LF: Handheld PDA-like device to display stock charts

[SWIT]

WANTED:

While having breakfast at an outdoor patio and reading the Globe's
business section I had a sudden need for something with which I could display a quick
stock chart in colour.

Background: I have a laptop that I do much of my
stock market related work on, but I'd like a hand-held unit
that I can display stock charts on. This implies a small LCD colour screen large
enough to see at least one year's worth of stock data (in a chart) IN COLOUR.
It is OK with me if I have to turn it onto its side to see the chart in landscape rather
than portrait mode.

I'd like to have this for the times when I'm away from the laptop and looking at
financial data (such as reading the newspaper or watching a business TV channel like CNBC/ROBTV).
At such times I'd like to be able to quickly punch in a stock symbol and get a readout
(chart and some text) on a stock IN ORDER TO GET A FAST OVERVIEW!!!!!!!!!
More in depth research could then LATER be undertaken on the laptop.


Hardware:
- does NOT need to be new or current - if it's many years old but does the job, that's great
- Hand-held unit (roughly 4 inches wide by 6 inches long) (thickness doesn't matter much),
but physical size does. I don't care about shirt pocket size. Also, I'm over 50,
and that means my eyes are too. Tiny screens are too tiny!!!
- no printer necessary or wanted
- Note that size is LESS important than the capability to display charts quickly.
- This means some kind of operating system along with a programming language (Linux??)
- as many ports as possible (USB 2.0 would be nice)
- lots of connectivity options (Bluetooth, etc.) would be nice
- external flash memory cards (likely SD) would be nice
- far-out nice to have features: - voice recorder, MP3 player (I'm not interested in video clips)
- don't want, don't care about:
- rechargeable battery
- Internet access or email or browser, etc.

Software:
- I don't care about how many doodads it runs SO LONG AS I can display charts.
If this means writing my own software to do so that's OK. (I have a software background.)
I'm far less interested in finding/buying third party software packages than in
being able to roll my own.

Cost:
Would prefer under $1,000, but willing to go higher for the right unit.

The deal breaker:
- if it can't display stock charts IN COLOUR, I don't care if it speaks Urdu
and does dishes!!


I've seen:
- Palm Lifedrive (320x480) = too small
- Palm Z22 = really, really too small
- Palm Tungsten = too small
- Palm TX (320 x 480) = too small

- Zaurus (various models) by Sharp <- considering this


I'd prefer something with at least a display of 640 x 480.


Comments welcome.

[Menthol]

You should take a look at Dell X51V, it has CF and SD slots Bluetooth, Wi-FI, no usb but there are optional serial connectors available, it runs windows mobile, you can switch from landscape to portrait at the touch of a button. I have the Axim X50V

http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/...X51624_RBP_DHS

Get more info and help here

www.aximsite.com Check out the forums.

Someone is also selling one here

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/s...d.php?t=325706

[weesur]

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...6730&CatId=219
This is a tablet pc for $510 and its about the size of a letter size paper (may be too big for you but just giving a comment)

[Constellation]

The closest would probably be a Jornada 728 running Linux. But it might not be enough for your needs.

[Candiana]

Not sure if u need this right away. but maybe hold out for a umpc http://umpc.com/ they're between laptop and pda