I have this wonderful little device, that I think has been discussed in 
this newsgroup on other occasions, called a Zaurus. It has a few 
redundant characteristics, but its main feature, and the only one I use 
it for these days, is its ability to function as a dictionary.

Among electronic dictionaries, it seems to be unique, because of its 
"pencil" feature; there's a little screen where you can draw a kanji, 
and it will recognise it (assuming you draw it properly) and tell you 
what it means, how to pronounce it, common collocations, etc.. This is a 
godsend compared with identifying the radical or counting the number of 
strokes and combing through a long list to find the right kanji.

The trouble is, I've had mine for ten years now, and it's showing signs 
of coming to the end of its tether. I think I should get a new one, but 
when I take a look at what's available these days, I find the feature of 
being able to handwrite kanji is either missing, or buried beneath a 
welter of features I don't want and don't really want to have to pay for.

Is there a basic version left on the market, that just functions as a 
dictionary, with a handwriting feature? Or have they thrown the baby out 
with the bathwater, or drowned the little mite, or whatever?

John
http://rarebooksinjapan.com