On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

This object consists of 8 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Visor Deluxe

Handheld Computer
2000 (Made)
Artist/Maker
Handspring International (Maker)
Place of origin
United States (Made)

This type of personal computer is known as a 'personal digital assistant'. PDAs were marketed from the mid-1980s as organisational tools, but their greater affordability in the late-1990s and early-2000s meant they became, at the same time, fashionable accessories. The Handspring Visor was available in a range of translucent, coloured plastic cases, inside of which the complex computer technology is concealed. In this way, it is aesthetically related to the design of the Apple iMac G3 (see W.29-2008), which was more-or-less contemporary. The Visor was conceived by the designers of the PalmPilot (1997), one of the fastest-selling computer products ever.

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Object details

Categories
Plastic
Product Design
Household Objects
Personal Accessories
Object type
Handheld computer
Parts
This object consists of 8 parts.

  • Handheld Computer
  • Cradle
  • Removable Plastic Cover
  • Slipcase
  • Software
  • Printed Material
  • Packaging
  • Stylus
TitleVisor Deluxe (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Polypropylene, metals, electrical and computer components
Polypropylene
Metal
Brief description
Handspring Visor handheld computer; made in USA.
Physical description
Small, handheld computer with a touch-sensitive LCD (liquid crystal display) screen; the body is made of orange plastic.
Dimensions
  • Cradle width: 8.5cm
  • Cradle depth: 12cm (Note: cable unmeasured)
  • Cradle height: 5.5cm
  • Stylus length: 11cm
  • Stylus diameter: 0.5cm
  • Handheld computer width: 7.7cm
  • Handheld computer height: 12cm
  • Handheld computer depth: 1.8cm
Production typeMass produced
Gallery label
(2021)
Working at home, in the office, and on the move

An early handheld, portable computer, the Handspring Visor was a precursor to the smart devices we use today that enable us to work from anywhere. Its colour and clear casing were influenced by the popularity of products like the Apple iMac G3.

Handheld pocket computer
Handspring Visor Deluxe, 1999
Manufactured for Handspring International, USA
Polypropylene case and stand, electronic components and plastic-tipped metal pen
Given by the manufacturer
Museum no. W.663:1, 2, 8-2001

The object sits in the 'Automation and Labour' section of the Design 1900-Now gallery opened in June 2021.
(2015)
[Gallery 76]

6. HANDHELD COMPUTER: ‘VISOR DELUXE’
2000
Personal digital assistants, or PDAs, were marketed from the 1980s as a computerised personal organiser, suitable for business use away from the office. This one was promoted as much as a lifestyle accessory as a practical piece of equipment. Its complex technology is concealed within a bright, translucent plastic case.

USA
Manufactured by Handspring International
Plastics and metal
Given by the manufacturer
Museum no. W.663-2001
Handspring
VisorTM handheld computer

Handspring was set up in 1998 by the team responsible for the development of the PalmPilotTM, one of the fastest-selling computer products ever. Early in 2000 the Handspring team lanuched the VisorTM handheld computer, which uses the Palm operating system. Like the iMac, the VisorTM comes in a range of colourful plastics. The New York Times described it as the ultimate gadget, a kind of 'Swiss Army pocket computer'. The brand value of Handspring has been built very quickly and is set to compete with established names such as Sony, Nokia and Ericsson. The company now operates in the USA, Europe and Japan, and has an on-line retail partnership with Amazon.com.

USA, 2000. Available world wide. Lent by Handspring
Credit line
Given by the manufacturer
Summary
This type of personal computer is known as a 'personal digital assistant'. PDAs were marketed from the mid-1980s as organisational tools, but their greater affordability in the late-1990s and early-2000s meant they became, at the same time, fashionable accessories. The Handspring Visor was available in a range of translucent, coloured plastic cases, inside of which the complex computer technology is concealed. In this way, it is aesthetically related to the design of the Apple iMac G3 (see W.29-2008), which was more-or-less contemporary. The Visor was conceived by the designers of the PalmPilot (1997), one of the fastest-selling computer products ever.
Collection
Furniture and Woodwork Collection
Accession number
W.663:1 to 8-2001

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Record createdJune 18, 2001
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O59892/visor-deluxe-handheld-computer-handspring-international/
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