Alphasmart Neo Handheld Word Processor with Full Size Keyboard, Calculator

Taking a laptop to work is a pain and I can't use the work computer for personal things. I also can't write fast with a pen and paper. I used to read or just sit around but the Neo has given me one guaranteed thirty minute writing sprint every time I work, with no distractions. It turns on (instantly!) and the words are right there. It saves when it's shut off. The keyboard is nice if you are used to a laptop (because it's small) or a mini usb keyboard. It's incredibly hard to navigate around in the tiny little screen or to delete (which is why I simply backspace), but that's good because it forces you to keep writing.The commands are printed right on the back, and prompts appear on the screen. It comes with a preloaded rechargeable battery which you have to disconnect if you want to use AA's (there is a coupling and if you don't know how to open it, you might need a kid or something). The cord is an A-B cord. You simply connect it, open your word doc (I used a docx) and hit "send". The words scrolled across screen like I was typing them as fast as I could, and the best part is that since I have a template set up in my word docx, it filled the template--spacing, indents and all. I was afraid it'd be like dumping a solid block of text that I'd have to separate. This thing is fabulous. It's just a keyboard with a tiny display (maybe four sentences), it has no bells and whistles, it doesn't connect to anything, it is dummy proof and bullet proof, and I did 1k in thirty minutes. 1k. That's amazing for what used to be wasted time.I don't know why I didn't buy one before, but I know that if it ever breaks (people say they "never" break), I'm buying another right away. If you are serious about your word count, or an indie who "needs" to put out new material constantly, this will ratchet up your productivity like you wouldn't believe. Buy one. Buy one right now. You'll wonder why you ever procrastinated.

If you know what this is, you know what you are getting, and what you are after. The one I got was used, lightly loved, but aren't they all used?Who knows what kind of life this little keyboard had. I imagine some middleschool or elementary kid totally not worrying about this thing, not taking care of it, and certainly not using it to compose writing with. Maybe they pecked out a sentence or two and lost interest.But it sits before me, almost in great shape. It works. It's durable. Someday after all the humans are gone, and the cockroaches have taken over (Wall-E?) you can press button and one of these will fire up.The screen is small 3 lines. It's capabilities are limited. It might have some other things on it, spelcheckl? But none of that matters, what's important is I can sit anymore, tote this durable plastic thing, stuff it in any kind of sack, not worry about it and when I want to write I can fire it up (boots instantly) and freewrite to my hearts content.That's what this is for. You cannot really edit on this, or do much else. If you know what freewriting is, you know the score. It's a way of getting your thoughts down. It's like sitting down at a piano and just tickling the keys, but recording your keystrokes. There's no way to really self edit and type at the same time. The screen is too small. I can't really see what I just typed out, but that's helpful to me, to keep out the temptation to try to edit as I write--which stops me up.Later, after the brain storm has passed, I will plug in the funny looking cable into a usb port and it will "type" (at high speed) onto any kid of doc on my pc. Yep it stores your freewriting, and then dowloads it be quick typing it into a doc. Kind cool.Most important thing: You can do this anywhere. No internet, no facebook, no games, no power cords!! You are free.Oh and the battery lasts. I've had this thing for months and its still going strong.I see it kind of like a typewriter, not a modern one, but something from the 90s or 2000s that still works, will work, and helps me do what I need to do-- the perfect tool.The actual keyboard is fine, maybe not fancy, clickity clack, but it works, it's not annoying I've definitely used worse.theYou can go on one of those project fundraising sites and find a more modern version of this for $500 (the "freewrite traveler, which is kinda cool-- now at $369). This does what that does, but its like $30. I bought two of these. I took it on a trip to chicago. I stuffed it in my suitcase, then a beachbag, I didn't put it in a special case. I popped it out whenever I wanted to put something down. It worked. I have dropped it a couple of time so far. It's fine. I'm sure I could break it, if I ran it over. But if middle schoolers in the late 90s couldn't break this, it ain't breaking.Oh neo.

I purchased this item in "Acceptable" condition with no additional description as to what that meant about the item, and think it would have been better described as being in poor condition. The visible exterior looks fine, but interior is corroded beyond usability. I know these aren't new devices by any means, but with the battery contacts in such poor condition this item is functionally useless. Even after attempts to clean corrosion will not power with batteries, and no cords included. Please better describe what issues buyers may come across with your product- I would not have bought this if I knew this is what I was purchasing.

Wow, I'm blown away by this! I stumbled upon these after seeing the $500 Freewrite and deciding I just didn't have the money to pay that much for something that is essentially a word processor. Then I saw these and all the excellent reviews. So the keyboard is very comfy, not slim and slight like laptop keyboards but actually pleasant to the touch and with a nice typing sound. Relatively light, very easy to start up. You literally press on/off and go to one of the 8 files that are also keys that you can switch between at any point. The screen reminds me of calculators, relatively easy to look at. Lots of commands from Windows still apply here. On the back is a handy shortcut cheat sheet sticker. It saves text as you go, so you don't have to worry about hitting any save buttons before turning it off. For $23, this is an amazing tool! Also, very easy to carry around and write in coffee shops and benches.