This does not address an important point made in the article:

"n this way, the AlphaSmart provides an almost Pavlovian space in which to write: Get the device out, and the brain immediately moves into writing mode. This is another reason why I’ve been resistant to software on my computer that’s supposed to compel creativity and productivity. Because I do such a wide variety of tasks on my computer, my brain isn’t primed by the space to focus on one particular job. In this way, my computer’s all-purpose abilities, which is the main selling point of most laptops, actually becomes a liability. But the absolute simplicity of the AlphaSmart means that when I bring it out, I subconsciously know exactly what it is I need to do: write."

Yes, you can buy a laptop that is as much different from the other laptop you use, but it will still be that, a laptop. Not a mere writing device. I instantly get how that makes a big psychological difference, even if the machine is crippled in a way that would make it "impossible" to do anything else with it.

So, it is exactly NOT about any form of possible reuse for other purposes.

> So, it is exactly NOT about any form of possible reuse for other purposes.

In one sense, sure. In another sense, it's just marketing for people who are unable to control their impulses and have a lot of money to spend.

> but it will still be that, a laptop

A laptop that isn't connected to the internet is a writing device.

There are numerous word processors based around this concept as well.

Spending $$$ on niche products won't make you write any more than figuring out a space to write in + a routine will. But people can't sell that for $400.

You don't have to spend -anything- to have bouts of focus for writing. Zero. Nada. But it's easier to spend money than to figure out why ignoring notifications is so impossible.

Could be achieved with a stripped down/custom os on existing device. At this point minting any more plastic is almost like a crime against nature

It’s not exactly what you’re asking for, but my solution has been a decade-old eeePC 701 netbook with FreeDOS. The writing is done in pico. To get files off, I need to reboot with a USB key attached. It’d be a dream if wordgrinder was ported to FreeDOS.

Someone could make a distribution based on tiny core and have it boot into bash, and only install vim. Then create a separate partition to mount as a usb drive to move your work over.

You could also accomplish this by installing any random distribution, then remove the browser and network capabilities, then change the admin password to something hard to remember and either discard the password or store it someplace hard to reach.

I was thinking something portable and immutable.

Like a custom LiveCD/USB?