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Mac Systems: Apple: Newton MessagePad/eMate (NewtonOS)

The Newton MessagePad/eMate series was sold from August 1993 to February 1998. Although technically not a 'Mac', as the Newton MessagePad operates the NewtonOS, the series consists of some of the earliest handheld computers that attempt to recognize natural handwriting. The line was initially poorly received as the handwriting recognition was less-than-perfect, but became much better with the combination of NewtonOS 2.0 and the massively increased speed of the MessagePad 2000.

Because of Apple's financial problems in late 1997, then-CEO Gil Amelio made an attempt to sell the Newton technology to a third-party, and after failing to do so, decided to spin off the Newton division as a separate company. When Steve Jobs became CEO shortly thereafter, he pulled the newly-founded Newton, Inc. back into the parent company, only to dissolve the group altogether as a cost-cutting measure a few weeks later.

In the years since the Newton was discontinued, a rumor persisted that Apple would release a new Newton or a MacOS-based handheld. In 2007, Apple released the iPhone, which is based on "OS X".




Apple Computer

Processor

Newton MessagePad (OMP)

20 MHz ARM 610

Newton MessagePad 100

20 MHz ARM 610

Newton MessagePad 110

20 MHz ARM 610

Newton MessagePad 120

20 MHz ARM 610

Newton MessagePad 130

20 MHz ARM 610

Newton MessagePad 2000

162 MHz StrongARM 110

Newton MessagePad 2100

162 MHz StrongARM 110

Newton eMate 300

25 MHz ARM 710a



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