I knew the Alpha had multiple issues before it arrived at my doorstep. Thankfully, I didn't experience the wiping of the internal files, like so many had. I received it and updated it right away and never had any kind of issue with it (and I use it a lot). As to the screen, I think it is small but I use it mostly on my lap and from above, you can see the screen pretty well. I do not like to have it on a desk because the angle doesn't help that much. I don't think this might be a problem for tall people, but I am tiny and my eyes did strain a bit. I own a freewrite machine (the special edition) and of course that's a better device, but I really favor the Alpha overall. I really like the keyboard (especially) and that it is light and portable (it is like carrying and iPad). I really like the quick refresh rate and typing, for me, it's easier on the Alpha because the keyboard is flat, as opposed to the freewrite machine, which has the keyboard at an steep angle and I have to have it tilted, otherwise I can't write as fast as I would with a low key profile board. Another thing that I like about the Alpha, is that is real quiet when typing. I hate, HATE, the freewrite typewriter. It is way too noisy. I think it all depends on what you are looking for.
exactly. the screen is intentionally small so that you're not thinking about what you're writing. I have a Hemingwrite and absolutely adore it, but I can feel myself leave the flow state because it's too easy to tab around and make changes on the bigger screen.
That happened to me too. I was writing character bios for 3 sections, I had finished a draft and left it alone for a couple weeks. I turned it on again and it said "Welcome to Alpha" As if I had just got it out of the box! I was so upset I lost all my work. I tried again, wrote a good draft and I tried to save it to my computer but my PC couldn't find the file. I turned it off and It was rebooted again. After that, I put it away and haven't touched it since. I think I'll try dictation instead, voice record my thoughts and then upload it to Calmly Writer. Please let me know if the update got ride of that issue.
I was considering this device. Thanks for the review. After watching its not what I'm looking for. I'm currently using a BOOX note air 3 and a mechanical keyboard. Kind of the same thing but a better screen and not as portable.
I have the Alpha and the Traveler and find that the Traveler keyboard is much quieter. I was surprised how loud the Alpha was when I got it (that spacebar, ugh).
@@camo031 What's the point to spend money on this thing if you only write things that aren't important or that you didn't care about losing? Ill answer that for you, its a waste of money.
I don't think this is good for technical writing. Try to write something technical in Freewrite Sprinter in the browser. Not being able to jump back and forth is troublesome for scientific research. Also, you obviously cannot add graphs, formulas, etc here. You don't even have a good system for references. It would be a nightmare to write a dissertation here. Also, there is a cloud sync. I don't see the reason you would not turn it on. Or at least copy text daily.
Maintaining two operating systems across devices rather than the one may have stretched their small team thin. I'm sure they'll work through the issues eventually, these things take time. I'm a Traveler owner and regular user. I love to draft anything on it and it syncs flawlessly with Evernote.
The Freewrite and the Traveller both use linux under the hood. The Alpha however uses much lighter hardware with a low power microcontroller that's running bare metal rather than the linux soc they used on the previous two.
I cannot imagine any use I would have for such a thing. If I wanted to keyboard something, a small bluetooth keyboard will link to my phone --- and straight into Google Docs. Otherwise, Google voice recognition is excellent, and I can just dictate what I want digitized. As for customer support, you are a woman, and there is a low expectation that you will be technically competent --- no reflection on you, it's just the way of the tech universe.
I knew the Alpha had multiple issues before it arrived at my doorstep. Thankfully, I didn't experience the wiping of the internal files, like so many had. I received it and updated it right away and never had any kind of issue with it (and I use it a lot). As to the screen, I think it is small but I use it mostly on my lap and from above, you can see the screen pretty well. I do not like to have it on a desk because the angle doesn't help that much. I don't think this might be a problem for tall people, but I am tiny and my eyes did strain a bit.
I own a freewrite machine (the special edition) and of course that's a better device, but I really favor the Alpha overall. I really like the keyboard (especially) and that it is light and portable (it is like carrying and iPad). I really like the quick refresh rate and typing, for me, it's easier on the Alpha because the keyboard is flat, as opposed to the freewrite machine, which has the keyboard at an steep angle and I have to have it tilted, otherwise I can't write as fast as I would with a low key profile board. Another thing that I like about the Alpha, is that is real quiet when typing. I hate, HATE, the freewrite typewriter. It is way too noisy. I think it all depends on what you are looking for.
perfect for entering flow state
exactly. the screen is intentionally small so that you're not thinking about what you're writing. I have a Hemingwrite and absolutely adore it, but I can feel myself leave the flow state because it's too easy to tab around and make changes on the bigger screen.
@@elizabethc2496 what do you write?
Thanks for the follow up and honest review 👌
That happened to me too. I was writing character bios for 3 sections, I had finished a draft and left it alone for a couple weeks. I turned it on again and it said "Welcome to Alpha" As if I had just got it out of the box! I was so upset I lost all my work. I tried again, wrote a good draft and I tried to save it to my computer but my PC couldn't find the file. I turned it off and It was rebooted again. After that, I put it away and haven't touched it since. I think I'll try dictation instead, voice record my thoughts and then upload it to Calmly Writer. Please let me know if the update got ride of that issue.
I believe they just issued a firmware update to make the text more visible.
I was considering this device. Thanks for the review. After watching its not what I'm looking for. I'm currently using a BOOX note air 3 and a mechanical keyboard. Kind of the same thing but a better screen and not as portable.
@@CrescentRollCarl I'm glad it helped! I love my full size Freewrites. The Alpha does win on sheer portability but I'd rather lug my full size.
I have the Alpha and the Traveler and find that the Traveler keyboard is much quieter. I was surprised how loud the Alpha was when I got it (that spacebar, ugh).
Have you seen Zerowriter Ink? Not sure about the price difference but that one has an e-ink display.
I have seen the device online but haven't tried it. I'd like to try it. I think the keyboard would be too flush for me but I'd like to find out.
I just can't take the risk losing my writing when I am writing my dissertation. I'd lose my mind!
nobody cares...
Why would you write your dissertation on a freewrite LOL
@@camo031 What's the point to spend money on this thing if you only write things that aren't important or that you didn't care about losing? Ill answer that for you, its a waste of money.
Could be an Arts PhD and he's writing a poem about his favourite sock.
I don't think this is good for technical writing. Try to write something technical in Freewrite Sprinter in the browser. Not being able to jump back and forth is troublesome for scientific research. Also, you obviously cannot add graphs, formulas, etc here. You don't even have a good system for references. It would be a nightmare to write a dissertation here.
Also, there is a cloud sync. I don't see the reason you would not turn it on. Or at least copy text daily.
Maintaining two operating systems across devices rather than the one may have stretched their small team thin. I'm sure they'll work through the issues eventually, these things take time.
I'm a Traveler owner and regular user. I love to draft anything on it and it syncs flawlessly with Evernote.
The Freewrite and the Traveller both use linux under the hood. The Alpha however uses much lighter hardware with a low power microcontroller that's running bare metal rather than the linux soc they used on the previous two.
If I were sitting somewhere I would love to hear that sound...lol.
The screen should really have been sorted prior to rolling it out to market. It's a distraction on a distraction free tool.
The first thing you should do with any new electronic purchases is update the firmware.
It was, they release new updates as needed.
interesting!
Writer machine 2024😂😂😂😂
A cheap keyboard connected to a cheap calculator screen. It should cost about 20$.
Just get the Olivetti Lettera 35L
@@JJTech-life245 A very nice typewriter, but not a digital solution.
@JJTech-life245 ahahaha...
I cannot imagine any use I would have for such a thing. If I wanted to keyboard something, a small bluetooth keyboard will link to my phone --- and straight into Google Docs. Otherwise, Google voice recognition is excellent, and I can just dictate what I want digitized. As for customer support, you are a woman, and there is a low expectation that you will be technically competent --- no reflection on you, it's just the way of the tech universe.
You okay there buddy?