Author: Frank Phillips
Date: 02:46:31 12/07/03
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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 would not I disagree that PDA's are better for chess, but (of course) you need a computer to put the software in and perhaps (heaven forbid) even Windows. This may become more of an issue rather than less (?)
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