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fivminwalk · Apr 13, 2004, 12:03 AM

I am thinking about buying an Apple Newton eMate 300. I have no experience with this device at all and I was wondering if anyone could give me some useful information concerning this machine. I am looking for something simple to do school work on so I do not get distracted. Is it worth the money, how much should I spend, how well does it perform, is it compatible with my new 15" iMac? Thanks in advance!

Vader�s Pinch of Death · Apr 13, 2004, 01:08 AM

For work I don't think it is worth it. It is worth just for the collecting part of it.

The problem will be getting it to work with printers.

Get a old laptop if you have to.

tooki · Apr 13, 2004, 02:21 AM

It's not compatible with any recent Mac. I am pretty sure that the connection software became incompatible long before Mac OS 9, and there is none for OS X.

tooki

maxintosh · Apr 13, 2004, 02:46 PM

I had an MP2100 for a while, there's some cool third-party (free) Newton Syncing software for OS X. The eMate is a cool machine with ridiculously good battery life. I had one several years back and really liked it. But it's not good for anything besides word processing and PIM, because the processor is sloowww.

Immortal K-Mart Employee · Apr 13, 2004, 02:49 PM

Hell, I am getting one just to put on the shelf and admire.

tooki · Apr 13, 2004, 03:15 PM

Originally posted by maxintosh:
I had an MP2100 for a while, there's some cool third-party (free) Newton Syncing software for OS X.

Oh sweet, I hadn't heard about that.

tooki

fivminwalk · Apr 13, 2004, 08:43 PM

Thanks guys... It is a cool machine. I also like the way it looks. And I understand that there are not many left. I believe the only thing that would be done on it is word-processing and other pim stuff. I think that my little brother would mainly use it for school if I went out and bought it, he has a hard time concentrating on schoolwork when he is on the computer. Does any one know where I can get one? I looked on ebay but most of them are beat up badly and missing parts like the power cord and/or the battery. What other "stuff" can it do and how would I take the data and move it to my iMac?

va3uxb · Apr 13, 2004, 08:47 PM

I have both an MP2100 and an eMate 300. The original Apple connection software Newton Connection Utility works in Classic under Panther; I just fire up Classic, pop my wavelan card in my newton, and I can backup my newton, install software, etc. wirelessly.

I don't use the eMate much, but my MP2100 is my one and only PDA, I use it daily.

p.s. there's a whole newton community out there on NewtonTalk:
www.newtontalk.net

and a comprehensive and up to date FAQ at:
http://www.chuma.org/newton/faq/

and my own small contributions at:
www.felesmagus.com/newton/

sibellc · Apr 14, 2004, 01:35 AM

There's currently a BIN auction on Ebay offering 17 brand new emates for $159 each.

Looks like a rare find.

I almost bought one back in the day, if I remember correctly the major difference between it and the MessagePad 2100 is the processor speed, 30MHz vs. 167 rings a bell, I may be mistaken.

CBS

TimmyDee51 · Apr 14, 2004, 09:25 AM

The 2x00 Newtons actually had 167 MHz StrongARM processors while the eMate had a 25 MHz StrongARM. The real benefit to the eMate vs. the other Newtons is the keyboard and the durability (remember these were built to be inexpensive portables for schools). I have an upgraded 2000 and I still think it's the best PDA available, hands down.

Tim

fivminwalk · Apr 16, 2004, 01:10 PM

Right on.. hmm it sounds like they are a little on the expensive side. I mean my Clie has a 66mhz dragonball chip and 15mgs of storage. Kinda puts that emate to shame. But that keyboard and the design are great. How upgradeable is the emate; anyone know? Thanks for all your help guys!

new newton · Apr 16, 2004, 10:22 PM

That eMate is from 1997. It's not supposed to compare to today's technology. I've got both the eMate and the 2100. They use CPUs with different architectures, so while the speed difference is very large in mhz, it's not as large in actual use.

I wouldn't call it a viable solution for what you want it to do. Your brother needs to learn concentration, and a kid can goof around on an eMate as easily as on a computer--even if it's just coloring in the whole screen.

What you need is to restrict which programs your brother has access to, and what he can do with the computer. OS X has some tools built in for that, and there are more comprehensive 3rd party solutions available.

brachiator · Apr 17, 2004, 01:26 AM

Hey, Maxintosh, what is the name of the 3d party sync solution? I've recently had my interest in a 2100 revived, and may see about buying one (If I can) soon...

thanks,
Mike

Kami · Apr 17, 2004, 02:43 AM

The emate will take ethernet cards and if you go to PCBman's website he is selling the RAM upgrades for the emate. The RAM upgrade used to be really expensive when the Newer Tech cards were the only ones available

I think the sync software is called Newten and escale when using X

fivminwalk · Apr 20, 2004, 12:40 AM

That is a good idea about restricting programs that my brother has access to. And I can easily now see my mistake in comparing two completely different generations of technology. Thanks for the great input everyone! I believe that for now I will try to limit my brother�s access to programs that cause him to stray from his homework. I might end up buying the eMate for myself!

Is there a wide verity of software I can download for the eMate?

Tomster · Apr 20, 2004, 01:05 AM

Have you considered an Alphasmart Dana?

http://www.alphasmart.com/

fivminwalk · Apr 24, 2004, 12:39 AM

Originally posted by Tomster:
Have you considered an Alphasmart Dana?

http://www.alphasmart.com/

Not for $450! WOW! thanks for the advice though!

AC Rempt · 02:34 AM

Oh man, this thread got me so fired up, I bought an eMate on eBay from the guy mentioned above. The price was $145 with free shipping and some Newer Tech RAM. Very cool.

Why? Cuz I've always loved the way the eMate looks, and $145 is a great deal.

Great resource for newbies!

fivminwalk · Apr 26, 2004, 08:06 AM

Originally posted by AC Rempt:
Oh man, this thread got me so fired up, I bought an eMate on eBay from the guy mentioned above. The price was $145 with free shipping and some Newer Tech RAM. Very cool.

Why? Cuz I've always loved the way the eMate looks, and $145 is a great deal.

Right on! It is a great little machine. Let me know what you think of its functionality when you get it. thanks

AC Rempt · Apr 27, 2004, 01:33 AM

Right now, I'm trying to get my Newt 130 to sync with Panther in prep for the eMate arrival. I am way too excited about this.

I'll keep you all informed.