# What is best handheld device for writing fiction? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 26, 2000, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-best-handheld-device-for-writing-fiction/20643 "2000-05-26T21:36:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2000, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-best-handheld-device-for-writing-fiction/20643/1 "2000-05-26T21:36:29Z")
Palm, or Pocket PC (which is latest verion of WinCE)? I have a Psion 5, which has a great keyboard, but it’s too large. I think I’ll have to bite the bullet and learn non-keyboard entry methods. ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2000, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-best-handheld-device-for-writing-fiction/20643/2 "2000-05-26T21:41:29Z")
For versatility, you just can’t beat the Pilot “Better Retractable.” Fine point, of course. ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2000, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-best-handheld-device-for-writing-fiction/20643/3 "2000-05-26T21:54:20Z")
Actually, the handheld device I prefer is a Uniball Vision fine point pen. But mostly I stay on the keyboard. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2000, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-best-handheld-device-for-writing-fiction/20643/4 "2000-05-27T00:38:29Z")
A standard broomstick can really get the creative juices flowing when wielded by an angry wife at the head of the stairs at the end of a long evening of drinking. Oh…you specified for _writing_ fiction. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2000, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-best-handheld-device-for-writing-fiction/20643/5 "2000-05-27T16:04:08Z")
I need help, and I get a buncha a friggin’ amateur Seinfelds… To be little more specific, I was wondering about how the word processing features compare between Palm/Visor type products and PocketPC/WinCE type devices. Do they both have spellcheckers? Do they both have a thesaurus included, or do you have to purchase one seperately? ---
**Author:** ![Jo3sh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a587f6/32.png) [@Jo3sh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jo3sh)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2000, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-best-handheld-device-for-writing-fiction/20643/6 "2000-05-28T00:56:04Z")
Rev, take it from me, keyboarding is a MUCH more efficient text-input method than ANY pen-based method I’ve seen yet. I’ve worked with both the Palm and the WinCE devices, and have found the text-entry on both so painfully tedious to use for anything longer than a short email or note that I cannot even concieve of the idea of writing a novel that way. I even turned off the sync of email to my Palm because it’s such a pain in the butt to read and reply on it. There are folding detachable keyboards for the Palm that I know of (maybe for CE, too?); if sheer bulk of the device is stopping you from being able to write somehow, you might consider one of these. They’re not much bigger than Palm when folded, but are actually a full-size set of keys when deployed. ---
**Author:** ![billehunt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c37758/32.png) [@billehunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billehunt)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2000, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-best-handheld-device-for-writing-fiction/20643/7 "2000-05-29T08:18:11Z")
I can’t speak for CE, but in the Palm, writing anything of any serious length (say over a couple of paragraphs) is a tedious chore. I love my Palm (been a user for four years), but it just ain’t for large writings. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2000, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-best-handheld-device-for-writing-fiction/20643/8 "2000-05-30T16:13:00Z")
I know you clarified your OP by asking about word processing programs, but the answer to your question is, undoubtedly, a pen. ---
**Author:** ![Eo\_Echo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ebca7d/32.png) [@Eo\_Echo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eo_Echo)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2000, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-best-handheld-device-for-writing-fiction/20643/9 "2000-05-31T04:54:12Z")
Two words: Bic biro ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2000, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-best-handheld-device-for-writing-fiction/20643/10 "2000-05-31T22:12:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\* > There are folding detachable keyboards for the Palm that I know of (maybe for CE, too?); if sheer bulk of the device is stopping you from being able to write somehow, you might consider one of these. They’re not much bigger than Palm when folded, but are actually a full-size set of keys when deployed. > \*\* My SO has one of these for her Handspring. I believe that are available for both the Palm and Handspring. When folded it is the same size as the Handspring or Palm so it will double the thickness when carried together. Unfolded it is a full size keyboard to which you attach the Palm. For the Palm you can buy one of these directly from Palm. For the Handspring (a better machine IMO) you can see it in action at [Think Outside](http://www.thinkoutside.com).