Anyway, I have had a Newton MP 110 for about a month now and love
it. I bought the Newton because of the great amount of vendor
software available, it functionally (build in software), speed,
and Apple's PROVEN COMMITMENT TO PDAs (The MP 120 is the forth,
and the MP 130 will be out by years end). It is about 2 to 4
times faster than the Zoomer (no I don't have a common
benchmark - my guess). I had Graffiti on my Zoomer (an absolute
necessity). I also have it on my MP 110, but rarely use it.
While the handwriting recognition is no better than 60% using
cursive, it is around 95% for printing when configured correctly.
The MP 120 is even better I'm told. I'm not a neat writer.
Individual results may vary. It still has a few small "bugs,"
but not to the extent as the Zoomer. I find the Newton screen
marginally better. The pen is MUCH better and it stays put when
stored.
On the minus side, the battery life is not as good. A set of
batteries lasted about four weeks in a Zoomer. In the MP 110 I
get about two weeks. It (the Newton) is a little larger and
heaver - don't expect to get it in your pocket. It did cost
more. With the last of the Zoomers selling for $99 new, my
Newton MP 110 cost me $150 used via the Internet. I bought a 2
Meg Flash card for $75, and the Newton Connection Kit 2.0 (NCK)
for $30 - all via the Newton newsgroup. Most available shareware
has an Apple platform slant. That is, Bithex is used rather than
uuencode and stuffit is used rather than zip. However, you can
use both on a PC platform - just takes a little relearning.
Today, I sold my Zommer locally for $150 - Zommer, 2.5 Meg Flash
RAM, and Plamconnect.
On the Newton newsgroup most people are asking $200-$300 for MP
110s, but usually receiving $150-$200. For Newton 100s most
people are asking between $100-$200 and receiving $100 - $150.
The Newton 100s are also good machines. If you buy one, get one
with OS 1.3 (all MP 110s have OS 1.3). Most MP 120s (which
retail for $599, I believe) have OS 2.0. The OMP (original
message pad), MP 100, and MP 110 are not upgradable to OS 2.0.
Thanks to everyone who has helped. This has been a great list.
Unfortunately (for Casio and what could have been a great
platform), most of the knowledgeable contributors have since
moved on to other platforms also.
Since the Zommer obviously has a very limited lifespan - I advise
all to buy a Newton. BTW - this is the first Apple product I
have owned. I've used various forms of PC Clones since 1986.
Signing Off -
Rob Housley