Freewrite Alpha - HONEST first impressions. 

No, you're not being too negative. This was a very good comparison video and the screen on the Alpha is clearly not as good as the older machines. I have a Neo 2, and think I'll just stick with that.

The real question is why no backlight. Yes a backlight will use battery faster but at least you could see it. You gotta be grateful for people that show these products and how they work. Thanks! I'll stick to my laptop.

For those interested there is a opensource alternative called Zerowriter. It costs $50 to build.

Great illustration of the viewing angles. Thanks!

Thank you for the video. I'm a first time user of a non-laptop/tablet writer, and I just got the Freewrite Alpha, probably off the same Indiegogo campaign. As someone who never had a Neo or an earlier Freewrite, I'm really liking the device. I think I'd love the traveler more, but I paid a couple hundred bucks less for this, so will keep it there for the moment. I have the black version, and I think that might help slightly with the screen visibility - I imagine that the white reflects a bit more glare. The smaller screen maybe is an issue, but I'm trying very much to embrace the type now-edit later aesthetic, so that might actually help in that direction. The best thing is the flatness of it - actually takes up less room and is lighter than my MS Surface - and the keyboard. I'm one of those fat fingered types you mentioned, and the keyboard is one of the most comfortable I've come across. I didn't notice the louder spacebar click when it's on kickstand angle either. A menu of the shortcuts would have been nice. I'm thinking of laminating the PDF the company emailed me and keeping that in the carrying case. Anyway, my two cents. Thanks for your video, and I hope you enjoy it, or it goes to a good home if you resale...

I’m a huge fan of the original NEO. I was excited to learn Astrohaus was releasing Alpha. After its initial release, I’m glad I sat it out. If I were to get any Freewrite device, it would the original smart typewriter. The Traveler and Alpha just don’t seem fleshed out enough for an investment. For a distraction free device, these devices are distractions within themselves. Thank you for the great review.

I just saw an ad earlier today for the Alpha, and your review came up first. You've confirmed my worry with the screen size and viewing angle, so I'm glad I found this video. And honestly, I'm considering finding that Neo instead. 😂

Let's take the high contrast screens our customers love and replace it with a reflective lcd that can't use a backlight. :D

I emailed them asking if they can add bold fonts. If they make the fonts thicker the legibility will improve quite a lot!

the comparisons make this video so painful, yet great. hey, the screen matches the key color at least. hope you ask for too much, never stop...

I think the Alpha is awesome. I will say, there is a difference between me and others who buy these gadgets-I’m not looking for the, ‘perfect’ gadget to end buying other gadgets. I’m just a writer who loves writing tools. I have many vintage and antique typewriters for this reason. For me, it’s not about finally getting the perfect writing tool, it’s about having functionality combined with style. That’s what the Freewrite devices are. They’re focused to a specific market, they are functional, and they are stylish. More importantly, they get the job done and they’re cool. If you’re a writer, you’re going to write no matter how imperfect or perfect your tools are. Basically people who buy these with the idea that it’s going to be THE writing tool, are looking for the leprechaun and the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Was going to buy it but that screen scares me. Will hold out for v2 😢

I'm so pleased you made this video, I used to have an alphasmart neo2, and then I "upgraded" to the dana... and I was gutted, because it was so dim, and I couldn't use it. Now I see how much similar the new alpha is.. and it reminds me of the dana. :( Might just stick to my chromebook with black and white filters.

Oops. Looks like no DD was done in here. Terrible visibility on the Astrohaus Alpha. Would not buy this at all. Not to mention no backlight. The contrast is laughable. 20 years between …. unbeliavable. Just too many unacceptable compromises, would send it back.

Wow, I'm really disappointed. I can't believe it! What a shame. And you're definitely not asking for too much! For Freewrite to lean *so* heavily on the Alphasmart name and design, you would expect them to be contributing some real innovation to push the technology forward (apart from just wifi). Thank you very much for taking the time to make this video though! I guess I'll just keep trucking along with my old Alphasmart and my 'DIY Freewrite' (an e-ink tablet and a bluetooth mechanical keyboard)

You've made me happier with my Alphasmart Dana.

great adds with the neo devices. used the neo2 for years and loved it. the thing that hit purchase for me were the brown mechanical switches. don't forget with the neo2 hack you can put 7,9,11 lines on that old device which is awesome. my primary writing deck right now is the Ghost Edition (the keys are better than the black Traveler) and the Pomera DM250 (keyboard not awesome at all but it has two screen mode where you can align two files side by side which is awesome and outline mode where you can use sub brackets which turn it into a mini Scrivener light type device). look forward to checking it out tomorrow when it comes in the mail. thanks for the great review.

Excellent comparison. I owned quite a few Neos. I loved them. When a thought came to me, I just took mine out at the moment and began writing. They eventually all broke down. They were all old and refurbished machines. When Freewrite Alpha came out, I was initially excited. However, on Freewrite’s videos, I noticed what you pointed out in your review, and did not buy one. My wife surprised me and gifted me a Traveler a couple of years ago. It’s all right but, to put it nicely, it’s no Neo. It’s hard to be spontaneous with it. Again, thank you for a great comparative review.

100% agree on the screen. Very difficult to read. I can see the large font size, but can only get like four to five words per line. Really let down by this device! I have the big Freewrite and love it. Was hoping alpha would be a nice addition for on the road. It is not :)

I really like the vibe of your videos, don't change a thing.

The design looks nice, but otherwise it's another meagre offering IMO. They don't seem to be making any effort to improve their products, which is unforgiveable considering the asking price. Thank you for showing us your previous models. The lack of progress is quite evident.

I got mine yesterday, and so far like it. Haven't had any of the other devices yet but might spring for a limited color of one of them at some point. I haven't tried sending to email since setting up postbox to sync to google docs for now, but did receive my email when i tested it prior. The software update took a little while to show up on mine, figured it was some back end registering it had to do before being able to see the update. Hoping to have this replace my Neo for most cases as the sync is so convenient, but I don't think I'll retire my Neos completely. The screen does leave something to desire, but being its really only for drafting I'll forgive it and buy into the idea the company is trying to sell us.

I finally got mine too. The black one. It’s so cute and handsome. A few things that I enjoy. The typing feel and lcd refresh are good. They are swift and as far as I can tell little to no delay. The smart typewriter gen 3 which I have has this annoying delay. It was fixed in an update with a compromise due to the e ink screen limitations. It ghosts the letter in and then solidifies it a bit later. So that huge drafting writing is addressed in the alpha. What baffles me is the screen size lack of backlight and opportunity to fully parody the features of the alpha smart which are awesome for learning or drafting or anything. I think I’ll keep mine but it is lacking major features and hardware features.

This thing is almost everything I needed. I have a neo but have lost work too many times due to memory being dependent on watch battery that jiggled out of place for a millisecond. I agree that the neo display is a little better and I miss actual arrow keys but losing my work just can't be replaced. I barely look at the screen anyway if I cared about the screen that much I'd get the traveler. I prefer the low profile and don't care about the viewing angle. Wish there was a protection against accidently hitting that send button lol.

I am a fan of some of Freewrite’s products, but the Alpha just looks so incredibly bad. They could have just improved the traveler instead of making a worse, more expensive Alphasmart.

seems like Astrohaus just misses it. Traveler with low profile MECHANICAL keyboard and backlight?? obvious perfect device, they don't make it.

I got my new Alpha last week and generally like it. I agree that the screen is a bit disappointing though. Small is too small, and large doesn't show enough. There is a lack of contrast and I wish they had made the screen just a bit bigger. I am not aware of any way to change the contrast. (I have an original NEO and was happy with that screen.) I've been very impressed by the battery life in the week that I've had it. I connected the Postbox to my Google drive. The drafts are always kept up to date there. The email feature worked fine for me as well. I also liked how the company's engagement with me via email. They sent an email when the UPS dropped it at my door. They sent emails all through the initial phases of getting registered and other first steps. So far, the battery life seems great. I have used it for a bit every day, and the battery has not dropped at all. I could see that the noise of the keyboard would get some attention at a coffee shop, but that's totally expected with mechanical keys.

Great vid, thanks. The screen legibility was *much* better when the Alpha's sole font was the one pictured on the box (at 0:13 of your video). Apparently Astrohaus felt the need to change the font in the first over-the-air firmware update, and the new sole font is what is pictured on your device. As you say, it's really, really bad.

So glad you did this review! The screen visibility, font size options, keyboard loudness, and overall size are a no go for me. I’ll see what improvements they make to v2!

Thanks so much for doing this comparison. I have a Traveler and I find the lag to be annoying so I was thinking of getting the new Alpha but it sounds like the old Alphasmarts are still the way to go.

I'm not familiar with the Freewrite series. That Traveller you showed - if it had a bigger, wider screen, I would be looking to buy.

oh no, the screen IS much darker and smaller than products they copied. Also I don't know why, but I think it's better writing on squish keyboard than click-y ones, especially when what you write is personal or fiction works. Didn't expect Freewrite Traveler is better than alpha, cause e-ink sometime really does slower than my type speed...maybe I should get that one instead. Thank you for the video 🥲

Thank you for the comparisons! I have an AlphaSmart and am quite happy with it, and had been curious about the Alpha, but now...

the display looks horrible, it seems to be way too dark. I ordered the black version, but seeing this makes me regret the purchase already. I don't even want to consider the price... Maybe I just stick to the Traveler.

Just the ergonomics of looking down at the screen would make me pass in the device. Otherwise it’s quite good looking and I love the novelty.

No blacklight display in 2024? Or at least frontlight, like the Kindles or Game Boy Advance used to have back in the early 2000s? The battery requirement would be minimal with well selected LEDs.

The AlphaSmart is aging a lot but it is a better machine in my opinion. For the longest time the software was available for the AlphaSmart. It allowed you to upload and download directly from the machine without having to send the text to a word processor as you describe here in the video. They also have a pretty rare wireless device that works with it. I have that device, but it is does not add a lot of value. One thing about these devices is they are very good for avoiding distractions. I spent my second masters degree using the Alpha Smart and it was amazing to have. Anywhere that I was waiting, I could pull it out and start writing on an assignment. I think you did an excellent job with your video and showing the product.

I have the Freewrite Traveller and wow, the Alpha just looses with the LCD in comparison to the e-ink The Traveller is far superior

I have the Traveler and the Hemingwrite and I really like both of them,however, the Traveler's keys leave alot to be desired for me and the Hemingwrite is not a portable device. I like everything about the Alpha (particularly the mechanical keyboard)EXCEPT THE LOUSY SCREEN! what were Freewrite thinking when they designed this device? I will probably return the Alpha because it is of no use to me unless they can brighten the screen via software???

I own the Traveler and the original Neo. I LOVE both devices but the ease of getting my WIP from the traveler (online in the clout) is why I pick it hands down over Neo. The Freewrite definitely needs a better screen though, especially for the price. Neo is like $20 bucks on eBay.

Dang, I wish I could remember its name for you, but … this thing you’re reviewing already existed in the early 1990s! In college, in the dorms, on the floor below mine, someone had what looked like an extra-thin electric typewriter, but what it REALLY was was this very gizmo you’re reviewing - except a little thicker, with a typewriter-style paper input and a dot matrix printer carriage that rode horizontally along its top, and a single-line LCD display below the paper and carriage, on which whatever you’d typed was displayed before it was printed. The memory, I believe, was onboard. To me it looked maddening - I owned an Apple IIc with a 9” green monochrome c.r.t. display, so I couldn’t imagine typing whole papers while only able to see one line at a time, when I was used to seeing three or four paragraphs at once, and storing years worth of papers on a series of 5-1/2” floppy disks - but the gizmo’s owner swore by it: she’d type away on the single line, and when she was done typing, the little gizmo would print her papers. I can’t tell you much more about it, as I didn’t toy around with it much. But something similar DID exist as early as the fall of 1990 and the winter of 1991!

We are a quarter of the way through the 21st century. There is no excuse for not having some kind of decent display on one of these things where you can see more than one or two lines at a time. It's not on.

Salam, Good review. Unfortunately, none of these devices support Arabic. Additionally, the other Freewrite models are too expensive for me, and I have concerns about shipping to Jordan and the potential issues with returning or repairing the device if it breaks down. Therefore, I have an idea for a customised set-up that I am still working on: an Android 10.1-inch tablet with a suitable keyboard and selected applications focused on writing and translation only. As a translator, such a device would be portable and useful for short, easy, and non-demanding writing and translation tasks. I wanted to share this idea with others in the hope that it might benefit them as well.

Good review. Thank you. This is the same pain that I have, they just don't make large LCD displays like they used to. Most of that market has moved to LED or e-ink.😢

You could put some stickers on and decorate it a little bit to give it some life

I’m concerned about the screen. But what really upsets me the most is that the Alpha was advertised with an English international Keyboard for us who write in other language than English. But they now saying this would come in a update 🙄. I wanted to get an Alphasmart but I live outside the uS and wouldn’t want to risk getting a defective device. And this is why I went for a newer device. I have the freewrite (the big one, which I love. Got the Lemon version) and now I’m not sure about my purchase anymore.

It's good in a typical or classical genre device, but no better than combination of Boox Palma with a portable keyboard, with which you could even in Google doc, the battery will also last at least 3-5 days depending on how long you type everyday.

Yeah I am really confused about who this appeals to. Is the idea that you’re not actually looking at what you’re writing when you draft? Is that why the screen is so dang small?

I bought the Alphasmart Neo when it first came out, and wrote a few short stories on it. Then, for some unknown reason, I put it away for many years. I’ve been looking at writing on it again, though. Mine still works like it did when I first got it, and I just cleared it out for some new writing. It certainly has its limitations, but it gets the job done.

I remember using an alphasmart in elementary school in the 90s, as hand fatigue has always been an issue for me

Also it is not like technology is worst; it is the opposite. But you are looking at a cheap LCD with higher resolution, so that will always look worst than a "old school" LCD from a device like the Alphasmart. If the screen was 3x the size, you would see a much better resolution (not at the same level as eink of course); but when you type just 3 lines at the average size of the font, you are basically not leveraging on the high resolution advantage of modern screens.

I'm wondering if the screen is worse because of the non-reflective coating? - I've not got one, but that did occur to me as a difference between the new & old tech... (not that I think the old stuff had reflective problems)... (not got one & also not got an Alphasmart either -- I'm in the UK and the Alphasmarts just don't seem to exist at all!? )

Mine supposedly comes tomorrow. Ordered within the hour of pre-order and they apparently shipped it via an old guy walking across the country. Basically all of the reasons I ordered this are shot to shit in this video 😂. I can’t stand the spacebar on my Traveller and the refresh rate is super annoying. That screen is a joke, however. I don’t mind the small size, honestly that was a big draw as a chronic edit-in-flight writer, but if it’s too dark to see what I’m typing… that feels like an issue. Now worried there wont be a second hand market to dump these things into once word spreads that they don’t function as intended.

Well, I was thinking of saving up for one, but because of my disability this thing is a no go. I like their other devices, but I can't afford them.

The Epson HX20, maybe the first laptop ever (1981), had adjustible viewing angles for its LCD. 350$?! For that?!

Of all of those, I would only get the Traveller version for the biggest screen. Outside of that, I'd rather just carry my 14 inch screen laptop. It's not much bigger, and at least then I can actually write documents.

In spiritual practice, we learn about desire. That little voice that says, “When this comes I’ll be happy and stop buying new stuff” comes from our ego. People who follow a spiritual discipline learn to observe that little voice and obtain some distance from it. We learn that you don’t give up desire but eventually recognize its futility.

“Send” should be near instantaneous. Try doing a hard reboot of your Alpha to see if it fixes the issue

If you look very carefully (perhaps with a magnifying glass) you should be able to count the individual pixels on each screen, and thereby get a rough estimate of their horizontal x vertical pixel resolution on each one. Would be interesting to see. For a device dedicated solely to a specific purpose, its entire reason de etre is to excel at every aspect related to that purpose. Every tiny detail either adds or detracts from the experience. Just imagine if that screen was was 50% larger vertically, what a difference that could make to the experience. The fonts seem to have a lot of vertical line space; hopefully in a future firmware revision that could adjust that. Hopefully the contrast ratio on the screen is also adjustable?

I think that I'll just hang on to my NTS Dreamwriter. Or my Tandy 100. Or my Sharp Brain. Or... :) From a technical standpoint, getting the LCD wrong is pretty silly given the excellent options out there. And it's not like they didn't have plenty of wiggle room in the pricing to go with a better display.

Excellent review and comparison. Thanks for sharing!

My Alpha is in the mail. I also have a Neo and have had both the Traveller and Full size models in the past. From the looks of your video, the Alpha's screen needs a contrast improvement big time. I really liked the full size model, the traveller was not for me. We will see how things fare with the Alpha.

not too negative. these things need to be a LOT better and a LOT cheaper for it to make sense. I'm relieved i was able to sell my traveler. my penchant for wanting a "writing device" and having tried these (including the alphasmart) has cured me of my penchant. word processor is just fine (albeit i use the much simpler and less different for the sake of different word processor Textmaker 2021).

significantly better right out of the package. the firmware update just ruined the fonts. they're struggling to internationalize the fonts. as a result the fonts are not what the company marketed for the last year. looks like you have already applied the firmware update.

Thank you for this thorough review!

I stick with my Olivetti Lettera 22.

If they reduced the leading (the gap between lines of text) they could get more rows

Huh, that’s odd. I have and occasionally use the (well several actually) Amstrad NC 100 notepad from the early 90s. Getting anything off the device is cumbersome but of course the display contrast is easy to adjust and even for a non backlit screen perfectly legible.

4 lines before firmware update, 5 with 1.0 (just in case someone prefers the 4 lines with 'small'. Don't update if, so)

You would be better off with a mechanical keyboard and sticking an old iPad on it.

Thanks for a great review. I'll be subscribing.

I feel this company makes a living fleecing you writers with sub par products. This should be no more than 200 bucks. You guys gotta stop giving this company your money.

It’s because Astrohaus(like many other companies)...Don’t use their own products. I need to sit down and put together something ACTUAL writers like myself could use and never want to put down. Also, Astrohaus always go cheap on their wimpy-sized displays.

What an interesting device.

Seems like this would be an ergonomic nightmare. I don't know how long I could type basically looking down at my fingers. Does anyone who has used something like this for a while have any neck discomfort?

I would go crazy because I would be constantly thinking that the keyboard is dirty.

Hey, I just got an Alphasmart Neo 2. I wonder, how does that COMPARE to an Alphasmart? How many lines of text can you get on the display at once? How much do they cost?

It looks like it has a damage or a contrast/brightness issue. Dont know if you can set these things by software, but would bet it should not look like that. Have you compared it to other owners of the same model? I do remember watching LCD panels like that in my electronic practices at school and just adjusting resistors to give a better look.

At the risk of asking an ignorant question - is it just the lack of distractions that makes these appealing? As someone who edits and formats as I go, I can feel my blood pressure rising at the thought of only having four lines of text at a time.

I am about to give up with internet connection and email setup. Useless. Nothing but frustration. Feels like it took them 100 years to give this to us and it doesn’t work properly.

Unfortunately, none of these contemporary machines have been able to match the Neo. Many of the newer machines styling is often gimmicky and embarrassing looking, the pricing is usually outrageous for what you are getting compared to a used Neo, either the screen or the keyboard is significantly lacking, and the battery life never even comes within 10% of the capacity of the Neo. The only benefit so far that modern machines offer is better data capacity and the ability to transfer non text data back and forth on modern OS. The Neo was built by very clever engineers from Apple computers and was a ground up design with a focus on functionality, durability and low power usage with clever power management hacks. Whereas most of the modern offerings look unique on the outside, but are often built on top of run of the mill micro-controller/computers and components on the inside that have none of the custom engineering that make the Neo so superior. It's going to be a while before we get something that Rivals the Neo.

Did the emails ever show up?

Thank you

For the money buy a Boox Tablet and dont install anything to distract your writing. Nuy a great bluetooth keyboard and a lamy safari emr pen.

the travel its netter than the alpha..its look like atoy writer..and they dont have much screen view , i feel like a old calculator ..y prefer the traveler

I really like the idea, BUT, it's flawed and 3 x the price it should be ! No backlight was a fail in 1999, let alone 25yrs later FFS !!! I'd rather use my 1996 Palm Pilot & Stowaway folding keyboard !

Funny, you have so many typos with alpha and none with neo. Did they play with key pitch?

The only writing experience the designer of this thing has is writing cheques for his coke dealer!

Looks like a modern take on the Tandy 100. And not in a good way.

freewrite is way too expensive. i wanted the traveller but as i have a neo 2 i cant justify the buy

Send it bback

Very disappointed in the Freewrite Alpha. It is not an improvement over the Alphasmart Neo. This is not a progression, it a worse, except for wifi capability. All what was required is an update of the Alphasmart Neo. The year is 2024 and this product is a regression.

It’s honestly baffling how Freewrite still exists to this day when there’s thousands of 1990s Neos out on eBay for 1/3rd the price of this…thing and 1/7th the price of the first freewrite. The company is a scam as far as I’m concerned, relying entirely on hipster marketing to sell a niche product that already existed in largely better form decades ago.

There is no excuse for having a tiny, dim screen on this. They should be embarrassed to sell this.

who thought that this device was a good idea, for people that write (40+ for most part, and often with eye problems) on a regular basis, using such small screen and horrible keyboard?

I think the Alpha has an awful design that can't beat the Neo.

Tandy WP-2 from 1989 is more awesome than this.

Everything about the FreeWrite company is built for swindling writers. It's all cost-cutting measures, bumping the price up for its niche-factor, and ignoring the needs of writers. So disgusted with the company. I'm buying an alphasmart neo 2 off of ebay. Remember the OG was built to be durable enough so the children with learning disabilities could use. Does anybody really believe freewrite would build even near to that spec?

1:25 You can't be serious right? A fucking account?

I would return the device, the design is horrible!!