Apple Newton MessagePad Keyboard X0044

Apple Newton MessagePad Keyboard X0044
Designation	Model M6-1
Manufacturer	Lexmark Key Tronic
Switch	IBM buckling rubber sleeve over membrane
Sense method	Conductive membrane assembly
Protocol	Serial, Mini-DIN-8 connector
Keycaps	Pad-printed ABS

The Apple Newton MessagePad Keyboard (model X0044) was a small form-factor keyboard for the Apple Newton personal digital assistant (PDA). It was introduced by Apple in early 1996 alongside the release of Newton OS 2.0.¹⁾ It was designed by Lexmark for Apple and is derived from IBM Model M6-1 keyboard assemblies such as those found on period IBM ThinkPad and Lexmark Lexbook laptops.

Due to the switches, the keycaps were also inherited from prior IBM designs and suited for use with 'medium-gauge' buckling rubber sleeves. The material is believed to be at least partially ABS as per chemical tests known to dissolve ABS have dissolved M6/M6-1 keycaps at large. What is unique about the X0044's keycaps are their base colour (more blue than any other M6/M6-1 keycap) and the font. The legends appear to be pad-printed and their design appeared to be revised at some point since keyboards with main IC chip date-codes closer to 1997 have extended outlines from the text compared to ones with date-codes closer to 1995. A single-unit keycap size is approximately 16mm x 16mm x 3mm.