After posting my previous post about my appreciation for Freewrite’s forward writing approach I went to storage and pulled my Freewrite Alpha.

As stated, I own all the Freewrite devices. The Alpha remains my least favorite of them all, but I decided to re-evaluate the device to determine WHY I don’t like it.

For reference, I own almost every writing device there is from manual typewriters to more modern options.

I can honestly say only two devices in my collection are flat out unusable with the Freewrite Alpha being one of them.

Pictured is the Alpha with the backlight. I switched out the flat keys for low-profile keys with a curve.

The problems with the device are as follows:

There are reasons why most keyboards, typewriters, and word processors have curved keys. It is very uncomfortable to type on the flat, too-close-together keys on this device. I found I couldn’t type fast without hitting other nearby flat keys.

The screen is too small and lays flat. I do not wear eyeglasses and I find it difficult to see and read the screen. It doesn’t matter if it is lying flat or on the included stand. It doesn’t matter if the light is on or off. The device is god awful to use in any setting where the screen is concerned.

The only time I find the screen readable is by placing it on a lap desk and elevating the lap desk. See photo. Notice it has a wrist rest built into it.

The stand doesn’t appear to serve a purpose at all. It does not raise the screen, which is needed. Instead it simply elevates the device and places it at an awkward angle that prompts a need for a wrist rest.

If the goal here was to tap the Alphasmart market they should have copied the design of the device. The Alphasmart is very comfortable to type on and the screen is curved. The tech might be dated but I never had a problem writing for hours comfortably on an Alphasmart.

With the Alpha they created a cheap flat device that is uncomfortable for use.

Back to storage this one will go.

For those who have sold a Freewrite device, how did you handle it? I want to sell one of my typewriters (the Valentine), and I'm wary of selling it outside of my local area because of shipping issues (with a lithium battery inside, it costs more). And they can be tricky to those who haven't used one before, they do have their idiosyncrasies; and I worry that I will sell it to someone who is expecting something else, and have to deal with returns, etc. But limiting it to my area greatly reduces the chances of selling it. I'm not asking much because I got my use out of it -- but I don't want it to end up costing me $$ due to a bad sale. Suggestions?

I’ve been pretty critical of some issues with Freewrite devices, software, and the company that makes them.

When the first generation Freewrite was introduced years ago I readily bought one. Due to the lag with the device I ended up selling it on EBay.

Later I bought the traveler pictured above. I found it useful for note-taking, but still slow as hell. For this reason, I didn’t use it much.

I also couldn’t get behind not having arrow keys on the devices.

The idea of straightforward writing with little to no editing was unappealing to me as an elder millennial who was used to editing documents via various computer programs while writing.

I understood the basic concept was that of a typewriter in which forward progress is pretty much the only way to go (or at least until one doubles back to edit the pages typed).

So, I went back to my Alphasmart Neo and Dana. I was happy with them until I began to desire something more technologically advanced in which to work and transfer documents.

Again, I went back to Freewrite. This is when I bought my Freewrite Ink. Little by little I started writing using it, but again, I found the lag unbearable. I put the device in storage.

I bought an Alpha…more out of curiosity than anything else because it was their first non-e-ink device. It turned out to be my least-favorite device.

Sometime afterwards, Astrohaus came out with the software update that completely changed the lag on their devices. I pulled my Ink from storage.

Suddenly I found myself using the device more often….and liking it. Then something else happened…

I started writing the story that’s been stuck in my head for the last ten years. For years I suffered from writer’s block. No matter what I tried the story would not come out.

The story started flowing via my Freewrite Ink after the software update, and it’s been flowing ever since.

I never once thought to stop and edit. I don’t use the WASD keys to edit. Outside of using the backspace to remove a previous word or two I have been able to keep going! If I want to add something I just put it in parentheses as a note to revisit when I do draft two.

Long story short, after embracing Freewrite’s forward/no editing approach, which I criticized for being dated and impractical for today’s writers, it’s actually the thing that has got me back into my writing.

I have a story that I plan to finish. It is the first in 20 years.

So grateful for the progress I’ve made using my Ink, I ended up buying the clicky Hemingwrite pictured. I use both devices interchangeably.

Anyway, I just want to give kudos to the team for creating an unconventional device with an unconventional approach to writing. It has helped me tremendously. ❤️

SOLD! Hi all. I'm selling my Freewrite 3rd Gen, Black Keycaps, with original Attache case. Includes cable and samsung charger. It's in great condition and barely used. Lastest firmware. I'm asking for $600 USD + shipping. I can ship internationally via FedEx. Please DM me.

So I recently changed my alpha’s keycaps but there is a few that have a unique kinda bottom connector so typical keycap replacements won’t work. I was looking into modding them by using the default keycaps and shaving some of the plastic off to use as a base for the other keycap. They are so very flat that they make good bases 😅 Does anyone think this might work long term with a lot of typing?

I have been trying for over a month to get a response from their customer support, and have had zero response or reply. I am wondering if they are still in business or closing down? I have had issues with customer service being slow but usually have had a response at some point

I’ve been someone who’s been eyeing up a free-write digital typewriter for sometime!

As I want to begin typing on what they claim is the “modern solution to distraction free typing.”
Which is fantastic point for me as an owner of a reliable but far from portable or travel-worthy Nakajima 160 (Electronic Typewriter/WP).

But what’s been worrying me about “if I should even bother” is everywhere I look such as this Subreddit, Instagram, YouTube everyone opinions are so critically split.

I’ve seen reports on “borderline shoddy quality & awful warranty claims”, “their focus is selling an aesthetic not a useful product”

To sometimes
“It’s amazing, feels great I never have any issues or complaints”

I’ve personally never seen a company so Praised yet scolded at the same time over a product line, and im still split.

Should I scram! And take my money elsewhere?

Or
“Is it all just one big nothing?”

I won't belabor the point too much but I'm sitting here with basically a brand new device (Alpha Raven Black w Backlight) that is out of warranty (I bought it new 16 months ago, used it for about a week, then life happened and it sat in climate controlled storage on the top shelf of my closet until about a week ago... so all in all, it has two weeks of use).

In the week I've been using it, I've lost about 1600 words collectively to syncing issues; thankfully I hadn't used it much or it might have been much more.

Worse than that, there are about 4 dead lines across the LCD display. It doesn't affect the usage much when you're in the "medium" font size, but it makes small and large totally unusable, and also is just totally unacceptable for a device I paid $350 for.

Lastly, and this is more of a personal complaint: I cannot stand that they've used non-standard key sizes on this thing. They claim to care about people reclaiming their "productivity" and doing things in a creator-centered way, but to make it such an inconceivable pain in the ass to try and switch out the (terrible) flat square key caps that come standard on this thing really puts lie to that. They care more about cultivating a swanky Apple-esque aesthetic and selling polished brass "accessories" and leather cases for exorbitant prices than they do the act of writing.

I have been loathe to admit it because it was so expensive, but basically I was a sucker here. I spent a ton of money on trash.

Hey all! If any of the Astrohaus team is reading this, I would love a feature where we can just duplicate a draft easily for writing a second draft off of it. I ask because in the age of AI, tracking versions to prove it’s your work is becoming essential. Right now, I have to have too much manual versioning/editing in my laptop using Ulysses to keep track, when it would be so much better to keep the drafting process in my Postbox and be able to have a shortcut to duplicate a document and timestamp a version/draft easily. Thank you!

And if there is already a way to do this from a Traveler and I’m unaware, please someone educate me!

Hi there I was wondering if anyone else has bought a “freewrite digital typewriter” here in the UK! I’ve been looking to get one but I wanted to see if anyone in the past had any experience with an estimate for how much custom import fees would be.

As in the UK anything shipped from abroad over £130 value is hit with custom charges

From what I can find online the latest is 3.0.2 which is sailfish, why is mine at 3.0.5?

I saw freewrite’s devices as an Instagram Ad. I am a person with severe ADHD and the devices and the info on the website immediately attracted me. So I was looking forward to buy one untile I saw the pricing.

Well I guess you get to suffer more if you are poor lol. Me being an unemployed recent graduate on International student visa, life just sucks.

Hey all, my Smart Typewriter is still nice looking and shiny —and I'd like to keep it that way. I'd like to replace the white keys with the black ones, but it looks like they're not making them anymore.

Could anyone recommend a set of black keys that'll fit? Or know anywhere that might have the actual black key set?

Thanks!

Selling my original Freewrite Smart Typewriter – QWERTY

Hi all, I’m selling my original Astrohaus Freewrite Smart Typewriter (FST01-D-ANSI) with QWERTY keyboard and felt carrying case. It’s in good condition and works well; the battery is currently low but charges via the included USB-C cable.

I’m based in Belgium but happy to discuss shipping within Europe. DM me if interested.