PADD
"PADD" is an acronym for Personal Access Display Device, a hand-held computer interface, used as early as the 22nd century and well into the 24th century.
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General Specifications
Consisting of a large touchscreen display and minimalistic manual interface or control panel (generally only one or two buttons), the typical PADD is used for a variety of functions including logging manifests, compiling duty rosters or diagnostic reports, entering personal data, and/or accessing library computer systems.
Varying in size, shape and specification, PADDs are often distinguished by the species of their manufacturer or user.
Star Fleet
In use in Star Fleet since the 22nd century, these PADDs have always been rectangular in shape. Dominated by a large display screen, the Star Fleet PADD has evolved from being controlled by touch interface buttons, to using a stylus, to the current form of touch sensitive screens. They come in a variety of colours, from gray and muted blue, to reds, to even being translucent.
PADDs are lightweight and surprisingly durable. The screen can however be shattered with enough force, and the resulting shards are sharp enough to cut Human skin.
Star Fleet PADDs are powered by sarium krellide power cells, and have an outer casing of boronite whisker epoxy, which would allow the PADD to sustain a 35-meter drop without damage.
Andorian Imperial Guard
Roughly the same size as their Earth Star Fleet counterparts, PADDs used by officers in the service of the Andorian Imperial Guard were rectangular in shape, highlighted by several square-shaped pieces at the sides and top which itself was rounded.
Unlike the Star Fleet version, no obvious buttons or control panels were visible on the device, suggesting that the large, center-mounted display screen was touch-sensitive.
Bajoran Militia
In use during the 24th century aboard Bajoran spacecraft and stations, Bajoran PADDs were small, roughly oval-shaped devices, nearly the same size as (though slimmer than) the small Federation PADD variant.
Capable of the same general function as their alien counterparts, Bajoran PADDs could be used to download information from primary computer sources, including text documents as large as novels. They were also able to display information in Bajoran as well as other languages.
Cardassian Union
Used by both civilians and military personnel, the typical PADD used throughout the Cardassian Union.
Consisting of a brown and gold-colored unit, the Cardassian PADD was angular and irregularly shaped, featuring an oval-shaped display screen and a number of trapezoidal and irregularly shaped buttons.
The Cardassian PADD was capable of a variety of functions, from displaying visual recordings to operating door mechanisms.
Ferengi Alliance
A mainstay in business dealings involving Ferengi in and outside of the Ferengi Alliance, Ferengi PADDs were often elongated-hexagonally-shaped units. Muted gold in color, these PADDs featured a number of button controls and a hexagon-shaped viewscreen often displaying the familiar circular Ferengi interface layout.
Capable of cataloging inventory, inputting vouchers, or drawing up business plans, Ferengi PADDs were most often geared toward business and profit. Chief amongst their capabilities was currency transfer, allowing transactions to take place with simple thumb print verification. These PADDs were utilized by Ferengi Commerce Authority liquidators and could be found at the Tower of Commerce on Ferenginar, as well as aboard Ferengi vessels.
Other Ferengi PADD variants included a flat, black and green device with an angular display screen. This PADD variant could be used to view auction catalogs.
Klingon Empire
At least two models of data PADDs were used by warriors in the service of the Klingon Defense Force during the 24th century.
Both harshly angular compared to their Federation counterparts, Klingon PADDs came in hand-held and larger, landscape-style varieties. Both displaying information in Klingonese, these PADDs could be found in the chambers of the Klingon High Council on Qo'noS as well as aboard Klingon vessels.
The smaller model was dark green in color and featured several button controls running up the center of the device to a rectangular-shaped display screen capable of recorded-video playback. The larger model was brown and was held horizontally with a handle attached to the left of an angular, touch screen display.
Vulcan
In service as early as the 22nd century, Vulcan PADDs came in a variety of builds and sizes, from angular to oval-shaped devices.
