filter by type, operating system and a few other choices. You can also search for as specific model by using the search box at the top of the page.
Guided tours
- Follow PDA evolution (old → new)
- Follow PDA evolution (new → old)
- Follow PDA evolution (large → small)
- Follow PDA evolution (small → large)
What does PDA mean?
PDA stands for “Personal Digital Assistant” and is just one of the terms used to describe a device that is typically small enough to fit in a pocket and that manages personal information (PIM). The term PDA was probably invented by Apple when they introduced the Apple Newton Messagepad.
Other names that have been used in the past to describe the same kind of device are “Palmtop”, “Organizer”, “Handheld PC”, “PC Companion” and so on. For the special case of of watch containing a computer (nowadays a “smartwatch”) the term used to be a “wrist-PDA”.
Feedback
I welcome your feedback regardless of it is nit-picking on something on one of the descriptions, contributing more information on one or more of the models or offering to send me one PDA for inclusion in the museum.