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In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, milestones are marked by the innovations that shape the course of the industry. On March 7, 1997, Apple made a significant mark with the introduction of the eMate 300, a personal digital assistant that not only broke new ground but laid the foundation for the future of portable computing.
The eMate 300, part of the Newton series, emerged as a versatile personal digital assistant designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple. Priced at $800, this innovative device showcased a 6.8″ 480×320 resolution 16-shade grayscale display, complete with a stylus pen, a compact keyboard, an infrared port, and standard Macintosh serial/LocalTalk ports.
Powering the eMate 300 were built-in rechargeable batteries, offering an impressive 28 hours of usage on a full charge. This feature, coupled with its portable design, made the device a convenient companion for users on the go. The keyboard, though roughly 85% the size of a standard one, added a tactile dimension to the user experience.
To achieve its affordability, the eMate 300 made strategic compromises. It utilized a 25 MHz ARM 710a RISC processor and had less memory compared to its contemporary counterpart, the MessagePad 2000. However, it outpaced its predecessor, the MessagePad 130. Notable was the inclusion of an internal memory expansion slot, a feature absent in the MessagePad line, opening doors for future customization.
The eMate 300’s expansion slot, located under the battery door, allowed for memory enhancements and featured compatibility with various expansion cards. The device also sported a single non-CardBus PCMCIA slot, offering flexibility for modems, Ethernet cards, wireless cards, Bluetooth cards, and flash memory.
Wrapped in a green-colored translucent case, the eMate 300 was built for durability, especially suited for the rigors of classroom use. Though it may not have achieved the commercial success of other Apple products, its impact on the development of personal digital assistants is undeniable.
As we reflect on 26 years of the eMate 300, it’s clear that this device played a crucial role in shaping the future of portable computing. While today’s smartphones boast advanced features, we owe a debt to the trailblazers like the eMate 300 that paved the way.
The Apple eMate 300 may no longer grace our pockets, but its legacy lives on in the devices we use today. Here’s to the innovation, durability, and pioneering spirit of the eMate 300, a device that sparked a revolution in personal digital assistants and left an indelible mark on the ever-evolving tech industry.
Newton eMate 300 Details
| Introduced | March 7, 1997 |
| Discontinued | February 27, 1998 |
| Model Number | Unknown |
| Order Number | Unknown |
| Original Price | $800 |
| Colors | Dark Grey |
| Weight | 4 Ibs. 1.814 KG |
| Dimensions | 12” H x 11.4” W x 2.1” D 30.48 cm H x 28.95 cm W x 5.33 cm |
eMate 300 Tech Specs
Processor
| Processor | ARM 710a RISC |
| Processor Speed | 25 MHz |
| Architecture | 32-bit |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
Memory
| ROM | 8 MB |
| RAM | 3 MB |
Display
| Input Method | eMate Pen |
| Resolution | 480 x 320 |
Expansion
| Expansion Slots | 1 – PCMCIA-Slot I & II & III |
Connections
| Serial | 1 – Serial 1 – Newton InterConnect |
| Infrared | 1 – 115k with 3.3 feet (1 meter) |
| Audio In | 1 – 3.5-mm analog input jack |
| Audio Out | 1 – 3.5-mm analog output jack 1 – Built-in speaker |
Keyboard
| Keyboard | Built-in keyboard with 77 (U.S.) or 77 (ISO) keys |
Software
| Original OS | Newton OS 2.1 (EN) |
| Maximum OS | Unknown |
Power
| Battery | NiMH rechargeable battery or external power supply |
| Battery Life | 12-28 hours |
Further Reading and References
- eMate 300 – Wikipedia
- Apple Newton eMate 300 laptop, 1997 – Science Museum Group Collection
- My Great New Writing Machine: A Newton eMate 300 – Low End Mac
- No One Remembers but the eMate 300 Is Twenty Years Old Today – Subtraction
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Last updated: November 23, 2023