Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

my__name__is t1_jc49yzr wrote

I would love a device I can just type on without any other distractions that is always ready to go and I never have to worry about it being charged or updates and such.

218

itsallthesamejames t1_jc4aiig wrote

There’s this new thing they’re calling the “typewriter” that you should check out.

399

my__name__is t1_jc4i0lk wrote

If you can recommend a typewriter that saves digital files that is currently available for purchase and doesn't cost like a mid-level laptop, I am all ears.

153

Ninnux t1_jc4tjzs wrote

My Brother WP-80 word processor was exactly that.

55

M4NU3L2311 t1_jc5h7tt wrote

“Portable”

26

ContemptAndHumble t1_jc5kaxh wrote

Just hit the gym and really emphasis arms and core for that. It’s just that simple.

31

Cassette_girl t1_jc5sium wrote

reMarkable 2 EInk tablet with keyboard folio. Definitely not very long battery life but quite long at least. And definitely not update free. But definitely task focused and distraction free.

2

GigaPuddi t1_jc67xy1 wrote

I have the original reMarkable bought used because I'm a cheap bastard and even that one is great. I work in sales (fenestration) and it makes keeping track of things so much simpler. Being able to copy and past scrawled notes makes keeping on the fly things organized so much easier.

I also use it for Dungeons and Dragons and it is invaluable for keeping my character's shit organized and updated.

I've considered upgrading to the second but I can't quite justify the expense.

4

ChancesAreYouAreDumb t1_jc6z5cv wrote

I bought the reMarkable 2, and I absolutely love it.

I know next to nothing about the original reMarkable, but the 2 has cloud support, and it is so nice having all of my notes on my phone and computer, and I am able to adjust notes while on my phone/computer.

That, plus being able to just drag and drop books into the reMarkable app has redefined how much I read

2

capnwinky t1_jc6ggv8 wrote

Goddamn the memories. It made school so much more bearable. Don’t think I would’ve survived without it.

2

alexanderpas t1_jc4twwg wrote

It's only available used, but have a look at the Alphasmart Neo 2.

I'll quote a description from another thread.

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/ba7aq5/any_digital_typewriters_like_the_freewrite_that/

> [...] > > These things are dirt-cheap, usually $30 or less. They were built to use in schools and the like years ago, and most of them barely saw any use at all as laptops came out and took over their role. There are a ton of them coming up for sale on eBay that are as close to brand new as they could possibly be. They save files internally, and you can output them to your desktop computer by plugging it in and hitting the send button (it'll emulate a keyboard and type the document straight into something on your computer). There's also a program that can directly import the files, but I'm not sure if that program still works (haven't used it in years - send works). > > You put a pair of regular old batteries in this thing and it'll run -forever-. They last literally months on a single set of batteries. I'm not joking. You can type on this thing for something like 700 -HOURS- on a single set of double a batteries. There's nothing like it on the market. > > The keyboard is a joy to type on, and the device is so sturdy you could probably use it as a boat paddle and still type something for the next month when you finished rowing to your desert island. :) > > It's a device that has a decent following among authors. I know several authors who covet their Neo, myself included. :) > > There is also an alpha smart Dana with a larger screen that is similarly cheap (it's a newer version of the alphasmart), but it's not as legendarily reliable as the Neo 2 and eats batteries in just a few hours. It also doesn't save EVERY keystroke like the Neo does... and the old palm software it used for its word processor is basically unsupported/unusable these days, so if you use a Dana you -will- eventually lose some work. DONT BUY THE DANA. > > I'd also avoid the Alphasmart 3000. Those things are older devices and just don't have the storage the newer Neo and Neo 2 have. A Neo or Neo 2 are substantially better machines. > > Here's a website that compares the Alphasmarts... > > https://nowastedink.com/2015/10/09/comparing-3-alphasmart-digital-typewriters/ > > [...] > > Alphasmart has arrow keys. You don't have to edit as you type, but you have the option. > > Trust me, get an alpha smart. If you want a dirt cheap -typing- machine, there is nothing on the market that does it better. > > I bang out words for a living, and I've typed over a million words into my alpha smart Neo. It's not the device I -always- reach for (I sometimes grab my MacBook pro because I need something a little more full-featured), but when I just want to knock some words out without any distractions, the alpha smart is the machine I use. > > I have no complaints. I think I bought mine for fifteen bucks and it's paid for itself tens of thousands of times over ;). > > [...]

54

KiwiShortKing t1_jc5cwoo wrote

I had one of these. It's super cool but honestly not that useful unless you're planning to write a novel on the go.

32

andemyan t1_jc62gug wrote

Yea I had one too, but it was because my handwriting was so shit that the teachers couldn’t read what I wrote

11

financialmisconduct t1_jc4loep wrote

A Nook Simple Touch (Glowlight if desired) has WiFi and can support USB host mode with a kernel hack, you can run a basic text editor and save to a NAS

12

blahblahrasputan t1_jc5gxlt wrote

Put Linux on one of those ultra light cheap Chromebooks and gaff a few batteries to it. Bada Bing Bada boom.

10

HarmoniousJ t1_jc61kpz wrote

As someone who used them in school all the time and got free ones from time to time, alphasmarts if you can stomach the first generation storage spaces. We're talking something like a few gigs if you get a really premium model.

The screen is also something like a typewriter, only having two or three lines visible at a time.

If you do go that far though, there's really no reason to avoid a cheap laptop, which will probably be better in every single way...

3

GlassSupports t1_jc4wi4j wrote

Can you also recommend a machine that turns keystrokes into an electrical current that I can use for sex stuff

11

BellsOnNutsMeansXmas t1_jc4x4rc wrote

My Mom is willing to text you all night this Friday. I think technically that fits your definition. Let us know if interested.

9

vingt-2 t1_jc5v9zk wrote

Can your typewriter compile and run code?

1

Defiant-Ad412 t1_jc4ywdt wrote

You can get a refurbished AlphaSmart. Basically its a digital typewriter with small screen and a USB port. We used them back in elementary school.

20

amazingwhat t1_jc5275q wrote

oh my god i forgot about these… i hated the tiny tiny screen - how i am meant to write an epic story when i can only read one line at a time??

9

nikongod t1_jc5jp98 wrote

How am I meant to read an epic story when I can only read one line at a time?

​

Since you now presumably have a device capable of displaying at least 2 lines at a time, please link to epic story, I would like to read it. But not the potato story snoo linked to above.

3

[deleted] t1_jc4goiq wrote

There already are e-ink, single-function typewriters you can buy. Stupidly expensive and don't seem worth it at all tho

18

my__name__is t1_jc4hm4g wrote

I actually looked that up after reading this article and as you say, so stupidly expensive.

11

f15k13 t1_jc66tk8 wrote

I would love an E-ink laptop with a good keyboard to use for writing and Dungeon Master stuff.

It needs to be easy to read from, have a good keyboard and battery life, and play music. It needs an internet connection because all of my tools sync or are web-hosted. Also let it display normal color video out of HDMI or Type-C.

Basically my ZenBook 14 (love this thing) with an E-Ink screen.

2

AttackingHobo t1_jc7keeo wrote

Do you think there would be a market for a standalone writing device that attached to any keyboard, to emulate the function of those kinda typewriters?

1

[deleted] t1_jc7pv7g wrote

I definitely think there is a market for these things in general. It's just a matter of price. I would love to own a dedicated typing device with an e-ink screen if it costs $60-$100 and works just like I want it to. I think a lot of people would want that.

2

YeetingSlamage t1_jc4zme0 wrote

Get an MS Dos laptop

2

SuperFLEB t1_jc5d40e wrote

Or a Tandy 100.

(These things do have exceptionally nice keyboards for a laptop, I have to say. Not Y2K compatible, though. Watch out for that.)

8

nikongod t1_jc5kd2o wrote

Some happy hackers hacked the ROM and replaced the "19" in the year (which was static coded to display 19{yy}) with "20" some time ago.

What about leap years you may ask? The TRS-80 laptop family never actually did leap years, so nothing was lost.

If you can deal with the fact that they only have enough memory to store about 10-pages of text, they are pretty cool machines to write on.

6

tanfj t1_jcrnhj5 wrote

>I would love a device I can just type on without any other distractions that is always ready to go and I never have to worry about it being charged or updates and such.

Way back when, Tandy made a AA battery powered word processor with modem...

Perhaps a old tablet with Bluetooth keyboard as a modern version would work for your needs.

2

helmvoncanzis t1_jc5nr4j wrote

Check out the Freewrite Alpha.

Currently available for pre-order. 100 hour battery life, file transfer via usb cable or wifi.

1

seanmacproductions t1_jc7hxzz wrote

I use an Onyx Boox android e-reader. Stays charged for days, looks like paper so you get that typewriter feel, and really can’t handle any non text-based apps, so no distractions.

1

[deleted] t1_jc5q9qz wrote

Check out this new tech called pen and paper

0