Esoteric Devices Wiki

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====== Handheld Barcode Scanners ======

Essentially, this device is one used by supermarkets, warehouses, etc. for the purpose of scanning and cataloging devices for inventory purposes. In the past, these were x86 based devices that ran some variant of DOS or Windows. Over time, they evolved to be MIPS, ARM, and RISC based, running some sort of Windows CE or Linux. Nowadays, barcode scanners frequently run Android and are ARM based, with others retaining a variant of Windows on unknown architectures.

===== LXE unknown =====

==== Other ====

=== Doom ===

>a 486 embedded with CGA compatible graphics! Except it only shows the top-left portion.

Model specifics of this device aren't covered, but this little 8086 based scanner thing is essentially a mini PC. With a bit of twiddling, it is possible to run Doom on it just like any usual DOS-based device.

https://old.reddit.com/r/itrunsdoom/comments/s46vnx/doom_on_an_price_scanner_90_vanilla/

https://web.archive.org/web/20220114193818/https://twitter.com/GalacticFurball/status/1482073273198206977
===== Motorola MC9090 =====

==== Operating Systems (ARM/MIPS?) ====

=== Stock Windows CE (+Doom) ===

>I had to put Chocolate Doom on the AppCenter launch page

Really, this just involves using Windows MDC (a CE interfacing program) to install these apps. Theoretically, one could install a large variety of apps available for Windows CE, opening this scanner up to further functions than it's original design intended.

https://old.reddit.com/r/itrunsdoom/comments/98vvp7/my_coworker_got_doom_2_running_on_a_motorola/



===== Symbol brand =====

==== Operating Systems (ARM/MIPS?) ====

=== Windows Embedded 7 ===

The typical setup that runs on these newer ones. Presumably, a multitude of Windows CE/Embedded programs are able to run on these without too much difficulty.

https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinteresting/comments/f36eja/this_tiny_windows_a_coworker_had_today/