AlphaSmart makes keyboard word processors which I absolutely slobber!love. They have a cult following among writers, particularly NaNoWriMos because...
1. They are cheaper than a laptop, even new (Except for the Dana new.)
2. They are indestructible, almost. I managed to trip over a cord and fling one across a room - still runs fine. I stepped on the keyboard of one. Still works fine. The Dana is a little more fragile, perhaps, but nowhere near as fragile as a laptop.
3. All the 3000 or the Neo do is word processing. No internets. NO DISTRACTIONS!
4. They run forever - and by forever, I mean the 3000 and the Neo run for months, and I am not exaggerating - MONTHS, on three double A batteries. The Dana runs on Double A's or a rechargeable, and runs less time, but still WAAAY longer than a lap top.
5. They do not need cooling pads
6. They are normal sized keyboards without number pads, not smaller.
7. They do not need mice. Which I must have if the thing has one of those touchy clicky things built in because they drive me b@tsh!t.
8. The Dana is also a Palm device that can take any Palm application, and has a touch screen.
9. They are lighter than laptops.
10. With a printer cable, you just open a Word doc or the equiv., push "Send" and it all goes into the main computer, where it is easier to edit...
11. Even if you do not upload, one Alpha Smart 3000, Neo, or Dana will hold an entire NaNo novel.
Having survived NYC in the 80's, I also appreciate the fact that while they don't look stupid, they don't look cool enough to follow me into an alley and mug me for, either. Not that I'd leave it lying around unattended - but I don't think I'd be targeted for it.
You can get the older white ones which had a different cabling system, the 2000 and 3000 which are very close to each other, the Neo, which has a few more capabilities mostly for special ed and a better keyboard, and the Dana, which has a nice clicky keyboard, all the Palm power, etc, on Ebay. You can get the NEO 2 and the Dana from the company, new.
The only one of these things I have ever heard about having an insoluble problem is the spotted cat's!!!
(The keyboard on the 3000 is still good, I just like a very sensitive and clicky one - personal pref.)
1. They are cheaper than a laptop, even new (Except for the Dana new.)
2. They are indestructible, almost. I managed to trip over a cord and fling one across a room - still runs fine. I stepped on the keyboard of one. Still works fine. The Dana is a little more fragile, perhaps, but nowhere near as fragile as a laptop.
3. All the 3000 or the Neo do is word processing. No internets. NO DISTRACTIONS!
4. They run forever - and by forever, I mean the 3000 and the Neo run for months, and I am not exaggerating - MONTHS, on three double A batteries. The Dana runs on Double A's or a rechargeable, and runs less time, but still WAAAY longer than a lap top.
5. They do not need cooling pads
6. They are normal sized keyboards without number pads, not smaller.
7. They do not need mice. Which I must have if the thing has one of those touchy clicky things built in because they drive me b@tsh!t.
8. The Dana is also a Palm device that can take any Palm application, and has a touch screen.
9. They are lighter than laptops.
10. With a printer cable, you just open a Word doc or the equiv., push "Send" and it all goes into the main computer, where it is easier to edit...
11. Even if you do not upload, one Alpha Smart 3000, Neo, or Dana will hold an entire NaNo novel.
Having survived NYC in the 80's, I also appreciate the fact that while they don't look stupid, they don't look cool enough to follow me into an alley and mug me for, either. Not that I'd leave it lying around unattended - but I don't think I'd be targeted for it.
You can get the older white ones which had a different cabling system, the 2000 and 3000 which are very close to each other, the Neo, which has a few more capabilities mostly for special ed and a better keyboard, and the Dana, which has a nice clicky keyboard, all the Palm power, etc, on Ebay. You can get the NEO 2 and the Dana from the company, new.
The only one of these things I have ever heard about having an insoluble problem is the spotted cat's!!!
(The keyboard on the 3000 is still good, I just like a very sensitive and clicky one - personal pref.)
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