MessagePad 2100

The MessagePad 2100 was a touchscreen mobile device that was released by Apple Computer as the final model of its MessagePad tablet computer line.

Release
The MessagePad 2100 was announced on October 20, 1997 and shipped on November 7. It was discontinued only a few months later on February 27, 1998 along with the rest of the Newton platform.

Features
The MessagePad 2100 utilized the form factor of the MessagePad 2000 with the same model number and 162 MHz StrongARM 110 processor. However, it contained 4 MB of dynamic RAM, a four-fold increase over its predecessor. An additional 4 MB of flash memory was built-in for storage, which could be expanded through the two PCMCIA slots. The 480 x 320 LCD display supported 16 shades of gray and included backlighting. The 2100 was also the only MessagePad model to be branded "Newton Technology" from Newton, Inc., a short-lived subsidiary of Apple which was soon re-absorbed and shut down.

Articles

 * Today in Apple history: Newton MessagePad makes its last stand by Luke Dormehl at Cult of Mac (2020-11-07)
 * Giving WiFi to an Apple Newton by Brian Benchoff at Hackaday (2016-02-09)

Tutorials

 * Apple Tablet Teardown by Walter Galan at iFixit (2010-03-09)
 * How to disassemble and reassemble a Newton 2000 / 2100 by Frank Gruendel at PDA Soft (2007-02-22)
 * How to rebuild an Apple Newton 2000 / 2100 battery pack (2007-02-22)
 * How to replace the backlight of an Apple Newton 2000 / 2100 (2007-02-22)
 * MP2x00 Overclock and Other MP2x00 Hardware Hacks by Stephanie Maksylewich (archived 2008-04-14)