The
writer’s notebook is a venerable tradition, frequently recommended to new
writers. Some brands of notebook are legendary - Ernest Hemingway and Bruce
Chatwin used the classic little black Moleskin books on their travels.
The downside is, those hastily scribbled, handwritten notes might be more
accessible and indexable in a computer program, but who has time to transcribe
their notebook jottings? Should today’s writer rely on the notebook computer
instead of a little black book?
When you want writing-to-go, possibly with fries, a lightweight notebook laptop
is one solution. However, laptops are still relatively expensive, and apt to be
heavy and hot. That’s enough to make a pen and a paper notebook seem attractive
again.
So is there a compromise? A writing tool that’s light, portable and not too
precious to be risked out in the world of real travel? Something with a good
keyboard that isn’t going to give you RSI just looking at it?
The answer lies with the Alphasmart Neo. The Neo, a battery-powered word
processor, fills the niche for the impecunious writer or the freelance
journalist needing a sturdy writing keyboard that can take a few knocks. What’s
more, the Neo runs cheaply for over 700 hours on 3 AA batteries – eat your heart
out, laptop users! – and switches on and off in seconds. No more waiting for
everything to boot up before writing down those fleeting thoughts.
In Writing Magazine (November 2007, pp12-13), Victor Paul Borg, a travel writer,
swore by his Neo. As he was swearing by his Neo while using it to pound out an
article somewhere ‘in remote mountains of western China’, his professional
opinion carried due weight. Further research revealed a whole community of
writers who like nothing better than to sing the praises of their Alphasmart
Neos.
The Neo is a simple, minimalist keyboard, though it offers a thesaurus, spell
checking and calculator functions. You can’t connect to the Internet or play
Solitaire, but you can write in almost any environment! The keyboard is
full-sized and wonderfully quiet - ideal for writing unobtrusively even in
company. Some writers even use it while commuting, squeezing an extra hour or
two of writing time into their daily schedule.
Happily, the Neo is compatible with Windows and with Macintosh, making it easy
to bridge the gap between different operating systems if, like me, you might
move writing work between home and office systems. And after work, if you favour
the old nursing maxim ‘never stand when you can sit, or sit when you can lie
down’, with a Neo you can recline like Cleopatra and still write.
The Neo has a small built-in screen, slightly angled, and wide enough to view
several lines of text. Font sizes are adjustable and although the screen is not
backlit, text definition is sharp. No need to save every half hour, either – Neo
saves every keystroke automatically. You can open the Neo straight into the last
file you worked in, with the cursor exactly where you left it.
If Neo has one obvious drawback, it is the fixed memory capacity. Many writers
claim the Neo would be improved by having a USB port or a card slot. However, at
2MB Neo’s capacity is more than enough for most writers to get that vital first
draft written without letting the Inner Critic start tweaking and editing. In
fact, Neo’s miniscreen keeps one focussed on the text without the temptation to
format as one writes.
Neo uses a system of eight working files, which may be switched between at the
touch of a key – great for working on different projects, or separate chapters,
and ideal for writers who want to keep a journal or a jottings file of ideas
alongside their works in progress.
The Neo has infrared (IR) and USB for file transfer. (There’s a curious pleasure
in watching the text pour onto a blank page as one transfers a file by USB.) It
is possible to connect by USB or infrared to compatible printers, though
probably easier to download text into a PC or Mac and print from that.
The new generation of Smart phones also pairs well with Neo; via an IR port, you
can beam a text file from Neo to a suitable phone, then email it or store it on
your phone to download later. (In my case, a Sony Ericsson K800i gives Neo a
back-up memory.)
Alphasmart Neo is available from specialist educational suppliers, and from
companies selling assistive technology for people with disabilities. Comparison
shopping online is recommended – including eBay if you are looking for a
second-hand bargain.
In 2007, my own Neo cost about AU$540, bought new online in Australia. Of
course, for twice that amount one could purchase a basic Dell laptop with some
bells and whistles. However, as a trade-off one would lose the simplicity and
durability of the Neo, not to mention its marvellous, economical 700+ hours
running time for every purchase of 3 AA batteries.
If you are a writer looking for an affordable laptop alternative that offers
straightforward writing time, durability, portability and economical operating
costs, Alphasmart Neo is this writer’s choice for 2008! |
For Further Information:
-
-
For Neo in Britain – a Neo, USB cord and Alphasmart carry case costs
approximately £210 including VAT.
keytools.co.uk
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For Neo in Britain - approximately £185 for Neo, software and manual, AC
adaptor and a USB cable. This supplier offers a variety of Alphasmart bags,
from £24. batterypowered computers.com
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For Neo in Australia – approximately AU$540 for a Neo, USB cord, software
and manual, and Alphasmart carry case, including GST.
-
For information on Moleskine products in Britain.
moles kine.co.uk
-
Do
your own research into how writers around the world are using
the Neo:
-
For a friendly and knowledgeable global writers’ forum on Alphasmart writing
tools, look at:
www.flickr.com /groups/ alphasmart/ discuss/
For an
in-depth, 4-part review of Alphasmart Neo, by writer Mark Zeedar:
www.macopinion.com
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