Ok, I admit it. I’m a tech junkie. I’m also really, really glad Apple has placed this unique device on the market to the rest of us, not just to students.
In case you’ve been asleep for the past few months and don’t know what the eMate is, here’s an overview: 25mhz ARM RISC processor, 3MB of RAM, 8MB of ROM, input/output ports for sharing information and printing with Mac OS and Wintel desktop systems, a card slot for Type I, II or III PC cards. The capabilities are identical to the Newton series, with the addition of a built in keyboard and well, a really neato case made of translucent green.
Frankly I haven’t had much time to use this yet, but from what I’ve seen so far, it’s very versatile and easy to use. Data transfering is a breeze. The screen is bright and easy to read. For far less money than a laptop system you can get most of the features you actually use. Text input can be done anywhere, anytime. Email and web surfing (text only) on the run. The built in software includes a word processor (spell checks, too!), drawing program, spreadsheet, date book, address book, and system utilities. Very extendable, can use any software that’s made for the Newton series. (More on this as I get more familiar, and learn the best uses and software to grow it.)
Overall it is a very good one as it is not a notebook computer. It doesn’t seem like a Newton, either. The Apple eMate 300 is a student’s dream--portable computing with integrated keyboard for less than $800. The transluscent green, stylish case is a real attention getter. You’ll get those looks formerly reserved for drivers of sleek sports cars (and rugged Hummers).