[midwinter]

Hi all.

I'm thinking about picking up a Newton from eBay. As I understand it (from read the various fora), the 2100 is the most desirable and the 130 is the "entry level" model.

There's *no* way I can afford the 2100.

I've had a Palm before, and I sold it because it was never designed for what I wanted to use it for, which was to take notes while I read. That is, really, all I want out of a PDA—a digital notepad I can sync up with my desktop/laptop.

So I've got a few questions:

1) How good is the handwriting recognition on the 130? Will I see significant improvements if I were to get another model (barring the 2000/2100)?
2) How would I go about syncing up a Newton with my iMac/iBook? I've read about ethernet adapters/pcmcia cards but am not sure I recall the models they work with.
3) How slow would something like a 130 be? How slow is the handwriting recognition?
4) What else (other than take notes) will something like a 130 be able to do?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers
Scott

Originally posted by midwinter:
<STRONG>Hi all.

I'm thinking about picking up a Newton from eBay. As I understand it (from read the various fora), the 2100 is the most desirable and the 130 is the "entry level" model.

There's *no* way I can afford the 2100.

I've had a Palm before, and I sold it because it was never designed for what I wanted to use it for, which was to take notes while I read. That is, really, all I want out of a PDA—a digital notepad I can sync up with my desktop/laptop.

So I've got a few questions:

1) How good is the handwriting recognition on the 130? Will I see significant improvements if I were to get another model (barring the 2000/2100)?
2) How would I go about syncing up a Newton with my iMac/iBook? I've read about ethernet adapters/pcmcia cards but am not sure I recall the models they work with.
3) How slow would something like a 130 be? How slow is the handwriting recognition?
4) What else (other than take notes) will something like a 130 be able to do?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers
Scott</STRONG>

Actually, the entry model is an Original Message Pad (OMP), model number H1000.
I recently picked one up for €54 (about $50).

I find the handwriting recognition accurate and fast enough for my needs, though I don't know how it compares to a 2100.

The way I see it, the main advantage of a 2000/2100 over the older models is that you can connect to them via Ethernet. The older models require a serial to USB adaptor and drivers. I haven't connected mine yet, as it seems fairly complicated to get working drivers. There's lots of info at http://www.chuma.org/newton/faq/

Apart from taking notes, the OMP can manage your appointments, store addresses, convert units and currencies, and calculate loan payments. It also has a world map with time zones and distances between major cities.

Unlike the OMP/100/120, the 130 has backlighting. Then again, I'm not sure how many years that's been known to last, and getting it fixed costs more than the entire device.

[wingdo]

Originally posted by midwinter:
<STRONG>Hi all.

I'm thinking about picking up a Newton from eBay. As I understand it (from read the various fora), the 2100 is the most desirable and the 130 is the "entry level" model.

There's *no* way I can afford the 2100.

</STRONG>

I am of course unaware of your financial situation, but 2100s and upgraded 2000s have been going for around $129-$139 over on eBay lately. This usually includes case, small memory card, power adapter and battery pack.

I have just picked up a second 2100 as a spare.

[midwinter]

Originally posted by wingdo:
<STRONG>

I am of course unaware of your financial situation, but 2100s and upgraded 2000s have been going for around $129-$139 over on eBay lately. This usually includes case, small memory card, power adapter and battery pack.

I have just picked up a second 2100 as a spare. </STRONG>

Are you kidding? Last I looked they were still going for $500! If they're that cheap, I'll just pick up a 2100...unless you want to sell your spare...

Cheers
Scott

[torifile]

I've had both the 130 and the 2100. While they were both technically capable of about the same things (e.g, having the same HWR engine, roughly the same OS), the 2100 is WORLDS better than the 130. The 130 I used as a datebook and some minor notetaking. It was just too slow for anything. While the HWR was superb, it was not perfect, so the speed was a problem. I'd write something and have to wait a while before being able to see if it got it right. If you're taking notes in class or on the phone, that's a real problem.

The 2100, OTOH, is a complete system. I love it, love it, love it. The HWR, like I said before, is about the same as the 130, but it's just so much faster that it's usable. I can right on it nearly as fast as I can write by hand (I'm not exaggerating) and it does a great job of recognizing my terrible handwriting. I've made books out of articles I'm supposed to read using Newton Press. Basically, I've been able to remove my PIM duties from my computer and place the on the Newt. And the 2100 is fast enough that I don't feel like I'm sacrificing just to use some cool technology. That and the fact that the 2100 can do ethernet, talk over Ir with Palm OS devices and has 4 times the ram, I'd say go for the 2100.

I got mine on eBay last month for $150!! It seems that there are alot of them out there for pretty cheap right now. The auctioneer was mr2ndhand. I highly recommend him; great packing, prompt shipping and good price. The ones you're seeing probably have all kinds of goodies like big flash ram cards, cases, keyboards, donngles and whatnot. Don't get any of that. Just get the plain ol' newt and you'll be happy as a bug in a rug. Trust me.