RE: ATM - Windows CE (Palmtop Computers)

[Paul LeFevre <paull@lucasarts.com>]

Adam,
>I've never used one of the mini "palmtop" pc's.  Is windows CE suitable
>for running small DOS applications like Mel's software?  Or should I be
>smart and get a "real" laptop?

Buy a "real" laptop.  I have the Philips Velo (R4400 75MHz processor, 16MB
RAM, WinCE 2.0).  It's a wonderful little machine.  It's NOT a wonderful
machine for what you want to do.  There is *no* DOS prompt -- and no
facility for running DOS apps.  You'd have to port Mel's software over to
WinCE.  Keep in mind that WinCE development can only be done on Windows NT,
though there are some freeware/shareware C interpreters and BASIC
interpreters out there that sorta work.

>What about ports? Do those little things have parallel and Com ports?

Most of them (mine included) have an RS-232 port ("COM" port), with some
kind of non-standard connector.  Programming the RS-232 port is NOT the same
as doing standard COM port stuff in DOS or even Windows 95/98, it's a bit
more tricky.  No parallel ports on any of the WinCE machines I've ever seen,
if you want to print something you transfer it to your regular PC and print
from there.

One other thing -- battery life with continuous usage is not what you would
want from these little guys.  With the backlight on my LCD screen, I get
about 1.5-2 hours continuous usage from my rechargeable lithium batteries.
Most of the AA-powered beasts get about the same or a bit more.  Forget
about a whole night out :)

Paul

http://www.slip.net/~lefevre/scope.htm