Newton MessagePad 130 + Leather Case
Released in 1996, the Newton MessagePad 130 was part of Apple’s pioneering line of personal digital assistants (PDAs). It featured a monochrome LCD screen with backlighting, making it easier to use in various lighting conditions. The MessagePad 130 included handwriting recognition software, allowing users to take notes, manage contacts, and schedule appointments directly on the device. Although the Newton line was eventually discontinued, the MessagePad 130 remains a significant piece of tech history, reflecting Apple’s early efforts in developing portable computing devices.
Technical Characteristics
Portable Devices
20 MHz ARM 610 RISC processor
8 MB (4 MB system RAM, 4 MB storage)
4 MB of non-volatile flash memory, PCMCIA slots for additional storage or expansion cards
4.9-inch (diagonal) monochrome LCD screen with backlighting, resolution: 320x240 pixels
Resistive touchscreen with stylus input, handwriting recognition (Newton Intelligence technology)
2 x PCMCIA Type II slots for expansion (modem, additional storage, etc.), 1 x Serial port (for connection to a Macintosh or Windows PC), Infrared (IrDA) port for wireless data transfer
Powered by 4 x AA batteries or an external AC adapter, approximate battery life: 24 hours with backlight off
Height: 208 mm (8.2 inches), width: 114 mm (4.5 inches), depth: 33 mm (1.3 inches)
510 grams (18 ounces)
Newton OS 2.0
Built-in speaker, microphone for voice notes
Calendar, notes, and contact management tools. Expandable with various third-party apps, handwriting recognition improved over earlier Newton models. Backlit display for better visibility in low-light conditions