The Hewlett Packard 320LX Palmtop PC was one of the first handheld PCs to run the Windows CE 0 operating system from Microsoft. Released in the second quarter of 1997, it was a groundbreaking device that offered advanced features and capabilities compared to other handheld PCs of its time.
Enhanced Screen Resolution and Design
Unlike its competitors, the HP 320LX featured a resistive touch screen with an enhanced resolution of 640x240 pixels, offering four shades of grey. This was a significant improvement over the standard 480x240 resolution of other devices. The device was made of molded grey plastic, with a lighter grey plastic stylus conveniently stored on the right-hand side of the device, under the keyboard.
The left-hand side of the device featured a PC card slot, allowing users to expand the device's capabilities. Additionally, it included a serial link cable plug and an infrared port, enabling easy connectivity with other devices.
Powerful Software and Applications
The HP 320LX came preloaded with 'Pocket' versions of Microsoft applications, such as Word and Excel, making it a versatile productivity tool. It also included essential PIM (Personal Information Management) applications like Tasks, Calendar, and Contacts. The device featured a basic version of Internet Explorer for web browsing, and an update to the Inbox email application was released shortly after its launch.
To access the internet, users needed to use a third-party PCMCIA card modem or network card. This allowed for mobile connectivity and access to the internet on the go, making the HP 320LX a truly portable device for professionals.
Is hewlett packard a fortune 500 company?Upgraded Versions: HP 320LX and HP 360LX
Building on the success of the HP 320LX, HP released an upgraded version of the device, the HP 360LX, in November 199The 360LX featured 8 MB of RAM and a faster CPU clock speed of 60 MHz. It also shipped with Windows CE 0, offering improved performance and functionality.
Another variant of the HP 320LX was the Ericsson MC12 and MC1Ericsson re-branded the 320LX and 360LX, offering them as the MC12 and MC16 models, respectively. These devices were essentially the same as their HP counterparts but came with a cable and software combo that allowed users to use select Ericsson phones as modems.
The Hewlett Packard 320LX Palmtop PC was a revolutionary device that paved the way for modern handheld PCs. Its enhanced screen resolution, powerful software, and connectivity options made it a popular choice among professionals who needed a portable productivity tool. The upgraded versions, HP 320LX and HP 360LX, offered improved performance and expanded capabilities, further solidifying HP's position as a leader in the handheld PC market.