Pda
From Hudsonic
The term PDA is a bit dated and vague, but it is a decent shorthand term for handheld computer. My target specs are VGA screen (640x480 --or better) and WiFi web browsing (which makes it a "MID"). Bonus points for native Linux. http://handhelds.engadget.com/ and especially http://handhelds.engadget.com/tag/mid
The Nokia N810 is currently at the top of my list with its 800x480 touch-screen and Linux-based OS.
- http://www.engadget.com/tag/n810
- Size: 128x72x14mm
- N800 (touchscreen-only) http://www.engadget.com/tag/n800
- Size: 144x75x18mm (5.67x2.95x0.7in) Weight: 7.26 ounces.
Other contenders:
- Dell Axim http://www.aximsite.com/articles/link.php?id=200 some models have VGA screen
- HP iPAQ hx4700 Pocket PC (2004)
- Size: 5.17 x 3.03 x .59 inches. Weight: 6.6 oz
- Archos 605 (SD/flash version) 122x82x15mm --seems to have the same 4-inch 800x480 touchscreen as the Nokia N800, but for some reason is much cheaper. See comparison pics here: http://www.propeller.com/viewstory/2007/11/19/the-linux-based-archos-604/
[edit]
Honorable mentions
(screens less than full VGA, but bigger than QVGA) see also summary at http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=4820690&highlight=homebrew#post4820690
- Apple iPod touch has a 480 x 320 screen but is not designed to run home-brew apps
- size: 110x61.8x8 mm (4.3×2.4×0.31 in) -- 120 grams (4.2 ounces)
- Palm TX is close with a screen of 320 x 480. ("half-VGA" is quite nice compared to past Palm devices.)
- size: 121x78x15mm --and LifeDrive which is 19mm thick. http://www.palm.com/us/products/compare/hhelds_compare.html
- HP Jornada 720 has a half-VGA screen, but the "other half" (640 x 240) and only 32 MB RAM
- size: 7.4x3.7x1.4in (189x95x34mm)
- Sony PSP is a contender with its 480x272 screen http://engadget.com/tag/psp but it is bulky and lacks touch-screen input.
- size: 170x74x23mm
- NintendoDS combined screens resolution of 256 x 384 (2 screens at 256 x 192 ea.)
- size: 133x74x22mm ("DS Lite" version)
| x | y | device name | mega-pixels |
| 800 | 480 | Nokia N800 | 0.384 |
| 640 | 480 | VGA | 0.307 |
| 320 | 480 | Palm TX/T5/LifeDrive | 0.154 |
| 480 | 272 | Sony PSP | 0.131 |
| 320 | 320 | Palm E2 | 0.102 |
| 256 | 384 | Nintendo DS | 0.098 |
| 320 | 240 | QVGA | 0.077 |
Not handheld, but a small laptop: Asus Eee Pc Super Mobile Internet Device at http://www.buy.com/retail/Product.asp?sku=206208609
