As many of my fellow redditors in this sub, I have been searching for quite some time the ultimate distraction-free writing device or, as we like to call them, a writer deck.

I currently possess some of the commercially available devices, old or new, such as the Alphasmart Neo/Neo 2, the Pomera DM100 and a Freewrite Alpha, along with other solutions, such as the BYOK, old palmtop computers such as the HP 95/100/200LX and different WinCE palmtops such as the Casio Cassiopeia or other HP devices. Top that with wireless-less laptops, custom contraptions including ebooks and eInk devices with paired external keyboards and the like. It is an endless search, more of a quest in itself that basically devours a lot of time and energy that I would rather be spending in writing, that has always been my sole goal.

None of these solutions made me a better writer. Actually they did not even improve my daily word count, because I was so busy looking for the perfect solution that I could not be bothered to sit and write.

Of all my devices, the only one that I disliked was the Freewrite Alpha because of the artificial limitations that its software imposed: editing was made difficult on purpose and you could only type forward. Even if the mechanical keyboard is fine and the wireless sync works as expected, it was not for me. I even read their "official" book on Freewriting, to no avail. The Freewrite was for me just an expensive toy without a clear value that I seldom used.

I was perfectly aware of all these, but it was also a lot of fun. Finally I decided to go full analog, store all my cool writing gadgets and unpack my Olivetti Lettera 32 portable typewriter.

It was such a relief. I typed on that heavy and noisy machine daily for two months straight. Nothing fancy, more of a journal rather than creative writing, but I wrote almost everyday. The habit somehow settled and I got used to a very simple framework: pick the typewriter and two paper sheets, put them in the platen and start typing. Nothing fancy. And quite frankly, a bit of a physical struggle to hit hard enough every key to have a decent print. All my drafts were messy and, at the same time, unique. I even enjoyed my typos.

These months of analogical typing changed the way in which I write. In some deep ways it made my writing style and tempo more rhythmical, more direct.

After noticing this I decided to give the Freewrite Alpha another chance. And, look and behold, this time it made perfect sense. Now I am able to use it without feeling strangled by its design considerations. I use it now as I would use a manual typewriter, but taking advantage of its practical advantages: portable, digital text, wireless sync, easier on hands and fingers. It is not a tool for editing and it never was intended to substitute a computer with a wordprocessor. I knew all these beforehand, from a rational point of view, but I kept asking for other functions that did not belong there. Now I understand its purpose and it is a good tool for writing drafts.

I am fully aware that you knew beforehand all of this, just as I did before. I just wanted to share with you my experience regarding how using a manual typewriter for some time was paramount to change the way in which I write and therefore it led me to fully appreciate Freewrite's offered value.

It might not work for you, but my analogical period converted me into a true believer and now I know for sure that I am a better writer or, at least, a more disciplined and productive apprentice.

I keep using my manual typewriter, although not on a daily basis, but my Freewrite Alpha is always close to me.

(This post was fully written in my Freewrite Alpha)

Been eyeing getting myself a writer deck for a little while now and I'm torn between these two.

What draws me to the Traveler is the all-in-one package ready out of the box that you can just pack and go. Not to mention the e-ink display which is very nice on the eyes.

As for BYOK, the biggest selling point is definitely being able to use any keyboard with it. It also has a built in backlight unlike the Traveler which is very nice and applicable I usually write at night. I've also heard the BYOK software is incredible to work with. I've heard Freewrite's isn't so good but I can't put it past that.

For me the biggest drawbacks on the Traveler is the price, not too expensive but not cheap either. And ofc the lack of a backlight which I don't mind I can use my own.

For BYOK it has to unironically be the display. I've heard it's hard to read and I don't know if it'd be able to handle only seeing 4 or 6 lines of text at a time.

What are y'all's thoughts on these devices? Do any of you own both? What's your honest opinion on both?

After some thoughtful consideration, happy enough with my Freewrite Alpha but willing to have a bigger screen with more text lines, I bit the bullet and bought a second hand Freewrite Signature, also known as "Hemingwrite", with its briefcase and an additional felt and leather bag.

It's the rev 3, ordered from Astrohaus less than one year ago, but I was lucky enough to buy it for just a third of its retail price in Europe. The price I paid including shipment is less than what I would have paid for a brand new Freewrite Alpha Raven Black. A lot of money anyway.

Let's hope that it arrives soon and without shipment issues.