Casio PB-1000

The Casio PB-1000, introduced in 1987, was a pioneering handheld computer and personal organizer. It was part of Casio's Pocket Computer series, which played a significant role in popularizing handheld computing devices during the 1980s and early 1990s.

1. Development and Release: Casio, known for its electronic calculators, ventured into the handheld computer market with the Pocket Computer series. The PB-1000 was released in 1987, following the success of its predecessor, the PB-700.

2. Hardware: The PB-1000 featured a sleek design with a QWERTY keyboard and a monochrome LCD screen. It was powered by a Zilog Z80 compatible microprocessor running at 2.4 MHz. The device had 4 kilobytes of RAM and 12 kilobytes of ROM for storing programs and data. It also had expansion slots for memory cards and peripherals, allowing users to expand its functionality.

3. Software and Applications: The PB-1000 came preloaded with various built-in applications, including a calculator, scheduler, address book, memo pad, and basic programming tools. Users could also write and run programs in the built-in BASIC programming language. Additionally, a variety of software cartridges were available for the PB-1000, offering additional functionality and customization options.

4. Success and Impact: The Casio PB-1000 was well-received upon its release, particularly among professionals, students, and technology enthusiasts seeking portable computing solutions. Its compact size, versatile functionality, and relatively affordable price made it a popular choice for those in need of a handheld computer and personal organizer. The success of devices like the PB-1000 helped pave the way for the widespread adoption of handheld computing devices in the years that followed.

5. Legacy: The Casio PB-1000 and other models in the Pocket Computer series are regarded as important milestones in the history of handheld computing. They demonstrated the potential for portable devices to handle tasks beyond simple calculations, laying the groundwork for the development of modern smartphones, tablets, and personal digital assistants (PDAs).

While the Casio PB-1000 may seem primitive compared to today's handheld devices, it represented a significant technological advancement at the time of its release and played a crucial role in shaping the future of portable computing.