Which hardware for handwriting input?

[xxl_male]

I had a look at some Chinese enabled hand-held computers in Hong-Kong but they seemed expensive and didn't even come with an English interface. My usage would be writing unknown Chinese characters by hand on the screen for the installed dictionary to translate or explain. So good handwriting input and recognition is my main criteria. I'm not interesting in cell-phone functions etc. Could someone recommend a device could buy now? Preferably one running Windows as it seems to be the software of the future for such devices. I understand I would have to download a Chinse language dictionary (like Pleco) once I have the hardware.

[flameproof]

I understand I would have to download a Chinse language dictionary (like Pleco) once I have the hardware.

Pleco has hand writing input included. And it works great! Pleco is all you need. Works on Windows Mobile.

Ok, it's at US$100 not dirt cheap, but when I look back it's probably the best investment I ever did.

[Danmairen]

If you want to use Windows Mobile, Pleco is the only option.

I use the iPhone, which is a really nice device for this, it supports chinese no matter where in the world you buy it, both pinyin and hanwritiing input, and you can have both English(or whatever language you prefer) and Chinese keyboard at the same time and swich between them with a touch of a button.

You can either install a dictionary, only apple software from iTunes store though:roll:

Or just go online and use your favourite dictionary.

mdbg.net has made a free application, so you don't have to open a browser window every time you want to check something.

A bad thing is that you have to have a phoneservice that allows you to go online cheap or som sort of flatrate subscribtion, when there is no wireless acces.

A good thing is that it looks so much better than your average Windows Mobile device:lol:

Rune/儒内

[xxl_male]

"If you want to use Windows Mobile, Pleco is the only option."

But Pleco is a software isn't it? It's not like I can order "a Pleco" like I would order an iPhone, or is it? I'm really new to this kind of device so my questions may sound naive.

[Danmairen]

Yep, it's a piece of software you buy and install on any windows mobile device, so if your budget is limmited I guess you could buy the cheapest Windows mobile PDA and use, I've never used it though.

I refuse to recognize that Mr.Gates are taking over the mobile market as well:wink:

[Meng Lelan]

I use the iPhone, which is a really nice device for this, it supports chinese no matter where in the world you buy it, both pinyin and hanwritiing input, and you can have both English(or whatever language you prefer) and Chinese keyboard at the same time and swich between them with a touch of a button.

The iPhone supports Chinese?? I didn't know that. So you can read and send texts in Chinese? But don't you have to buy/download/get software to do that on the iPhone? I've never seen an iPhone except for newspaper ads, so I wouldn't know...

[imron]

Yes, the iPhone has Chinese support, including the interface and input methods. You only have to download and install software for versions of the firmware earlier than 2.0. From 2.0 onwards it's all built into the phone. The handwriting recognition that comes with version 2.0 onwards is excellent. You might have a problem sending/receiving Chinese texts on American phone networks (I recall reading somewhere that they have issues with this), but this is a limitation with the network, not with the phone. The iPhones themselves have no problems sending/receiving Chinese text messages.

[Meng Lelan]

Oh...ah...so the networks themselves are really the problem? I'm in the US unfortunately. And I'm subscribing to AT&T Mobility. I guess AT&T Mobility likes to immobilize Chinese text messages, am I correct?

[roddy]

OP is not interested in cell phone functions.

Assuming you want Pleco (and are therefore not looking at dedicated electronic dictionaries) and only Pleco (therefore other aspects like emailing, task management, GPS can be ignored, and we don't need to worry about OS as I don't think there are any Palm/WM differences with Pleco 2) then I'd recommend the TX - somewhat old, but has a nice screen for the Chinese fonts and Palm beats WM for usability hands down. I used a TX for years very happily, only reason I stopped was to switch to a smart phone and I still miss the big screen sometimes. With WM devices there are more options - look for larger / higher resolution screens, I would say.

Trouble with buying a PDA just for Pleco is that nowadays you'll inevitably end up with wireless and bluetooth functions you don't need, and possibly too much processor power too.

[flameproof]

If you want to use Windows Mobile, Pleco is the only option.

That is not correct. You can get A4 for free which gives you Pinyin and Wubi input for English WM: http://www.a4user.com/A4_down_sip.asp

And more freebees:

For displaying:

http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.ph ... ge_Chinese

sunfon.ac3 ships with Windows mobile 6 chinese

MS input:

http://blog.g4team.com/?p=64

HanWang input:

http://www.hwpen.net/

Plum input:

http://www.dayhand.com/input.htm

There is freeware on the market, but it really can't match Pleco in functionality.

[woliveri]

I just bought one of these on my last trip to China then found it's available in the states for cheaper than I bargined for in China:

Wacom Bamboo Tablet

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4164

Works great!!