🚀 go-pugleaf

>1.  The screen emits a high pitched whine. 

Mine's pretty quiet, but if yours is that loud I'd yell at Apple until
they replace it.  I seem to recall one or two people having been
successful at this...

>2.  Connection software is nearly impossible to acquire.  

Can't help you here.

>3.  The handwriting recognition is faster than the old version but still too >slow to use in business meetings or for taking notes in an educational environment.

Um, have you tried ink text?  Works like a charm.  Besides, try taking
notes with any other PDA out there and you'll quickly see the Newton is
the best of the bunch.

>4.  While software is supposed to be readily available, I have had very little >luck at companies such as CompUSA, MicroAge, etc.  Most of the "Computer >Superstores" do not carry much if anything.

Best deals for Newton stuff (or computer stuff in general, actually) is
almost always mail order.  The only people who buy stuff at CompYOUPAY
are those who don't know any better.  NewtonSource (they have a web page
somewhere) is a good place for newton programs and gear.

>5.  The Newton Executive Organizer I bought from an Apple Reseller in Dallas is >worthless.  It was obviously was designed by a bunch of technical engineers >with no regard for usability. 

The Apple case is worthless to me because it's too _large_ - that's why I
didn't buy it.  Just because you or I don't like it doesn't make it a bad
case, though; it's just not right for our personal needs.  There's a few
third-party places that make nice Newton cases; maybe one of them would
fit your needs better - really sounds like you want a small briefcase,
though.  I'll ignore your remark about technical engineers and not start
making comments about "preppie business-school types"  :-o  

>6.  Every now and again, certain "To Do"s will start returning errors if I try >to edit them.  

Never seen this one.  Try calling Apple (1-800-SOS-APPL).  They've got
some of the best customer support I've seen.  My 120 is pretty darned
bug-free (at least I don't run into many...)

>If you appreciate quality products, lobby Apple to license Microsoft to product >software for their product.  Hopefully, Apple can get HP to make the hardware >as well.  (Actually maybe, HP and MS can get together and finish off Apple.)

Okay, you made some valid points above - but MICROSOFT?  <cough> <choke> 
You're kidding, right?  The kings of software bloat?  You want _them_  to
write small, efficient programs?  You want _them_ to monopolize another
market?  Come on, remember intro. economics?  monopoly = bad for
consumer.   Even us lowly technical engineers know that one  :-)

From what you've said I'd really be suprised if there's any PDA out there
that would meet your needs, especially since you want to take notes with
it.  Best advice I can offer you if you're really unhappy with your newt
is to sell it and go back to a paper organizer and notebook - Newton
isn't for everyone.  I can however say that it works amazingly well for
me as a planner/notetaker, so Apple is apparently doing something right. 
Good luck.

------------
Tom Gubiotti
gubi@mit.edu