The Apple Newton MessagePad 120 was introduced in the US in October 1994. It was discontinued two years later in June 1996. It was the fourth release in the Newton MessagePad family, following the original MessagePad, MessagePad100 and the MessagePad 110. The Newton MessagePad 120 uses the same case as the Newton MessagePad 110 but lacks the rubberized surface. 

The Apple Newton MessagePad 120, codenamed Gelato, features a 20 MHz ARM 610 processor, 4 MB of upgradable ROM, 1.0 MB (639k of system RAM, 385k of Flash RAM for internal storage) or 2.0 MB (687k of system RAM, 1,361k of Flash RAM for internal storage) of RAM, and infrared-beaming capabilities in a sleek handheld case with a 320x240 pressure-sensitive monochrome display for use with a provided stylus. 

The MessagePad 120 also features a socketed ROM, more RAM, and the capability to use higher-power PCMCIA cards (325 mA). The Newton MessagePad was one of the first series of handheld systems, or PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), to attempt to recognize natural handwriting and use a basic form of artificial intelligence to 'tie' relevant information together.

The Newton MessagePad family used the Newton OS, which was developed by Apple. When the MessagePad 120 was first introduced it came with the same version, OS 1.3, as the previous model, but customers were able to upgrade to Newton OS 2.0 when it was released in early 1996. This example in our collection is a later model which came with OS 2.0 preloaded.

Timeline for MessagePad :

Magazine Articles About MessagePad

• Byte May 1995