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I got a Neo2 a while back and found it nice for note taking. I put my notes in Pandoc Markdown and then convert to pdf on a pc. While the Neo2 has no GUI elemen

I got a Neo2 a while back and found it nice for note taking. I put my notes in Pandoc Markdown and then convert to pdf on a pc. While the Neo2 has no GUI elements, I'm not convinced that it's any better for distraction compared to an airgapped pc running Word/OneNote. Curious if anyone has tried the latter(which I admit is getting harder to do as my newer computers don't have removable wireless adapter).

aspenmayer 6y ago
Many NICs can be disabled in BIOS/UEFI. Laptops can disable the WiFi usually with a switch and/or keyboard shortcut. Barring that, the specific drivers can be uninstalled.
DanielleMolloy 6y ago
Those that have written whole books on it typically mention the following advantages over a PC or notebook with some distraction free environment: * hundreds of hours of battery life on 3 AAA batteries * readable in bright sunlight * instant on and off (you are back to your text with a button press, no waiting for booting up) * portability and durability (great for traveling and writing..) I have a 40$ (incl. shipping to Europe) Neo 2 too and do appreciate all these details. The manufacturers got a lot right. I’ve tried distraction free terminal writing on an old x200 and other old and virtually disconnected devices too before but it wasn’t the same. E.g. in a library or café, searching for a free and calm spot with power supply and no sunlight on my screen is a problem I don’t have with my little AlphaSmart.
- anthk 6y ago
  A pity that isn't hackeable, it would made a nice z-machine portable gaming machine.
  - classichasclass 6y ago
    Get a Dana then. It's basically a Palm laptop but a full-fledged AlphaSmart otherwise.
    - anthk 6y ago
      Link? Price?
      - csixty4 6y ago
        They haven't been made in years but you can find them on eBay for about US$60
    - fencepost 6y ago
      A nice modern writeup on the Dana: https://www.osnews.com/story/131180/the-alphasmart-dana-in-2019/ https://www.osnews.com/story/131180/the-alphasmart-dana-in-2... I think if I were writing fiction that might be a really nice option.
  - unicornporn 6y ago
    The fact that you can only write is the exact reason that it is such a loved device. If want to get distracted by the lust of hacking the device instead of writing, there are thousands of other alternatives.

aspenmayer 6y ago

Many NICs can be disabled in BIOS/UEFI. Laptops can disable the WiFi usually with a switch and/or keyboard shortcut. Barring that, the specific drivers can be uninstalled.

DanielleMolloy 6y ago

Those that have written whole books on it typically mention the following advantages over a PC or notebook with some distraction free environment: * hundreds of hours of battery life on 3 AAA batteries * readable in bright sunlight * instant on and off (you are back to your text with a button press, no waiting for booting up) * portability and durability (great for traveling and writing..) I have a 40$ (incl. shipping to Europe) Neo 2 too and do appreciate all these details. The manufacturers got a lot right. I’ve tried distraction free terminal writing on an old x200 and other old and virtually disconnected devices too before but it wasn’t the same. E.g. in a library or café, searching for a free and calm spot with power supply and no sunlight on my screen is a problem I don’t have with my little AlphaSmart.

anthk 6y ago
A pity that isn't hackeable, it would made a nice z-machine portable gaming machine.
- classichasclass 6y ago
  Get a Dana then. It's basically a Palm laptop but a full-fledged AlphaSmart otherwise.
  - anthk 6y ago
    Link? Price?
    - csixty4 6y ago
      They haven't been made in years but you can find them on eBay for about US$60
  - fencepost 6y ago
    A nice modern writeup on the Dana: https://www.osnews.com/story/131180/the-alphasmart-dana-in-2019/ https://www.osnews.com/story/131180/the-alphasmart-dana-in-2... I think if I were writing fiction that might be a really nice option.
- unicornporn 6y ago
  The fact that you can only write is the exact reason that it is such a loved device. If want to get distracted by the lust of hacking the device instead of writing, there are thousands of other alternatives.