Handheld PCs were the first devices that used the Windows CE operating system which was released in November 1996.

The Handheld PCs look like a smaller version of Windows. With version 1.0 there was no web browser or support for cascading windows.

Screen Shots of the Handheld PC operating system:


Handheld PC 1.0


Handheld PC 2.0


Handheld PC 3.0 aka Handheld PC Professional


Handheld PC 2000

Handheld PC 1.0 used HPC Explorer 1.0 and 1.1 to synchronize with the desktop using PPP via the serial port or infrared.

Handheld PC 2.0, 3.0 used Windows CE Services as well as ActiveSync 3.x to synchronize using PPP via the serial port, infrared or network.

Handheld PC 2000 used ActiveSync 3.x to synchronize using PPP via the serial port, infrared or network.