@alberthrocks

I don't think we should close down this topic. We only have decied on the processor! I think we need to decide on the LCD, LCD driver,RAM, ROM, IO ports etc! Those are still undecided on, as you can see here: http://otcalc.wikidot.com/z80-hardware.

So i suggest we settle those first.

Idea suggestion closed! Discussion may continue for exact specs and such though, so continue on!

This is what I caught:
- Better keys/durability
- Backlit screen with ability to turn off the light
- If going with the 3.5 mm headphone jack, it shouldn't be advertised as a headphone jack, but sound should be supported by the OS and will be easy to put in programs.
- Preloaded with Axe and math programs
- Batteries charge when plugged into the computer (AA rechargeable ones, that is, plus a setting if battery type is unknown)
- Don't look too much like the TI-8x series (but enough for usability for students and compatibility with teachers)
- Calculus support (??) (Note: Derivatives, etc. maybe?)
- 3D graphing (??) (Note: Good idea, but that's firmware side, which a new topic will be opened up soon.)
- Touch pad vs arrow keys
- Emulators
- Battery indicator light (??) (Please clarify!)
- Cheap prices

I will be adding these to the list shortly.
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@matthias1992: No, this topic won't be closed at all. Suggestions are now closed, but we will discuss details in here, esp. after the vote to get a clear idea of exactly what the final hardware is and what we will be placing in.

As for the grayscale screen, please remember that we don't want a $50 screen. It's a third of the TI-84+ SE price! And we're trying to beat them with a cheap price. Of course, we want a good, responsive, grayscale screen, but nothing that is expensive. We're certainly not doing OLED screens (as you linked to), nor anything colored. The backlight itself is under debate as well.

For this: http://www.vishay.com/displays/lcd/
You are looking for the graphic displays, not the character based ones.

I prefer using a trustworthy website to order parts. Not that these aren't, but I like to be a little cautious as well.
That said, DigiKey and Mouser are very good suppliers. If you're hunting for LCDs,
I suggest using Mouser first. Unless you don't mind doing some serious googling (DigiKey doesn't want to show anything unless you know what you want), Mouser is good.

Mouser: http://www.mouser.com/Optoelectronics/Displays/LCD-Displays/_/N-6j735?Keyword=LCD&FS=True
DigiKey: http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Cat=524918&k=LCD

Oh, and do note the LCD controllers as well.

As for keys, one thing is that we should try to not make them hard to press, nor too easy. On the TI-Nspire 84+SE keypad, you need to press arrow keys hard enough for contact to be done. However, it would be as bad if keys were so easy to press that we accidentally pressed them all the time.

I prefer more indicators, like very high, high, medium, low, very low, critical.

How about just a battery bar?

Weren'tyou guys talking about a battery light?

As for the battery indicator light: Many devices that use batteries have some sort of light that indicates remaining power.

@Builderboy: yea, a battery bar could work fine too. That might be better actually, as it wouldn't require additional hardware.