Author: Steven Edwards
Date: 11:43:42 12/06/03
Some thoughts on handheld LCD chess computers: 1. There are at least three companies making dedicated LCD handheld chess computers: Excalibur, Novag, and Saitek. If one of the brands is reviewed, the other two should also be referenced. 2. I have yet to see an LCD touch screen in a dedicated unit that is anywhere close to the quality seen in the average color LCD general purpose handheld. Specifically, the legibility of the special purpose, B/W multi-segment chess man elements seen in dedicated units pales in comparison with even the least expensive 160 x 160 pixel displays, color or grayscale, seen on any Palm OS device. 3. A grayscale Palm OS handheld can be had for US$80 with plenty of storage for multiple chess playing programs and also with a processor fast enough to easily beat nearly anyone at casual time controls. 4. The CPU speed and storage size advances in the Palm OS device domain is even faster than that of the desktop or notebook domains, probably mostly due to market pressures. It is doubtful that such pressures are positively affecting dedicated chess handhelds to a similar extent. 5. Compared to dedicated units, chess programs in general purpose handhelds can be upgraded. Even better, with the proper development kit, you can write your own program. 6. An inexpensive dedicated handheld might be a good idea as an option for someone on a very tight budget, or as a gift for a young person who likes chess. But I think that for everyone else, a general purpose handheld is a better idea.
This page took 0.01 seconds to execute
Last modified: Thu, 15 Apr 21 08:11:13 -0700
Current Computer Chess Club Forums at Talkchess. This site by Sean Mintz.