Amstrad PenPad PDA600

The PenPad PDA600 was an early touchscreen-based PDA with handwriting pen input developed by Amstrad to compete with the Apple Newton and corner the British and European handheld computer markets.
The hardware was developed by Mutech Ltd., and the underlying OS was delivered by the Eden Group, which had also developed bespoke software applications for the device that run on PCMCIA memory cards.
==Why it had Failed and was Crummy==
#Even though it sold for less than half the price of the Newton ($430 compared to the latter's $920), it bombed.
#Its 128 KB RAM capacity is too small. Not helping is that it's backed by the three AA-size batteries needed to power the device.
#The CPU wasn't powerful enough to keep up with the user's handwriting input, and the touchscreen handwriting reader didn't manage it.
#The PDA600 has a rubber silkscreened coating that melts into a sticky substance over time. Gross!
#The database is totally uncustomizable, and is only suitable as a phonebook.
MORE TO BE ADDED
==External Links==
*Wikipedia article
*PenPad article at Old-Computers.com
*Amstrad PenPad PDA600 at ComputingHistory.org.uk
Category:Computers
Category:British Computers
Category:English Computers
Category:Amstrad
Category:PDAs
Category:1990s
Category:Under Construction