One embedded system for military or industry personal data assistant (PDA) is designed in the paper. The hardware and software aimed at military and industry applications are working in harsh conditions. On the demand of soldiers or workers in field, the PDA components include CPU, memory, LCD touch screen, wireless communication module, GPS, barcode laser scanner and interfaces etc. are integrated. The features of PDA have a wide working temperature range (-40 c~80 c), water-proof, impact resistance, small size, portable and low powoer consumption design. The trial production shows the PDA is suitable for the applications of soldiers or workers in the harsh environment.