I feel the same way, and unlike modern tech that tries to handle everything at once, I like the fact that this is built specifically for one thing and one thing only, and it's very good at that specific thing.
Hi your review of this finally convinced me to buy one, I have used many devices like this in the past, last one being the Remarkable with keyboard, and the oldest being Tandy 102, I now mainly use a Chromebook, but lately I find it has a lot of distractions. I had thought of getting the freewriter traveller, but it's outlandish price is just not worth it, for what's on offer. I do like to write, but I feel that although there is a market out there for devices like these, the people who make them, don't actually use them enough to know what to put in the software. The Alpha writer NEO does, and that's why I ended up getting one. The only downside to this device is, that it needs a larger 80 character screen (E-ink) would be good, and a backlight, other than that, it's perfect. You covered the main points of the device well.
In case you didn't know, the company that made these devices made a piece of software called "Alphasmart manager", which allows you to save files directly from the device onto your computer without having to wait for it to type it out. Just FYI! Great video!
In case you didn't know, said manager software is becoming incompatible or too outdated to run on latest computer operating systems. Cross your fingers.
@@highplainsdrafter595 Thanks for your update, useful information that ! For others, okay so it takes awhile to normally download to a computer. Best is just to schedule some other task while waiting, have lunch or a cup of coffee. Maybe something low tech like read a newspaper. If it’s something really important, it’s a good time to watch the screen looking for typos, etc.
The Alphasmart Neo2 is THE BEST writing tool since the invention of the fountain pen. Nothing compares! I have 25 of them simply because they are no longer made and it is the ultimate writing machine. The best feature: you can write / type in total darkness and let your thoughts just stream into the keyboard. Great review!
Fun fact! Since it appears to the computer as just a regular keyboard you can also do thinga like plug it into a phone and it would be able to transfer as well. Or plug it into a tablet too.
If one has an USB C plug input smartphone do you just need to buy any data enabled USB C to is it USB a ? Or the small USB 2.0/printer head size ? That's pretty nifty being able to transfer to phone. Will it work on specific word processing software or anything open that has a text field you can touch into it'll output too? E.g. Evernote. Google notes etc?
My friend got these for his young kid to learn to type. I wish I had this back in University and Highschool in the 90s. I could work on my reports at home and then bring them to the computer lab for formating and editing. Computers back then were power hungry beasts.
Thanks so much for doing this video! I have had an Alphasmart Dana for several years but never got serious about using it to write. The Dana looks just like the Neo 2 but has the old Palm OS on it so it behaves a little more like a handheld computer. It does have the same word processor on it as the Neo. Your video has motivated me to get it out, put fresh batteries in it and see how productive I can be. Between the phone, tablets, laptops and desktops, there are WAY too many distractions. The Neo and Dana solve that! Looking forward to increasing my word count with my Dana now! Thanks again for taking the time to do this video!
In 1990 or 1991, my parents bought a Brother Word Processor/Typewriter that had a small LED interface like that, except it was backlit and monochromatic green. I was totally left to my imagination on that machine and I miss it to this day. This tool you have sounds like the closest thing I could find to that old Brother.
I'm sure if you search hard enough you might be able to find a working Brother typewriter somewhere online, but yeah the Alphasmart is easy to find if you ever want that similar feeling when you're writing 😊
@@IasminaEdina I did this! And the number of Brother Word Processor designs from that time period is astounding. I can't even tell which one was the one I used! Might try to build myself something...
The RU-vid algorithm suggested your video and I'm so pleased it did. As someone who wants to write but is very easily distracted, and having tried pen & paper and even stylus & tablet (my handwriting is atrocious), this looks perfect and I've bought one on eBay - unfortunately quite a lot more expensive than in the US. Thanks! And you have a new subscriber :)
I like what you said at 8:48: you never know what you gonna be in the mood for. I feel the same. Sometimes I just want to open a notes app on my phone and write without any pressure. Sometimes I want a full time in front of the computer, with some nice light, nice music, etc. Or this. Doesn't matter much. What matters is we shouldn't stop writing. Thank you for the video. You just made me buy one on ebay. I hope it arrives here (Europe) before Christmas :D
Hey, I just ordered an Alphasmart word processor for myself from the online retailer, Amazon! I can hardly wait to try it out. I'll write my own product review, after I've used my Alphasmart.
Hi, I hope you received your Alphasmart in good condition. While simple to use, these can be utilised in many ways. Firstly while not having foreign language fonts, any language with an alphabet from Russian to Japanese can be used by say substituting an English letter like W for the Russian Ш, G for Г, etc and then simply changing the letter after downloading the document into a computer. Sure this takes time but if it’s a big document it will takes as much time as for a small document. (I deal in a lot of foreign languages). On a more practical level the amazing 700 hours of working life for some 3 good quality AA batteries, makes it idea for camping ⛺️ or working off grid or the inevitable occasional power failures. Hope you enjoy your Alphasmart !! 😊
Love this. Just dug my NEO2 out from a moving box and started writing again. I learned to write on a typewriter and later on the first desktop computers (IBM PC) before the internet became the seductive time suck it is now. I find it almost impossible to write on any of my computers, all of which are used for my work as an graphic artist.
Hi, I just found your channel bc I was looking for writing tools and I particularly was looking for some kind of magical tool that can help me write before going to sleep. Because of my busy schedule the only time I get to write is before going to sleep but the problem is, looking at the screen wakes me up and I can't sleep, that really messes up my sleeping schedule. But this thing might literally be the solution!! So thank you very much for this!! 💕💕
I also think this will do the trick! The screen isn't backlit and it's very easy on the eyes, I also use it sometimes when I need a break from the computer screen. Glad I could help 😊
I love my alphasmart dana. It has a touch screen and the screen is a little larger. I use it to write my rough drafts and then edit them on the computer. It's my favorite writing tool.
These were never super popular in Australia, so I got 2 (yep, 2) shipped from America. I really love mine. I plonk it down at my café table, and people have come up to me to ask me about it … as if it’s the latest thing on the market 😂. Sure it has its limitations, but it is sturdy, has a great battery life (around 700 work hours), and is perfect off grid. Best of all the keyboard is AT THE FRONT and not squashed up against a computer screen. It’s perfect for getting down an idea, then later transferring this to a computer for reworking. And it’s distraction free.
The Alphasmart line had a secondary function, in that your unit can turn into a keyboard if you weren't just planning on sending the contents of your file. It activates in the same mode where you can hit the send button. That's why I'm getting an Alphasmart 3000 since the Neo 2 has jumped in price a bit.
Sadly, these have quadrupled in price. Probably due to the popularity of the Freewrite and its exorbitant/offensive pricetag. Still, even at $90 this is a great tool. Thanks for the overview. :)
YES, I have an Alphasmart Neo 2 word processor and I LOVE it! I think it's a much BETTER buy than those EXPENSIVE Freewrite word processors. Do you know anything about those?
I never tried the AlphaSmart but I wish I could. I've always preferred to write with a fountain pen and paper, it's how I'm most creative and get the most enjoyment out of the process. As for typing I enjoyed doing it on typewriters but always hated typing on computers especially laptops. There's something about those keys that kill my enjoyment. The AlphaSmart reminds me of my old electric typewriter that had very pleasing keys. I don't really get distracted while writing but having a nice small keyboard that I could connect to a laptop or my phone to draft and clean up my handwritten pages is something I've thinking about.
You're not alone! Gamers have been missing those keyboards for a long time and you can easily find tons of modern mechanical keyboards, look into it. There's different types of switches for them as well, depending on how loud you want the key clicks to be.
@@IasminaEdina I was really surprised to know about gamers missing them. When I wrote code the clicks used to bother everyone around me, I thought nobody cared for them anymore. I gotta find a small one I can carry around and connect to my phone, then it's just a matter of getting a word processor that updates between pc and android and maybe I'll stop procrastinating so much when it comes to getting my drafts onto the pc. Until then I guess I have an excuse not to do it 😅
I had an AlphaSmart in elementary and middle school, primarily because apparently my handwriting was not very readable. Because of that, I'm hesitant to get one for myself, as I don't want to put myself back into the school headspace, but it is interesting that this old tool is finding new use for writers like me.
What if your writer and you don't type I'm a writer and I don't type and I've been trying to find someone to type for me but it isn't possible in this small town I have projects that are ready but I have no way to type them I'm going to look into this tool to see if this helps me get on top of things if you have any other suggestions please let me know
About a month ago I bought Pomera DM30. Never used AlphaSmart but in my opinion Pomera is better. Smaller, more portable, more options (including SD Card, text coded as QR codes and others) and at the same time bigger screen. No LED but eInk (you can set it to black or white) which doesnt strain your eyes. Its kind of like Kindle screen. It's definitely more expensive though and harder to find. I think it's a great tool for travel. Or if you have cafe or something like that that you can go to. I haven't used it much cause being at home I just grab my laptop which is unfortunately full of distractions...
