The Freewrite Traveler is quick and easy to set up and use.
It does provide distraction free drafting and the screen is easy to see.
Its size and weight make it easily portable.
Enjoying my Traveler.
The build quality is fantastic (as it should be at this price point), the keyboard is pleasantly clicky but quiet, which is nice. I wish I could afford the smart typewriter as well, now, for when I'm not Traveling.
My one true gripe with the Traveler's hardware is how the little lip around the USB c port has prevented me from fully plugging in some of my chunkier cables.
I do like the stripped-down experience in terms of distractions, but there are some features I WOULD like to see added, if possible:
- sync to notion database
- sync to separate google addresses (work/personal)
- see markdown-indicated formatting while writing
- what if y'all shipped these with some little icon stickers that can go over the A, B, C folder designations? I'm thinking of making these for myself
- journaling templates, or services that offer prompts
- a hotkey guide accessible somewhere on the device
All in all a great product, thanks for making it. I do feel a little shaken down for what the apparent components are, but the quality of the product is undeniable; maybe I'm just salty. I think a good angle for marketing might be a documentary about the elements of your products' production that too into this quality and make the premium prices so necessary. Thanks for reading.
I was hesitant to make the purchase. Let’s face it…it’s an investment. I am glad to say the investment is paying dividends! I’m getting my butt in the chair and have already racked up a couple thousand words on a story, not to mention a bunch of poems. Look…I don’t know how much of my increased productivity comes from the distraction free nature of the smart typewriter, or how much is due to wanting to make good on this investment, but ultimately—who cares! I’m writing again, at a level I haven’t seen in years, and I’m enjoying it!
I love the feel, the sound (my wife not so much lol), and how I’ve changed my way of writing to just getting the words down and not spending all that time ruining the flow by editing!
Thanks Freewrite! I’m an extremely happy customer!
Erich M.
Love typing on it. Was well packaged!! Looking forward to finally getting those drafts out without any distractions or giving into my squirrel brain anymore!
The title says it all! I can write anywhere, I can write easily, and I just write more. Keep in mind, simple tech will have simple issues. I have the patience to handle the split second delay between typing and seeing it on the screen (truly, not even a second). Also, I am always anxious about losing work, so I typically check the sync status regularly. Before I close it, I just recheck that the wifi is on and connected, and it syncs! Wanted to write an honest review and include these two things, but overall, I LOVE my new little writing buddy. My eyes have never been happier!
This typewriter is both functional and attractive. The mint green actually helps calm me down and settle my thoughts so I can get into writing easily with no distractions of emails or webpages.
I love this thing. I put over 15,000 words on it in my first week. I love the Keyboard, it’s excellent. It is distraction free, as advertised, but it does take some self-work. At first my perfectionist side wanted to backspace or back-arrow to go and fix everything. But as I’ve slowly forced myself to stop doing that, I’ve become even more productive. I have to just ‘let it flow’ out of me. My productivity as a writer has gone WAY up.
A couple of negatives, but these are far outweighed by the good.
- Needs a backlight. I had to buy one of those book lights for it, but that doesn’t fit in the case, so now I have to carry something extra. My best writing is done when there’s low light or no light.
- Typing response is slow. Sometimes I'll type 2 words before it catches up and I'll see the first word was a mistake. If I'm just typing away it seems to be fine, the slow response is if I'm doing something other than typing, such as if I have to backspace, then I start typing, I'll see a lack of space between a couple of words, or something similar to that.
I've had my for a week or so and used it each day, mainly for journalling but also for starting some more serious writing. Here are my thoughts:
1) The keyboard is fantastic. I've owned a dozen mechanical keyboards, an old Thinkpad, a new Thinkpad, several laptops, and worked on multiple office machines. I love the Traveler's keyboard. It reminds me most of the old IBM Thinkpad. The keys are the right shape and the touch just firm enough that I don't accidentally press keys. My typing is as good as I've done in a while.
2) The traveler is a great size. I can carry it with me easily, type on my lap or desk, and not have to carry a power source.
3) The battery seldom needs charging.
4) The eInk screen is easy on the eyes. SOme have complained about lag between hit a character and it showing on the screen. They are faster typers than I. I have not had an issue with lag.
5) The limited keys help discipline me. I'm not constantly editing as I go, something I got in the habit of years ago. I enjoy editing my writing, but it's very important to shut down the critic in my head when first getting thoughts on paper. A lack of capability to edit actually helps with that.
6) The cost is not cheap, and I held off for nearly a year in buying it. The big step was first committing to writing. I've attended a few writing workshops, and they cost as much or more as the Traveler and only last a few days. Each expense I consider an investment in my craft. Long ago, my dad poured a concrete slab in front of our garage and hung a hoop, a significant expense to help my basketball game. A Traveler costs less and the potential for me to continue to grow as a writer for many years dwarfs my basketball future.
The bottom line, ion my opinion, is that the Traveler is a serious tool that you should be committed to use before purchasing. But like any good tool, it will be a pleasure to work with.
I bought this to replace my Alphasmart. It’s good. It definitely discourages editing; I used to use the arrow keys on my Alphasmart quite regularly to rewrite the sentence I’m currently working on. With this machine, it is MUCH harder to revise anything. Maybe designed that way?
My only other complaint is that the buttons on the keyboard turn on when it is in my bag. The result looks like Frankenstein’s monster learning to type zzzzzzzXXXXXXXX sdhdfkfhlgjhljh;ll;lllll rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr <— like a hundred lines of that.
I would love to request a hard plastic keyboard protector to keep it safe. Gonna look at maybe having one 3D printed.
Overall, pretty satisfied!
I use the Freewrite Traveler for writing on the train and the bus. The small size and simple interface make it easy to get in some writing while commuting. Syncing to Dropbox works seamlessly for later editing.
I love this device, and I'm not even a writer. I'm sure this smart typewriter isn't marketed towards a consumer like myself, but I wanted a distraction-free device to journal and do some creative writing. Although this drafting option is pricey, what I've gained in return is invaluable. I'm pouring into myself by typing my thoughts daily. A bonus is the typewriter is so darn beautiful.
I’m a writer living with severe ME/CFS. I have hyper sensitivity to screens, so I bought the traveler in hopes of being able to continue writing without using my laptop. The results are awesome.
I love the touch of the keyboard, it feels like I'm slapping the words onto the page. I love how easy the screen is on my brain -- no sensitivity what so ever and I love how lightweight it is. It sits by my bedside and I reach for it and write all day long.
Thank you so much. I’m a huge fan. Hal
So far, I really like using my Freewrite Traveler. It has permitted me to get back into writing and I feel more secure on the “typewriter” style keyboard. My laptop’s keyboard and mouse/glide pad are far too sensitive and cause me a great deal of time making corrections.
Just great experience to use Freewrite for writing on my website and Social Media
The Black Keycaps are looking nice! Thank You.
I received mine and had to return it immediately bc it was defective. I am waiting for the new one to be delivered.
The Freewrite is a wonderful device. It has increased my writing productivity and jump started my creativity. It is a joy to type on!
It was easy to connect to my wireless network and connected to my Google account. Feels very solid like a real typewriter but bding focused on writing only iss welcome. Love it.
I had stalled on a novel I was writing. I was going down all these "editing as I wrote" rabbit holes of research and finding flaws that could have been fixed in a second draft. At the same time, I was finding all these inspirations for the novel I wanted to write next and it was screaming for me to pay attention to it.
I decided to try the Freewrite. The result has been I've been writing about 5 days a week. I've made significant progress on the new novel and completed a short story. By eliminating the distractions, I've been able to return to what I love doing: writing!
I also really like the attache case that came with the Hemingwrite. Makes it easy to write on my couch or on the go. I also carry marketing materials just in case I need them.
I've loved the alpha so far. The screen's a tad tough to see which is a minor annoyance compared to all the good that has come from it!
After weeks of waiting the text message finally arrived. Time to pick up the parcel from America. All my worries vanished and I was filled with a sense of stillness.
The Smart Typewriter was neatly packed in a nice box. When unpacked, standing on the desk, it looked smart and reassuring.
The keyboard shortcuts are a bit tricky though - but I'm confident I'll be proficient in a few days' time.
Typing on a Freewrite feels amazing. No distractions - just pure writing. It's something I've been missing for a long time. You are the best Astrohaus!
Thank You.
Worth every penny of it. It‘s like a magnet. Every minute I can't spend freewriting for some reason is painful. Like the lover to whom you long for, the longer the time, the stronger. Great device! Great concept!
The idea of a distraction-free writing tool was hugely appealing to me. When I was writing a novel for my master's thesis, writer's block and anxiety about that block hit me in a big way. Everything was a distraction--people, pets, loud noises, any available wi-fi. Since I bought my Freewrite Alpha, I wrote a 4000-word scene of my novel in just a few days instead of weeks or maybe even months. I'm excited to pull it out of the case, hit that button, and start writing immediately. My biggest problem is the temptation of opening an internet browser, and my Freewrite Alpha removes that obstacle completely (as long as I keep my phone out of arm's reach). Honestly, I have no complaints at this stage. I may actually reach my goal of finishing my current writing project this year!
