Abstract: A character input device has a panel on which a character can be written by the finger or a stylus, the panel area being subdivided into three or four sensors. Pressure on each sensor, and on the central area of the panel, causes printed contact areas to engage to provide a signal. Associated electronic circuitry takes account of the sequence of signal production, including repetition of signals, to identify each character. A plurality of such panels can be arranged side-by-side. Each character written in is displayed on associated display means which may be located beneath the panel where this is transparent. Appropriate function controls are provided on the device which may be portable and connected to an associated computer, for example, by a wireless transmission.