A credible PDA solution?
Written: Apr 24 '01
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: A good solid PDA that can be picked up for reasonable amounts nowadays.
Cons: O.S 1.3 version not so hot, insufficient memory shows machine limitations.
The Bottom Line: If you are looking for less feature packed PDA and you are on a budget then the 120 could fit the bill.
|
|
|
| adicarter's Full Review: Apple Newton MessagePad 120 Handheld - 2MB Memory |
The Newton MessagePad 120 was Apple's first PDA that honestly showed the potential of the Newton platform. Before this model the Newton had taken a great deal of flack for being a product that was "not quite ready for prime time". The handwriting recognition was quirky and the software itself was buggy making the entire experience somewhat less than satisfactory.
The 120 made for a marked improvement but there was still a fair way to go before they would get it just right.
One of the most important things to note about the 120 is the fact that it comes in two flavours. Originally released with OS 1.3 Apple implemented a series of changes to the Newton range at around this time which enabled users to send their machines away for an internal ROM upgrade to the much improved OS 2.0.
The difference between these operating systems was a marked one. If you find yourself with a version 2.0 machine you will benefit from it's greatly improved features and additional software compatibility with some of the later software packages for the machine.
The 120 comes with the first of Apple's restyled cases making the machine attractive to look at. As with most of the Newton range input is primarily via the supplied stylus allowing the user to input text and draw images on the non backlit screen.
Although bigger than today's Palm Pilot machines one benefit the Newton holds over the majority of these machines is the fact that you can write and draw on most of the screen area as opposed to a small text input box.
Handwriting recognition is by no means as bad as people have often made out, although you have to remember this model runs on a 20Mhz StrongARM processor which can make converting your handwriting something of a sluggish process. Settings can be customised to some extent so the 120 will after a fashion adhere to your writing styles and a little bit of practice does make the machine pretty effective in getting things done.
In terms of hardware the 120 comes with a single PCMCIA slot which supports a host of modem cards as well as Flash memory for storing additional software packages. If you are thinking of buying any Newton then a Flash card is a must. There is a wealth of packages out there and you can quickly eat up the Newton's internal memory with some of the larger ones out there.
As well as PCMCIA there is also an iRDA port on the machine but be wary, this port adheres to the old Sharp ASK protocol as opposed to some of the more modern iRDA standards. As a result the Newton will talk to other Newtons and potentially a number of early equipped printers but don't expect to be able to "point and beam" at any infra red equipped device, it's not going to work.
The machine runs on AA batteries, there is an optional charger stand for the machine and a mains adapter as well. One plus point of the 120 is an impressive battery life (one set can last a couple of weeks under normal use), if you use a modem with the machine however expect to knock that kind of performance down straight away, no PDA likes working with a power hungry modem when it's away from the mains socket.
In terms of software both 1.3 versions offer the standard fare that comes with most PDA's. A capable notepad and date book are adequate for organising your schedules with a customisable alarm feature.
Users of version 2.0 will find a wealth of software (free and shareware) for their machine. Some packages designed for later machines may not work 100% but you will pleasantly surprised how much you will get away.
If you are using a 1.3 version beware, this OS is not compatible with the later software packages that run under version 2.0. That's not to say there isn't any software available for this machine but you will probably find that 2.0 is the better supported operating system.
Desktop synchronisation and backing up have always been something of a bug bear for the Newton platform. At best described as adequate, you can get your data in and out of the Newton and to your desktop machine without any real hassle. However the Palm Pilot and it's Hotsync synchronisation will always be a much more seamless implementation of synchronising with your desktop.
The machine does boast fax and internet facilities, however this really was the Newton''s first attempt at getting their machine's truly internet ready.
As a result the 120's internal 2Mb of RAM proves to be woefully inadequate leading to frequent crashes as the machine struggles to keep it's self going while you are putting it under a pretty task intensive load.
Even the act of getting email could sometimes be one that was fraught with trouble. Apple addressed the memory issues with the later Newton models but alas that doesn't help the 120.
In my opinion it's often best to stay away from the net with one of these machines, it's not quite up to the task.
In general my opinion of the 120 is the following, if you stick to using it as a plain vanilla PDA with a few extra software packages installed you should find the experience plain sailing. However once you start pushing the machine a little harder it will turn round and bite you.
You have to remember this is a machine from the mid 90's, look at it in terms of what was available then and it's a pretty impressive piece of kit. However in terms of today's market, the venerable 120 does show a host of weaknesses the later 2000/2100 still manage to hold off.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 50
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
adicarter
|
|
Member: Adrian Carter
Location: Sheffield, UK
Reviews written: 101
Trusted by: 15 members
About Me:
A lifelong fan of anything electronic. If it goes beep, let me see it first!
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.