[mbperk]

I was thinking about getting a Newton 2100. But I have some concerns. How would I sync the newton with my new iBook b/c it seems you have to have a serial port. And the new iBook does not
have one.

How hard is it to get a keyboard for the newton? What kind on PC Card could I use with it. i.e. 56K modem, ethernet.

How good is the date book, and address book on the newton? Can you set alarms? Can you beam data to other users?

Can you sync it with the palm desktop? and is it compatible with OS X? If not will it ever be?
Sorry for all the ?'s I just want to get enough info before I take the dive.

[ 07-22-2001: Message edited by: mbperk ]

[itomato]

Here's a link to the Newton FAQ: http://members.aol.com/thisolnewt/FAQ/

How would I sync the newton with my new iBook b/c it seems you have to have a serial port. And the new iBook does not
have one.

I have serial ports, but I think most people use the Keyspan serial adapter

How hard is it to get a keyboard for the newton? What kind on PC Card could I use with it. i.e. 56K modem, ethernet.

Keyboards are pretty easy to get. I bought one at AllMac.com for $39.95 brand new. A list of compatible modems can be found here, and the only NIC card compatibilty list I've seen is here.

How good is the date book, and address book on the newton? Can you set alarms? Can you beam data to other users?

It works for me, yes, and yes. Even use your newt to control a few specific TVs and VCRs!

Can you sync it with the palm desktop? and is it compatible with OS X? If not will it ever be?

I haven't tried personally, but I hear that it is somewhat compatible. A few people are working on an OS X solution, I think, but as yet there are no funtional programs that I know of. There are UNIX solutions, though I don't know how well they work with OS X.

If you can afford a Newton 2100 with a decent memory card and a keyboard, I think you'll be very pleased with what it can do. If it doesn't do it for you, chances are that you'll be able to get back every penny you paid for it. I have a 130, and it's better for me than any other non-newton PDA out there. The handwriting recognition makes all the difference in the world as far as usability goes. Check out http://www.chuma.org/newton/ http://planetnewton.com/ and the Newton mailing list at http://newtontalk.net/ for more info.

[Skywalkers new Hand]

Originally posted by mbperk:
<STRONG>I was thinking about getting a Newton 2100.
</STRONG>

Can I ask why you are looking at a Newton and not the current Palms/Handsprings?

[sine -''-..-]

perhaps i could answer that question...

because palm sucks a$$.

from the beginning palm was just a dumbed down version of the newton. its features are weak, its life is much to short, and its only redeeming attrubute is that they are small in size, which in fact for me would be a negitive, as a properly functioning computer needs a decent amount of screen real estate.

newton is the best handheld platform and is getting better with the work of great devs like paul guyot. i'll be holding onto my green machine for a long time...

[mbperk]

itomato....thanks so much for all the information. Well I lost out on the 2100 I wanted. It was in great condition. I am sure there will be more that come along. Is there much difference between the 2000 v. 2100??The others that are up there now are in ok shape. I really want a 2100 model. Skywalker....I actually have a m505, and I think the screen is to small. It has some nice apps. But I really like the form factor of the Newton, and after all it is an Apple.

[itomato]

Originally posted by mbperk:
<STRONG>itomato....thanks so much for all the information. Well I lost out on the 2100 I wanted. It was in great condition. I am sure there will be more that come along. Is there much difference between the 2000 v. 2100??The others that are up there now are in ok shape. I really want a 2100 model. Skywalker....I actually have a m505, and I think the screen is to small. It has some nice apps. But I really like the form factor of the Newton, and after all it is an Apple.</STRONG>

There is a MacNN'er that was selling a 2100 that sounds like it is in excellent condition. She may still have it. I was going to buy it, but I have to move this month. Check this out: http://forums.macnn.com/cgi-bin/ulti...6&amp;t=001700

[mbperk]

itomato you are the man...or er woman. Thanks so much for your help. I just send an email off to thatperson, and replied to the post as well.

Is there a big difference between the 2100 and the 2000 model besides the memory? I noticed that the sw that comes with the 2000 is on floppy and the 2100 comes on cd.

[itomato]

Originally posted by mbperk:
<STRONG>itomato you are the man...or er woman. Thanks so much for your help. I just send an email off to thatperson, and replied to the post as well.

Is there a big difference between the 2100 and the 2000 model besides the memory? I noticed that the sw that comes with the 2000 is on floppy and the 2100 comes on cd.</STRONG>

Dunno off the top of my head.. I think it's basically that the 2000 has 4MB internal flash, while the 2100 has 8. The differences and similarities should be in the FAQ, or in the mailing list archives, or both. You can get the service manuals for both from Apple here: ftp://ftp.info.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/Misc/Service/servicemanuals/messagepad_2000.2100.pdf It has all the vital info.

[Disgruntled Head of C-3PO]

Originally posted by sine -''-..-:
<STRONG>perhaps i could answer that question...

because palm sucks a$$</STRONG>

I guess that is why they are the best selling handheld (even against MS) and the Newton didn't sell and was canned.

Thanks for clearing that one up.

[TimmyDee51]

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
<STRONG>

I guess that is why they are the best selling handheld (even against MS) and the Newton didn't sell and was canned.

Thanks for clearing that one up.</STRONG>

You obviously haven't a clue about the first thing on Newtons. When the Newton was axed, it was profitable and selling quite well. Why is Palm selling so well if it's an inferior product? Do you ever wonder why most people use Windoze? My guess is that the answer is similar for both of those question: people settle for mediocrity. I, for one, will not. My upgraded 2000 will continue to kick the pants off any other PDA out there because it has a superior design, superior OS, and superior community.

mbperk, the 2000 has something just shy of 1 MB RAM (user RAM like a desktop) and 4 MB FlashRAM for storage. The 2100 (and any upgraded 2000) has 4 MB RAM and 4 MB FlashRAM. This allows it to run more programs at once and often comes in handy when surfing the web. If you don't plan on this, its not a big deal. Plus you can buy a 2000 and have Dr. Newton upgrade it for you.

[TimmyDee51]

Oh, yeah, Head of C3PO, you might want to check out these links if you think you have it so freakin' figured out.
http://www-plateau.cs.berkeley.edu/r...142/clong.html and http://www.geocities.com/newtonium62/musings.html

[Disgruntled Head of C-3PO]

Originally posted by TimmyDee51:
<STRONG>

You obviously haven't a clue about the first thing on Newtons.</STRONG>

I own 3 Newtons, The original, the 130 and the 2000. I have read just about every book on the planet about the Newton and the OS.

That does not change the fact that it was BIG, expensive and as the years went on it got BIGGER and more expensive.

People do NOT buy a product because it can do more and has a better interface. Why do you think people still prefer Palm over Windows CE? Windows does more, it has a cool interface, better hardware.

I am sure you know the answer.

[sine -''-..-]

why are u lookin for a fight. go argue with some punk about how mac is better then pc, it would be a very similar conflict.

you may not get why we perfer newton, but we do.


referring back to the 2100 vs 2000 thing, the difference is only in the amount of dram. the 2000 i think has 1 meg, the 2100 has 4. its a rather important difference, its like the ram in a normal computer, like a machine with 256meg ram vs. one with 64. go for a 2100 or upgraded 2000, its worth the extra.

...somebody needs to read a little more... Steve Job's email.

...not only has the Palm been the best selling PDA, but now Palm is bleeding, they can't give some of it away. Let's see if Palms are still used in the next four years.

...also try www.smaller.com, check the talk discussions section for Newton, there's a thread about "links!links!links!", lots of links for/about the Newton.

[WL2100]

BTW, three reasons why I use my Newton.

1. It does everything I need to do for business and personal(color would be nice but not necessary).

2. It fits my palm, I have a few carrying cases that work just fine.

3. It's a stand-alone computer, I don't need a desktop/laptop except for unzipping and unstuffing Newton .pkgs. Example, on a four hour flight the batts. ran out... ...well, I just put in fresh batts. and reset. Everything is still there, nothing lost even when I don't have fresh batts. my info./pkgs. will still be there years after the batts. give out. I didn't have to wait to restore from a backup that *should* be recent. :o ...the better equipment wins!!!

...after something better than the Palm comes out, the Palm will be re-named door-stops...more than they are now.

[jock]

I have a Newton 2000 (and had a 110,130) and my friend has a 2100, the main difference apart from the Newton Logo on the 2100 is memory. If you want to surf the web get a 2100 or an upgraded 2000, if not just freeze the apps to conserve heap and you'll be fine. There are excellent web sites as posted before planet newton, newton talk etc.
Why do I use my 2000 and not a palm, because size counts... :-)