Do Not Design for a Personal Computer

The Newton World

The Newton world has different users and new tasks. Newton hardware is different as well; it uses:

Obviously, each of these hardware issues drives the design process. This, accompanied by the non-computer-user component of the Newton user base, means that applications should be small, doing one thing very well and other things not at all. Because data is shared on the Newton, you should rely on other applications to handle other tasks. Do your one task, with such ease of use and style that you take the user's breath away.

A successful Newton application will also combine the right interface elements from the pen-and-paper world and from the computer world. Further, because the Newton is basically wireless, your users will be on the move and not sitting quietly at a desk; too much sun and bumpy airplane rides are something your design must accommodate.

Since the Newton's hardware is different, its software used in a greater range of environments, and its application goals more straightforward, you must avoid the beguiling temptation to simply port a scaled-down application, design and all, from another platform to the Newton. This is true even if the platform is Macintosh. A Newton application is not a smaller version of a Macintosh application; do not fill it with Macintosh scroll arrows, look-alike windows, and tool palettes.


An online version of Programming for the Newton using Macintosh, 2nd ed. ©1996, 1994, Julie McKeehan and Neil Rhodes.

Last modified: 1 DEC 1996