I've got an old Psion Series 5 that someone gave me... fantastic for taking notes, and one of the best keyboards I have ever encountered on a pocket-size device.
I regularly use one of those Psion 5mx machines for taking notes. You can even exchange documents with MS Office and print through your PC. Sadly the PC component (PsiWin) barely works on 64-bit Windows so I have a Windows XP machine for this. Also you must replace the flexi ribbon cable on your Psion 5 after some years of use, but if you do, you have an almost indestructible pocket computer.
I have one of those that I use as a portable serial terminal. I've connected it, for example, to RAID units that refuse to talk over the network for some reason. Sadly, the tip of my stylus broke and it won't stay latched in its slot, but other than that, it's in great shape.
I still use my Alphasmart Dana. I'd use the Neo, but they never released a model with a localized keyboard for my country. They used to do it with the previous models, so I have a model 2000 and a 3000 with portuguese keyboards. I still use the 3000 sometimes, but the keyboard on the Dana/Neo is just awesome to type on.
Anyway, for a writer, the Neo is great. You take it on a trip and never have to worry about charging it. The keyboard is, like I said, one of the best you'll find, very durable (made for schoolchildren).
Plus, not as ugly or as expensive as the Hemingwrite (man, that thing is ugly!)
Re:USB Typewriter
by joshuapants on Tuesday March 10, 2015 @09:42PM
(#9182030)
Interesting. Way back when in one of my classes someone was using one of these to take notes. Now I know what it was, thanks.
I've said this here before, but I cannot recommend highly enough Alphasmart's Neo. 700 hour battery life, sunlight readable display (!), made in America, no moving parts 'cept for the keyboard (i.e. durable), plug-and-play USB, thirty US bucks on eBay[0]. Check out the Dana for a bigger screen and Palm apps (!).
[0] ebay search for alphasmart: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m5...