Holy cow do I love this device. If you like to get writing done but find that other apps, or the internet itself, constantly pull you away from just putting words down, then this device absolutely can help. No internet, no apps, no recharging, no hunt for outlets - and no wait for boot-up time either. Three AA batteries in a screw-secured back panel mean that Neo2 powers up with a press of the On/Off button - or the option of a two-key-press option if you think that in carrying out around with you (as you will do) might make you want to keep it from turning on by accident.
The screen is not backlit, but you can adjust the contrast. The words and symbols are those dark, liquid crystal ones you might remember from old calculators or palm pilots. You can adjust the "font," too, although this only means telling it how many lines of text you want displayed (max. 6).
There's no saving what you type, or even auto-save. What you write is just there, in one of eight files (accessed by a function key), until you either delete, backspace, or hit the "Clear File" key (the latter of which does give you an "Are you sure?" prompt for protection).
Open one of your eight files, plug the Neo2 into a USB outlet on another computer, and open an email, a text editor, a Word or Open Office or any other wordprocessing program, and hit the "Send" key. You don't need to worry about device compatibility, about having the right driver, about whether you're using the right version of Windows (or any other operating system, I'm sure): Your computer treats the Neo2 as if it's another keyboard, and you can literally watch what you typed out in the on the Neo2 get re-typed into your computer. The only downside here? The "Send" feature does enter all your keystrokes faster than you could type then yourself, but not by much; each file on the Neo2 holds 20-25 pages of text, and they get entered into computer at, by my guess, about 20-30 seconds per page. How I do it: type the first draft on the Neo2, give it a rudimentary gloss, then start sending it to my laptop while I go get coffee or take a break with the dogs. When it's all done typing itself, the file will be on your computer for easier and more thorough editing work. (Note: the file will also still be on the Neo2 until you clear it; sending it to another computer does not automatically erase it from the Neo2.)
Now, yes, this device is no longer supported by Alphasmart or by the company that they became, recently. But what's to support? It's basically a typewriter without the ribbon or paper or the need to retype things. And while editing on it is not as easy or as pleasant as doing it on a computer with a touchscreen or mouse, you actually can delete, backspace, cut, copy, and paste on it, unlike other free-writing devices marketed to writers now. Plus, because this is a classroom device, made for heavy use by kids, the thing is rugged as all get out, meaning that you can (and will) take it and use everywhere - unlike a laptop.
Oh, and it has a full-size keyboard, with keys that are just a little clicky but not a headache. It's really a joy to use. I just love this thing, and went and bought a second unit to give my writing buddy for his birthday next month.
When these really start to catch on, expect the prices to soar. I got both mine from sellers, through Amazon, in the thirty-dollar range, like new. (I could have paid less, but didn't want to get ones that had been very used - although I see now that they really can take whatever I expect to dish out. I just need to make sure not to scratch the screen, and I expect to be using mine for years.)
Recommended!
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Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2016
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Top reviews from other countries
Tyler
Cant afford a Freewrite?
Reviewed in Canada on July 31, 2019Verified Purchase
Dorothyanne Brown
best for distraction-free writing
Reviewed in Canada on March 11, 2019Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
FAR better than the alpha smart NEO
Reviewed in Canada on October 20, 2018Verified Purchase
Stephen Ray
The keyboard is nice and responsive
Reviewed in Canada on May 29, 2017Verified Purchase
Gerry D.
Daily word count: up, way up!
Reviewed in Canada on January 25, 2017Verified Purchase
