What if: Apple Newton vs. Apple iPhone

Apple's original Newton

(Credit: Apple)

Back when CNET UK was a baby, it pitted an Apple Newton MessagePad against a Samsung Q1 UMPC in a brutal boxing match to the death. The Newton, despite being 10 years the Q1's senior, emerged victorious and the crowd--that's you lot--went wild.

Today, we've taken the reigning champion, the very same Newton, out of retirement to put it up against a brand-new contender. This time, the opposition is no Windows-tainted experiment doomed to failure. Oh no--this time it's the Newton's very own grandchild, the iPhone 3GS.

It would be a little unfair to compare the two devices on a like-for-like basis. One's a phone, for goodness sake, and one's a 400-year-old tablet thingy. CNET UK's Flora Graham and Rory Reid take a relative look at each, focusing on how innovative they were for their respective times...

Read more of "Apple Newton vs Apple iPhone at Crave UK.

[rockn_1234567]

The only time I saw a Newton in action was when Steven Segal used it in "Under Seige 2." Although I am not for sure it that is a positive or a negative.

[BlutoNYC]

I'd call that a negative. :-)

[ballmerisanape]

Steven could snap your neck like a twig ;)

[baphomet1337]

He'd have to catch me first

[solitare_pax]

That would be easy - all he'd have to do is bean you by hucking that heavy old Newton at you. :)

[BBRules]

You'd think they would have improved the batteries by now.

[sapporobaby512]

Simple: Newton 4-Ever...... I had one and wish to God I still had it. It was and is still great.

[cvaldes1831]

The iPod touch would be a closer comparison, not the iPhone.

[myles taylor]

That's very true.

[myles taylor]

The Newton was an incredible device that definitely paved the way for other similar gadgets. It's sad that it didn't take off like it could have. Things that are ahead of their time and then catch on often bring the future to us a lot sooner. We might be a lot further ahead with handheld devices if it had caught on. On the other hand, the mobile infrastructure wasn't in place like it is for the iPhone and other such devices so really it probably went the only way it could have.

[dianne15]

this is very cool stuff. what will it be? im wondering

[Renderman2009]

The Newton was launched in 1992, back then it was state-of-the-art device, but the slow handwriting recognition let it down. It was the prelude to the Palm which was a better form factor as a portable device.<br /><br />Its funny that Apple is planning a tablet which will come in roughly the same form factor as the Newton. 18 years, time for a recap - maybe it will be successful this time around.

[knowledgenavigator]

The apple newton 2000, and Apple newton 2100 was for its time the best that the world had to offer in terms of PDA's and their legacy has lasted over a decade, i still sell and repair these units through my website at www.newtonsales.com and these units are the best at what they do. Show me a product that can run for over a month on a single charge and ill renouce their excellency =).<br /><br />The issue for apple just like lots of time in the past they released the product early before the market was ready for such an advanced device. It was also released during a time when Steve Jobbs was not there to supervise and ensure that nothing that 'sucked' was sent out the door.

[bigjim01]

The Windows Mobile devices stomp all over anything Apple makes.