Abstract: A computer-based hand-held translator device for use in relation to preparing a numeric message for sending from a telephone having a telephone keypad to a numeric pager and also in relation to displaying an alpha message originally received as a numeric message on a numeric pager. Keystroke entry of alpha and numeric keys create alpha mode and numeric mode messages on a display. Entry of a translator actuator on the keyboard accesses a chip that translates an alpha mode message on the display to a numeric mode message on the display and that translates a numeric mode message on the display to an alpha mode message in accordance with an algorithm loaded into the chip. At the sender side the alpha message on the display is translated into a numeric mode that is entered onto a telephone keypad targeted to a pager. At the receiver side, the numeric message is entered onto the translator device and then translated to an alpha message. A personal notebook system is optionally included in the translator device.