March 26, 1997: eMate Goes on Sale

The Newton cost over a billion dollars to develop. Proving that throwing money at something doesn't make it successful, the Newton sold very poorly. While it might have been wise to cut their already substantial losses, Apple decided to see if they could salvage something out of the Newton debacle.

To that end Apple introduced the eMate, whichshared with Apple's simultaneously introduced LCD monitor the featured translucent plastics. The plastics were about the only thing new about the eMate because the rest of the machine was essentially the Newton packed in a case with an attached keyboard.

Apple marketed the eMate as a tough computer ideal for k-12 students. With an $800 price tag and the reputation of the Newton dragging it down, demand for the eMate was limited. The few who wanted the portable keyboard or stylus-driven Newton could pick one up at their local Apple reseller in March of 1997.