MessagePad H1000

The original MessagePad (model H1000 or "OMP") was a touchscreen mobile device that was released by Apple Computer as the first model of its MessagePad tablet computer line.

Development
Three Newton models were originally planned for release: a large 9 x 12 inch version codenamed Senior, a mid-sized 6 x 9 inch version that was quickly cancelled, and a small 4.5 x 7 inch version codenamed Junior which would go on to become the first MessagePad.

Release
Apple CEO John Sculley unveiled the MessagePad on May 29, 1992 during the keynote address of the in. However, it was still beset by thousands of bugs when 4,000 prototype units went into production on May 26, 1993 for use at displays at retail stores. It finally began shipping on August 3, 1993 at Macworld Expo Boston for the base price of 699. However, there were accusations of price gouging as high as $897 of early customers who had waited in long lines. It was discontinued on March 4, 1994 with the release of the MessagePad 100.

Features
The MessagePad featured a 20 MHz ARM 610 processor with 640 KB of static RAM. 448 to 482 KB of RAM was used by Newton OS, depending on the version, leaving 158 to 192 KB available for user data. Storage space could be expanded through the PCMCIA Type II slot. The monochrome LCD screen displayed 336 x 240 pixels. A 9600 baud fax modem was optional.

System updates
Software patches updated the OS from version 1.0 to 1.0.5. A new ROM upgrade with Newton OS 1.1 became available on October 30, 1993 that could be installed by an Apple Authorized Service Provider. The final patch was version 1.1.1. The MessagePad 100 contained virtually the same hardware as the original MessagePad, but the newer model's ROM could be updated from version 1.2 to 1.3, neither of which was supported on the original.

Variants
Sharp Corporation licensed and produced a variant of the original MessagePad as the Sharp Expert Pad PI-7000. produced a version integrated with a phone called the Siemens NotePhone.