Author: Mike Byrne
Date: 12:19:26 12/06/03
Go up one level in this thread
On December 06, 2003 at 14:43:42, Steven Edwards wrote: >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. I agree 100%. But for any adult, a Palm or Pocket PC is the way to go. I own a Pocket PC right now - but I had a Palm Vx. I personally prefer the way a Pocket PC handles PGN files better - but they both far greater utility than just a handheld chess game. The newer color units have very nice screens, excellent back lighting, plenty of storage and processing speed for chess programs. Handheld PDA's also support e-books, which is very convenient if you like to read a book on the train whiel going to work. For example, I am currently reading Winston Churhill's "The Gathering Storm". It is much easier and less cumbersome to carry a book of that magnitude on a PDA if you want to read it on the train. Also, it very easy easy to convert any webpage into an ebook for your PDA. The process takes a minute or 2 to convert it and transfer it your PDA. If you are interested, let me know and I will provide the links. Another project I have going is converting the entire Chess Informant Series with annotations into ebooks suitable for a PDA. This series is copyrighted, so unfortunately I will not be able to share with it anyone. I have e-mail Chess Informant with an offer to plublish the ebooks under their copyright, but so far I have not heard a response. I estimate Volumes 1 through 87 will take up about 90 MB in space - plenty of room for a 128MB or larger memory card.
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