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(Confession: I still have a Newton -- and even an iMate...)
The Newton family was too far ahead of the hardware of its day -- especially display technology.
Even with the limited computing power available, the fact that the Newton "learned the user" (instead of the user learning the machine -- i.e. a new "alphabet" like Palm) was a true look into the future. And, with all today's advances in hardware and software to build on, this just may BE "the future"...
Few folks ever caught on that the Newton was the Star Trek Communicator and "TriCorder" -- combined... A young fellow who worked for me (also the one who introduced me to Newton) had that Star Trek "flip of the wrist" opening motion down pat. His Newton would come out of its holster, be "flipped open" (with the cover latched to the backside) and be taking notes in he blink of an eye. That slight bulge in the width of the Newton and the cover hinge were designed to work together -- specifically for that purpose. It was not terribly significant, but (like most things Apple) it represented a lot of very carefully thought-out industrial/human interface design...
With today's computing power and hardware advances, even the Newton could be an amazing "companion/tool".
My guess is that whatever Apple comes out with this time will truly change the behavior of millions: it will simply be that well thought-out and capable...
The Newton was no "POS"; it taught Apple tons about what to do (and what not to do) when hardware capability finally caught up with its design mastery and human vision...
Intended to copy you on #23...