handheld

This term describes a specific scale of portability where the device is not just portable, but specifically sized for manual operation. It implies a level of intimacy and immediate accessibility, contrasting with larger portable equipment that might require a table or a strap. As a noun, the word functions as a shorthand for a gaming console or a mobile computer. While it is a countable noun, it is frequently used in the plural to describe a category of electronics, such as handhelds.