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I can't tell you how much I love my Alphasmart Neo. Designed by former Apple engineers and marketed through the early 2000s as a tool to teach children to type, this incredible little device is the perfect distraction-free tool for writers.
Want to be able to write (and write and write and write and write) with no pop-ups, no notifications, no Twitter access, no eye-burning backlit screen, no temptation to click over to the internet to "do research" or "market your work on social media," no worry about running out of batteries and nothing between you and the creative process except a wonderful clickety keyboard and an old-school liquid crystal screen?
Want to be able to write (and write and write and write and write) with no pop-ups, no notifications, no Twitter access, no eye-burning backlit screen, no temptation to click over to the internet to "do research" or "market your work on social media," no worry about running out of batteries and nothing between you and the creative process except a wonderful clickety keyboard and an old-school liquid crystal screen?Use the Alphasmart Neo.
The device runs on 3 double A batteries that last -- oh sweet writing gods -- FOR A YEAR. Designed to withstand the inelegance and aggression of middle school kids learning the qwerty keyboard, the Neo can put up with even your worst writer's meltdown. There is no WiFi, just a built in filing system that can store up to about 100,000 words. So, once you've written your two NaNoWriMo first drafts just plug the NEO it into your USP port and save the files.
The device retailed for $250 in 2007, but you can snag a used one now for under $40 ... that is, before every other writer discovers them and they all get snatched up. I have one. My teenage daughter has one. (We even bought a third as a spare. It's that precious to us.)
Buy yours here or here. You'll thank me.
(Oh, and if you want the perfect case for your Neo, this is the one I use.)
(Oh, and if you want the perfect case for your Neo, this is the one I use.)
