More from the original posting... Here are examples to get the thread going... Every computer has upsides and downsides. You'd think that the major manufacturers (Saitek, Novag and Excalibur) would look carefully at the competition and produce kick-ass models in the two genres of hand held and desk top.
The Maestro chess computer from Saitek is good looking and a fairly strong engine at 1600 elo, but suffers from the huge downside of poor graphics. If they could just improve that it would dominate the market for chess computers in the hand held genre. Still it's a good model - just have to get used to the graphics. Enhanced by a bcklight (the only one that does) and contrast settings.
Onto the Novag Ruby chess computer. The ruby looks a funny colour but it's built well and has an excellent standard in terms of quality. Similar to the Maestro, it doesn't have great graphics but does have a much stronger engine than it's Saitek cousin. Whilst the Maestro has a backlight - this one doesn't - although it does have contrast settings.
The final contender for the hand held chess computer crown is the Excalibur model - the Talking Touch, so-called Deluxe. A strong engine, great software and the best graphics in the hand held market. One single downside - but a significant one - no backlight. If it had one - the other two computers reviewed here could have packed their bags and gone home, but the absence of a backlight leaves three contending. Still, with the better graphics this is probably the winner for most people if you can take the higher price tag.
Any comments?
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