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From: howard@lysator.liu.se (MindWalker)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: Dream Machine (Re: HP Announces New Calculator!)
Message-ID: <559@lysator.liu.se>
Date: 4 Apr 91 22:35:09 GMT
References: <64RqZ1w163w@ireta.cynic.wimsey.bc.ca> <1991Apr2.130722.16548@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu> <9390@mentor.cc.purdue.edu>
Sender: news@isy.liu.se (Lord of the News)
Organization: Lysator Computer Club, Linkoping University, Sweden
Lines: 45

Well, since we've embarked on a discussion of everyones favorite HP-48SX
replacement, I thought I'd add my $2*10^-2.

The dream machine, to me, would be something the size of an 48SX, but with
no keys.  Right, _no_ keys.  Instead, replace everything with a large LCD
touch sensitive display.  This would be totally software and application
configurable, tailored to suit everyones personal taste.  At least four
ports with cards made from from a _single_ slab of silicon, preferably
multilayer (like a circuit board).  Now we're talking packing density. 
Each card would hold it's own CPU, 512kB [EP]ROM, 512kB of memory (for
applications), or > 1 MB of memory (for memory cards).  The "calculator"
(hmm, a new term is going to be needed.  Pity notebook is already used),
would hold one or several CPUs and the OS.  The cards would communicate
with the main CPU(s) via a message system.  Attached to the side of the
"calculator" would be a "pen", which would be used for menu selections,
or writing in text.  The text would be written in by writing with the pen,
as normal, though possibly with the limitation of a letter at a time.
Text could also be entered via a keyboard displayed on the LCD and using
the pen to select the keys.  The LCD ought to be colour, preferably with a
higher DPI rate than the LCD of the 48SX, to allow suitable presentation of
results and menus.  Now, the internal software might include all the standard
HP-48SX stuff, with suitable improvements, or it could come clean, the
HP-48SX functions being on a math card, and when you bought the calc you
got a card of your choice with it.  Business, pure math, EE oriented,
CS oriented, etc.  Quite a few possibilities.

Standard RS-232C port, preferably with another connector, IR port, high
speed port for add ons, such as HD, or local networking with other
calcs or computers.  An expansion box to allow more than just the four
basic cards (this would perhaps be slotted into one of the card slots).

Does this sound interesting?  What is _your_ idea of the Dream Machine,
the as-close-to-as-possible perfect calculator (or rather personal
handheld computer)?

With a keen eye towards the future...

/mvH


--
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