From: DJ Vollkasko (DJ_Vollkasko_at_gmx.net)
Date: Tue May 11 2004 - 01:15:12 PDT
>Ok, being a newbie - If one was to purchase a 2100, what would be minimum
configuraton (2100 or
>2000 w/updgrade), what cables?, extra PCcards - memory/NIC/Modem,
manuals, keyboard, cover
>etc....
The serial cables from the older models (for connecting to the desktop
computer) will work with any later model, same goes for power supplies
(original 2x00 power supplies charge faster, but the older ones do the job,
too, only slower). If you've got those from your MP100-buy, you're looking
good.
The serial cables come in two flavors: "Mac" and "PC". What you need
depends on what you want to hook up to. The Mac-flava is a regular Apple
serial cable (e.g. Mac-to-printer) and can be easily obtained. The PC-cable
has the roundish plug on one end and a PC-style serial plug on the other on
(9-pin male RS 232 - is that what it's called?). Either of these cables
occasionally pop up at Ebay or can be bought when buying a MP with
accessories. For good measure, I bought both kinds when I had the chance to
do so cheaply - you never know what you wanna get in in touch with. For
connecting to brand-new Macs, you need some USB-to-serial-mojo.
Note: MP 2000 and 2100 have a different port called Interconnect (some
hot-in-theory-only proprietary stuff exclusively built for Apple and long
since forgotten in the industry) than the roundish serial port previously
employed. To connect, either you must have one of the rare serial cables
with a Interconnect-plug on one end, or a not-too-rare-but-scarce-enough
"dongle" that plugs into Interconnect and offers a MiniDin socket, or you'd
have to buy Mr. PCBMan's Ser001 hardware, it upgrades MP 2x00 with a
regular MiniDIN port.
This cable-mess or Ser001 can be circumvented by using WLAN or Bluetooth to
connect to your desktop. Both are available as PC Card (check FAQ and Wiki).
Only prob: You need to somehow get the drivers to the Newton before
it'll work (aka "bootstrapping problem"). You could use your MP100 to pack
all the drivers on a storage card, and then put that card into the 2x00,
move the drivers to internal store, install the WLAN/Bluetooth card and
you're set (okay, need some configuration, etc., but that's the basic
idea). No more cables, and with Bluetooth you could connect to a
Bluetooth-capable mobile phone whon on the road, or your desktop machine
(don't know if Eckhart's driver will ever support BT-keyboards and other
fun, too -- E., how about it? ;=} ).
Another workaround for the bootstrap-thing is the card loaner program
that Frank Gruendel and Paul Curtis offer: You deposit some $$$, and they
ship you everything you need to get going. You return the stuff (cards,
cables, etc.), you get your refund minus postage costs. Check the archive
for details if you need this.
If you have a desktop computer or notebook with infrared port, you
probably could also transfer stuff via IR. Might need Eckhart's IR drivers
(which you could install via storage card in the MP 100 again...).
Storage cards: There some incompatibilities, but IIRC this mainly afflicts
eMates. Later MP-models can use earlier MP-models' cards. At least my new
Dr. Gruendelstein MP 2g00 likes all the three cards (2 MB, 4 MB, 28 MB) I'd
used with my MP 130 before. If you have any storage cards already, you
don't need to buy more right away. See also my previous post "Re: [NTLK] I
need quick advices please !!!" about cards (and the FAQ, and the Wiki
maybe, and Paul Guyot's website regarding ATA Support).
Buy a MP 2100 or an upgraded MP 2000 (which is functionally the same, only
says 2000 instead of 2100), whatever. The only thing I hold against 'em is
they don't fit in the breat pocket of my coat or the back pocket of my
trousers (like my MP 130 does! But it don't do networking, so...). The HWR
is stronger, it's faster and the screen is huge for reading (which I do a
lot, and that's how the Newton saves me money ;=} ).
Keyboard: The original keyboard needs a MiniDIN socket, so either you need
a dongle or a Ser001. There are other options, e.g. Stowaway, that others
will have to fill you in about. Check the archives on Stowaway, too.
Cover lid, serial port cover, PC Card slot covers: Nice to have,
functionally irrelevant. My 2g00 has none of these - the only thing I miss
a bit is the cover lid. I love cover lids.
Modem: Any modem that works with the older Newtons will work with 2x00. You
can use either a PC Card modem or on on the serial port (in which case you
might hafta check about getting the cabling sorted out). - Hey all, can
Newtons (1.x/2.0/2.1) do 56.000 with a modem?
Shopping list:
* MP 2100 or upgraded 2000 with pen (I got cheapo plastic styli, works
great - thanks Dr Gruendelstein!), decent display, working backlight
* rebuilt set of rechargeables (see current offers on list - was that Paul
C.? Frank G. does it, too, and there are more... Hmh, maybe the Wiki needs
a receller-page... Any takers?)
* Interconnect-dongle, or Ser001, or IC-plug-cable, or wireless connection
* no different cables, no powersupply needed if you can get your MP 100
connected and charged
Nice-to-haves:
* Additional storage (linear PC Card or CF + ATA Support).
* Keyboard (Note: HWR on MP 2x00 is very much stronger and faster than on
any NOS 1.x device)
* Modem (card or serial)
Hope this helps. Any more questions? Have you checked the FAQ and the Wiki
for info?
Cheers,
'Kasko
-- This is the NewtonTalk list - http://www.newtontalk.net/ for all inquiries Official Newton FAQ: http://www.chuma.org/newton/faq/ WikiWikiNewt for all kinds of articles: http://tools.unna.org/wikiwikinewt/
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