Many different devices have scope like specifications and yet look very different. How do you categorize them?
Software Only:
PC's sound card hardware is used with software to create a scope.
http://polly.phys.msu.su/~zeld/oscill.html
or the software can read and display files or data coming into a PC via USB, Net, etc.
Hand Held Battery Operated Portable:
Plastic encased, some battery operated for field measurements. BW to 500 MHz.
Portable: "Lunchbox"
Upgrade capabilities - portable scopes now offer performance approaching bench
mainframes. Low cost, high volume, and large scale integrations. Most models run Windows and also
provide laptop functionality. Usually requires AC power but lightweight and small foot print. BW
to 2 GHz and memory up to 25 M. Some have MSO on up to 36 digital inputs.
Lab - Bench: (Note: Top 3 Lab Bench vendors offerings all run Windows but not all offer
MSO option)
Lab style, highest cost, performance, versatility, and accuracy
Real Time - usually 4 channel - BW to 30 GHz.
Sampling - typically with plug-ins - BW to 100 GHz.