In Pictures: Pocket marvels - 40 years of handheld computers

From the first pocket scientific calculator through '80s organisers to today's tablets, check out 15 ingenious devices that have driven the handheld computing revolution.

In 1972, engineers at Hewlett-Packard rose to a challenge from founder William Hewlett to fit all the scientific functions of the company's flagship desktop calculator into something he could slip into his shirt pocket. They came up with the HP-35, a scientific calculator no bigger than a box of Milk Duds -- and arguably the world's first handheld computer.

Join us for a tour of 15 of the most notable handheld computers from the past 40 years. Some were wildly successful, others infamous flops, but they were all commercially available products, not concepts or prototypes. And they could all be held in one hand and operated with the other -- no laptops, netbooks or laptop/tablet hybrids allowed in our list.

1 of 17
VIEW ALL THUMBNAILS

Most Popular

Tethering tutorial: How to use your iPhone as a modem
LCD vs plasma vs LED TVs buying guide
How to pick the right size TV for your living room
Capacitive vs resistive touchscreens
Buying guide: Ovens, cooktops and freestanding cookers (upright ranges)

Best Deals on PCWorld

Networking, Wireless & VoIPView all »
NotebooksView all »
TabletsView all »
Mobile PhonesView all »
Printers & ScannersView all »

rhs_login_lockSign up to PC World Today for the latest news, reviews and galleries from PC World Australia.

Resources

Broadband test
The GGG broadband speed test.