Tiqit Computers (Redwood City, CA) will demonstrate pre-production models of its 'eightythree' handheld PC May 14-16 at the Planet PDA technology show in Boston. The company claims that the eightythree is the first handheld PC capable of running any desktop operating system, including Windows XP and Linux. The device, which was first shown publicly at CeBIT 2002 in Hannover, Germany last March, is expected to be available for purchase by the end of this year at a price comparable to a laptop computer.

The device, which has a PC compatible hardware/software architecture, does not require special software resultling in “a much larger and more powerful range of application software than any other handheld in existence,” according to Tiqit.

The eightythree's CPU is the National Semiconductor Geode SC2200 system-on-a-chip (SoC) at 300 MHz, coupled with 256MB of RAM and a 10GB hard drive. The display is a 4-inch high-resolution color TFT screen.

The device weighs 19 oz. and measures 5.9 x 4 x 1.1 in. For input, the eightythree has a 'thumb keyboard', a 'touchstick mouse' with left and right mouse buttons, and a touchscreen with natural handwriting recognition. A high-density lithium-ion battery is said to allow more than four hours of constant use.

The eightythree also provides several standard interfaces for connectivity and expansion, including: a PCMCIA slot (for wireless networking), a Secure Digital (SD) slot, a USB connector, stereo headphones, and mono earbud with microphone. In addition, a proprietary multi-function expansion port allows connection to a variety of external devices via customizable adapters, including: high-resolution video output for driving digital projectors or external monitors, RS232-serial, an additional USB port, and stereo line in and line out.

Tiqit is demonstrating the eightythree at several locations around the US in the coming months. Details are available on the company's website.

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