Windows CE offers exciting Mobile Computing Possibities
Hardware
The hardware requirements to support a Windows CE based device are a supported processor,
memory, and an internal timer for scheduling. No other hardware is technically required by the
operating system, but obviously most devices will have a number of peripherals. Windows CE
supports various processors such as:
- ARM 720T,
- NEC 4100 and VR4300,
- Philips 3900,
- DEC SA-1 100,
- MIPS family,
- Intel 486 and Pentium,
- Power PC 821, and
- Hitachi SH3 and SH4.
Because of the variety of supported processors, there is expected to be a greater number of
hardware choices than what has been previously available in the pen-based hardware. Also,
these new class of devices will require less power to operate, will be better suited for wireless
communications, and cost considerably less than the current set of mobile hardware on the
market.
Currently, Windows CE based devices are available in three form factors, those being handheld
PC, palm PC and the Handheld PC Professional. The handheld PC is generally:
- Clam-shell type device with a keyboard,
- 640 x 240 pixel size screen,
- Gray tone or color display,
- Touch screen,
- 4MB to 32MB of RAM,
- Alkaline battery support for 15 to 20 hours of continuous operation,
- Serial and standard infrared ports,
- PC card slot.
Some of the current handheld PC vendors are:
- Casio,
- Compaq,
- Ericsson,
- Hewlett-Packard,
- Hitachi,
- LG Electronics,
- NEC,
- Novatel Wireless,
- Philips Electronics,
- Sharp Electronics.
The palm PC is a smaller device with the following characteristics:
- No keyboard,
- 240x 320 pixel size screen,
- Gray tone touch screen,
- 2MB to 4MB of RAM,
- Alkaline battery support for 15 to 20 hours of continuous operation,
- Serial and standard infrared ports,
- PC card slot.
Some of the current palm PC vendors are:
- Casio,
- Everex,
- LG Electronics,
- Palmax,
- Philips Electronics,
- Samsung,
- Uniden
The Handheld PC Professional version (Windows CE 2.1 ) is a larger device with a fill 640X480
screen. These devices have some of the following characteristics:
- 33.6 Kbps softmodem, IR
- 16-32MB RAM
- “ 256 color, 640X480 display
- Touch screen
- PC Card Type 11/I CompactFlash
- Serial port
- Keyboard
- Battery use 12-16 hours
Some of the current Handheld PC Professional vendors are:
- Vadem
- Sharp
- Hewlett-Packard
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