RetroTechCollection

Apple eMate 300

The Apple eMate 300 is a clamshell Newton computer with a built-in keyboard, sold by Apple to schools from March 1997 at US$799 and dropped with the rest of the Newton line in February 1998.[1] It runs Newton OS 2.1 on an ARM 710a, with a 480 × 320 backlit screen and pen tablet in the lid, one PC Card slot, a serial port, infrared and a headphone socket.[2] Its model number is H0208; the Newton FAQ lists the code names Project K, Schoolbook and Shay.[3]

Apple eMate 300
eMate 300 (Felix Winkelnkemper, CC BY-SA 4.0)
Specifications
ManufacturerApple Computer, Inc.
TypeNewton laptop for education
Released7 March 1997
Discontinued27 February 1998
Intro priceUS$799 (education)
CPUARM 710a; 25 MHz in Apple's specifications, 27 MHz in the Service Source
Memory512K DRAM and 512K or 1 MB Flash on the logic board (Service Source); RAM card slot
Storage—
Display480 × 320 monochrome LCD, 16 grey levels, EL backlight, resistive tablet
Sound—
ROM8 MB on a removable ROM card
PowerInternal NiMH pack of four AA cells; Newton power adapter
Dimensions289.6 × 305.0 × 53.3 mm
Weight1.9 kg (4.2 lb)
OS / FirmwareNewton OS 2.1
Model no.H0208

Specifications

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eMate 300 specifications (Service Source)[2]
Item Value
Processor ARM 710a
RAM 512K DRAM on the logic board; 512K or 1 MB Flash on the logic board; connector for a RAM card carrying DRAM and Flash
ROM 8 MB; the ROM card can carry up to 16 MB ROM and 16 MB Flash
Display Monochrome LCD, 480 × 320, 0.30 mm (85 dpi) dot pitch, 16 grey levels; yellow-green electroluminescent backlight
Serial GeoPort/LocalTalk port on a DIN 9 connector, software-switchable to the Newton InterConnect
Infrared Point to point, 115 kbit/s maximum, 1 m maximum range
PC Card One slot, Type I, II or III
Sound Internal speaker; headphone socket that mutes it
Battery Four AA NiMH cells; up to 24 hours' use; capacity printed as 5.76 W; one-hour fast charge; 500 cycles
Charge light Off with no adapter, amber while charging, green when charged
Size and weight 289.6 × 305.0 × 53.3 mm; 1.9 kg

Apple's documents disagree on the processor clock and the memory. The Service Source gives 27 MHz, most other Apple documents 25 MHz, and Frank Gründel's NewtTest measures 24.9 MHz.[3] The Service Source gives 512K of DRAM and 512K or 1 MB of Flash, while Apple's support specification, as quoted by the Newton FAQ, gives 1 MB of DRAM and 2 MB of Flash.[2][3] The ROM chips are silkscreened 2.2 but report Newton OS 2.1.[3]

Hardware

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Apple's exploded view with service part numbers (Service Source, PDF p. 118)

Apple serviced the eMate by modules. The logic board is part of the top case assembly (661-1194); the other modules are the LCD (661-1193), the ROM card (661-1195), the keyboard (922-2398), the battery (922-2938) and the EL backlight (922-2681).[2] Service diagnostics run from a PC Card, Apple part 077-0153.[2]

The ROM card and an optional RAM card plug into the bottom of the logic board behind the battery access door; Apple did not sell RAM cards and referred owners to other suppliers.[2] Later memory upgrades for the eMate have been made by Newer Technology, Tech by Androda and NewtonSales.[4]

The battery is a pack of four AA NiMH cells in a sleeve under the access door, wired to connector J11.[2] Inside the pack are a thermistor and a temperature switch that cuts the charge current to about 100 mA above 55 °C.[5] As on the MessagePad 2000 and 2100, a super capacitor keeps the memory and clock alive while the battery is out.[6] The eMate takes the same adapters as the MessagePad; Apple's Service Source notes that the 7-watt Newton adapter charges it more slowly than the 9-watt one.[2]

Common faults

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  • Hinge springs. The friction springs in the lid hinges work loose as their grease dries; a loose spring leg can pierce the display ribbon cable that runs through the hinge, killing the touchscreen or blanking lines or areas of the screen. Owners have repaired the hinges and fitted a creased washer to stop it happening again. See the troubleshooting guide.[7][8]
  • Battery packs. The NiMH pack wears out; Frank Gründel publishes a rebuild procedure. The Newton FAQ warns that any replacement pack's contacts must carry at least 1.2 A.[5][9]
  • Wrong adapters. A 9 V adapter has burnt out capacitor C101; Frank Gründel advises that the MAX1771 next to it (U29) may need replacing too.[10]

Documentation

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  •  
    Closed (Felix Winkelnkemper, CC BY-SA 4.0)
  •  
    Running at VCFB 2019 (stiefkind, CC0)
  •  
    Removing the battery (Apple leaflet)
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References

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  1. ↑ Wikipedia, "eMate 300" (read 2 October 2026). Used only for the introduction on 7 March 1997, the US$799 education price and the end of the Newton line on 27 February 1998.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Apple Computer, eMate 300 (Service Source), 118 pp., 1997. Hosted as File:EMateServiceManual.pdf; see Apple eMate 300 Service Source. PDF pages: specifications pp. 17–26; reset procedures pp. 8–9; bottom view p. 14; symptom charts pp. 29–40; service diagnostics pp. 41–73; take-apart pp. 75–112; RAM upgrade pp. 114–116; exploded view with part numbers p. 118.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 The Newton FAQ Group, Newton FAQ, Part II: Hardware, 1e "Specification differences between models" (with footnotes 6, 7 and 12) and 2a "What are the part numbers for Newton devices and accessories?", newtonfaq.com (read 2 October 2026). Community reference compiled from Apple specification sheets. Source for: model number H0208 and code names; 1 MB DRAM and 2 MB Flash according to Apple's support specification; the ROM silkscreened 2.2 but patched to report 2.1; 25 MHz in nearly all Apple documents against 27 MHz in the Service Source and 24.9 MHz measured with NewtTest; the eMate service part numbers.
  4. ↑ Newton FAQ, Part II: Hardware, B1d "Can I increase the internal memory of my Newton?", newtonfaq.com (read 2 October 2026).
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Frank Gründel, "How to rebuild / refurbish an Apple eMate battery pack", PDA-Soft, pda-soft.de/emate_battery_pack.html (read 2 October 2026). Community guide.
  6. ↑ Apple Computer, eMate 300 User's Manual, 1997. Hosted as File:eMate 300 User's Manual (1997).pdf. Appendix A (printed pp. 243–244): a Newton Rechargeable Battery Pack and a super capacitor as backup; the charging light (green charged, orange charging, off with no adapter); one to two hours to recharge; no overcharging; battery replacement by an Apple-authorised service provider.
  7. ↑ Joel M. Sciamma, "Repairing eMate Hinges and Display Cable", Inventors Emporium, inventors-emporium.co.uk (read 2 October 2026). Community repair guide.
  8. ↑ Newton FAQ, Part II: Hardware, C8 "Why does my eMate make an odd sound when I open the lid?" and C9, newtonfaq.com (read 2 October 2026).
  9. ↑ Newton FAQ, Part II: Hardware, C7 "How do I recondition or rebuild a battery pack?", newtonfaq.com (read 2 October 2026).
  10. ↑ Frank Gründel, reply in "Need Assistance With Repairing eMate 300", NewtonTalk, 1 January 2025, MARC archive. Community report.


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