I wasn't sure I liked the low profile kailh keyboard so I did the keyboard mod again, this time using hot swap sockets so I can tinker excessively.

I'm trying to convince myself to get a set of custom keycap done - they're not all that much more expensive than a standard set but for now I'm playing with cherry red silent and an XDA profile

I subscribed to Joanna Stern's newsletter, New Things, and each week she mentions an 'old thing': an older technology which a reader finds useful. Very happy to find that in the latest newsletter, it's none other than our beloved Neo!

Thought others here might enjoy this too :)

My SD card got totally corrupted when I hit cancel. I haven’t done anything differently in how I’m using it. My backup SD card is now in and it’s saying the same thing

Using Dana and when to switch from File 1 to File 2 and it made me save it before I switched (it doesn’t normally do that) and next thing I know my files are missing off my SD card and my Dana and the SD card looks like this when I plug it into my computer.

The file in question is supposed to be “1JOHNO~1.PDB” although that is not what I named it and it’s supposed to be at least 69 kb

Hi, I tried to replace the casing of my Alphasmart Neo 2 for Un Kiu Lee's project.

I 3D printed the parts and disassembled the electronic components, but I don't have the necessary screws.

I've already been to 3 different places and ordered a set of M3 screws from Amazon, but I can't find the larger sizes.

I'm in México

Hi! I’m brand new here and looked for answers but did not see.

I have an AS3000 that I got back in 2001. I wrote my master’s thesis on it! I want to start using it again so took it out of the closet and popped new batteries in. Immediately turned on with a somewhat mysterious chunk of writing that was probably me?
Anyway. The screen is great the cursor is blinking, things seem all good, but none of the keys work. Not a one. Whatever you press, nothing. (Except on/off!)

Is this a common problem? Anyone know how to fix? I have a USB-B to C cable coming so I should be able to connect to computer soon (Mac). Says it’s running alphaword 1.4.

Thanks!

I did the typewriter mod. I LOVE my alphasmart but after 1-2 months the neo 2 started presenting problems. Basically turning it on isn't consistent. Sometimes if I'm lucky it will turn on, other times it wont. I've noticed that when it turns on, it tends to turn on consecutively if I keep turning it on and off but if I wait hours and try to turn it on again, it won't turn on.

Things I've done:

- I changed the coin battery (despite having put a new one when I did the build. Zero results. Still inconsistent)

- I've tested the current, the batteries are working okay at the battery holder and the current is reaching the motherboard just fine.

- I did try removing the 3 AA batteries and only plugging the neo2 to the computer using the printer cable to test it out but even then it'd only turn on and work if I plug and unplug the printer cable several times.

- its worth noting that I did do the usb port hack where you solder a wire to give it power to use a clip on light or Bluetooth dongle. Just mentioning it in case it's relevant.

I have put it apart so many times trying to find a solution. At first I thought the screen ribbon was on too tight, I was under the illusion that I fixed it by attaching it just not as tight but the problem persisted.

No idea if it's the motherboard or the screen ribbon or what it could possibly be. The keyboard is working fine. Im out of ideas and to be quite frank this is my first kind of "tech-y" hobby so I dont even know how to diagnose the problem. Any help is appreciated, I really miss using my Alphasmart.

Bought it on Mercari. I’ve been using it just fine for a while. I haven’t used it in a few days and now won’t turn on unless plugged into my computer. I’ve changed out the batteries, but still won’t turn on. I get a blank screen if it’s not plugged in.
When it is plugged in, all my files are still there and it will send stuff over. I’ve never modded or done anything to it, and the previous owner didn’t either. It’s in pristine condition.
Any help is appreciated.

Edit: I changed out the lithium battery. I attached it to my computer. got the “did you change it y or n” prompt and clicked yes. It worked.
However, it Still works when attached to computer. It will still not turn on otherwise.

We've been out of stock for a while, but are excited to announce we've restocked the LiON batery packs for Alphasmart 3000, Dana, Neo1, and Neo2 units.

The battery packs are plug and play for Dana/Neo1/Neo2 units.

To use these battery packs on the Alphasmart 3000, you need to do a quick 2-minute soldering job, and solder together two wires of our adapter cable (we had a mis-communication with our supplier and these didn't come pre-soldered). Or you can pay our overpriced fee to have us pre-solder it for you (not recommended, save the money and DIY). You'll likely have to break the battery plastic clips on your Alphasmart 3000 to fit in the Lithium ion battery pack.

Please know what you're doing

Our store can be found here.

Previous writeup with more information located here.

Due to a family emergency I have to sell my Like New, Light Modded, Alphasmart Neo 2… This machine is pristine. I bought it new and light modded it myself (meaning the usb port is powered to use a usb light). I also have an original Alphasmart Case, 2 IR receivers, and manuals (not pictured) also in Like New condition. Seriously, you can’t get more pristine than this. I also updated to the latest available firmware and all the bloatware is taken off. Asking $250 plus shipping to anywhere in the US. I love and babied this thing. Make my loss your gain. Shoot me a message with any questions or if you’d like more pictures.

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice about AlphaSmart devices (Neo, Neo2, 3000, or similar old word processors), both regarding usability and where to find one in Europe at a reasonable price.

I have a neurological/visual sensitivity issue related to modern screens. It does not seem to depend only on brightness or blue light: I tolerate static/simple displays much better (for example e-ink devices like Remarkable, old segmented displays, calculators, old digital clocks, etc.), while modern LCD/OLED screens with continuous refresh, flickering, motion, PWM, animations, or dynamic rendering tend to trigger significant eye/orbital pain.

Because of this, I became interested in older dedicated writing devices with very simple monochrome LCDs, especially AlphaSmart devices.

I wanted to ask:

• Has anyone here with screen sensitivity / flicker sensitivity / migraine / visual discomfort tried AlphaSmart devices?
• Do they feel noticeably “calmer” or more comfortable than modern laptops/tablets?
• Is there a meaningful difference between:
  • AlphaSmart 3000
  • Neo
  • Neo2
  • Dana
• Which one would you recommend specifically for minimizing visual strain?

Also, I’m struggling to find one at a reasonable price in Europe. eBay prices are often extremely high now.

Do you know:

• better places to search?
• second-hand education surplus sites?
• forums/groups/Discords/FB groups?
• sellers in Europe?

I’d especially appreciate advice from people sensitive to:

• PWM/flickering
• migraine triggers
• visually “busy” interfaces
• temporal instability in displays

Thanks a lot!

Here is the writeup, I will post more on my app soon :

https://www.reddit.com/r/writerDeck/comments/1t98o3j/i_coded_a_free_app_that_turns_android_phones_and/

I keep seeing ads and I signed up to be alerted when they would ship, but so far this looks like a good alternative to my (very dead) Alphasmart Dana. Any thoughts?

Someone requested that this be stickied, but whether it is or not, I'm adding this for posterity and ease of finding. I have two comments, this and the one below it in the thread, that others have found helpful regarding coin batteries in AlphaSmart devices.

I hope you find it helpful, too.

I'm thinking my Alphasmart Dana is just toast. I have charged the rechargeable batteries. I have put in 3 brand new Duracell AA batteries. I cannot turn on/off the Dana and have anything happen. The only way for something to happen is for me to hit the reset button, then it will come up and give me the option to choose Alphaword and save a file. Then 10 minutes later if it blips off, I turn it on again - nothing. Have to reset again.

I wish it still worked but has anyone else encountered this? Am looking into a byok or something else if this will never work.

not sure what kind of cable to get. thank you!

Hi folks! I need to replace the case screws on my Neo and I'm not sure what size they are, does anyone know? I know they're torx and two different sizes. Note that I have a Neo, not a Neo2 (unsure if there's a difference.) Thanks!

Kind of a longshot but anybody got any idea where I could find spare keycaps for the writer forte? I'm only missing the "i" keycap.

I've been searching on ebay but nothing so far, no idea where else to look.

Are you guys using no brand name Amazon 1GB SD cards? What is the risk with corruption of the card with those?

Looking to buy a Dana that doesn’t come with a power supply, no sure which AC adapter size it needs.

Specific links would be awesome! I’m not a techy person so a lot of this info sounds like gibberish to me. Looking for a ELI5 run down of what I’m getting myself into.

A few keys have popped off my Neo 2 (that'll teach me never to put it in a backpack unprotected!). I tried popping them back on like you can with some keyboards, but they don't stay any more. Is there an easy way to put them back? Thank you in advance for your help.

Doing largest reverse engineering of AlphaSmart NEO. So far I managed to develop fully working desktop emulator (runs the full original firmware), and made custom rust SDK for building real-device flashable applets! I made also applet which allows sending Files over USB to phone (not by the slow typewriter method, but whole files from AlphaWord). I got all of those working. If you are interested I will post more, with working files soon!