I was predisposed to love the Newton MessagePad 2000, which weighs in at less than 2 pounds and has a battery that lasts more than three weeks. So I got a unit, spent a few days loading my data, and seriously tried to integrate it into my workday.
One week in, I gave up using the Newton to take notes. Scribbling on the computer’s screen was nearly three times slower than simply typing my notes on a laptop. The MessagePad 2000’s keyboard was no better; its size cramped my fingers.
One month in, I stopped using the calendar. The screen was big enough to show only one day at a time with any clarity, making it easy to forget about events two or three days down the line. And the MP2000 was so slow that I started making appointments first, then entering them into the computer later. Not surprisingly, I started double-booking my schedule.
The absence of Ethernet made synchronizing with my desktop computer a pain. The Web browser might be a fun diversion on a six-hour flight, but its lack of support for tables, JavaScript, and animated GIFs made it unsuitable for most applications.
In the end, I gave up on the MP2000. The whole experience left me feeling heartbroken. I hope that the new Newton line better meets my needs.
Newton MessagePad 2000: US$1,099. Or on the Web.
This article originally appeared in the September issue of Wired magazine.
