I’ve used it to write about 1k words so far. I know my biggest concern / fear coming from a Chromebook was input lag as that was my largest concern there. I had heard some reviews that talked about that. I will say that there is no input lag that I notice. It’s awesome. I also find it really easy to maneuver back and forth and make small changes throughout. I still can’t see myself editing a whole novel on it, but spot checks before sending are a breeze. It is excellent at syncing with my Google drive. No issues there. I also noticed little to no errors once I send it over. You’d think that there’d be more, but I guess when I’m writing on drive, it picks up a lot of stuff that’s just minor and does distract from the writing more than I thought. Overall, I think it’s great and I will be using it a lot.
The alpha raven has been a gamechanger for me. It is very easy to use and just extremely portable and convenient!! The keys are easy to type on and the backlight is very nice and helpful. I just love my new alpha!!
I LOVE my Freewrite Alpha! Within the couple months I've had it, I've written story bits, journal entries, and even transferred work over from my old notebooks.
I love the idea of this device and was not disappointed with the execution! A portable notebook with hundreds of different documents to choose from, a backlight for any lighting condition, and a convenient stand for different positions? It's amazing!
Only thing I would like to add is that the keyboard is pretty loud. I'd be wary if your plan is to use this device in a super quiet place like a library.
All in all however, this thing has been revolutionary for my writing and I foresee many excellent stories coming out of this lovely little Freewrite!
2 years I’ve been pondering whether to buy a Freewrite and I finally went all in with the Ernest Hemingway Signature Edition. I’m thrilled with it. It’s my go to with all of my creative writing. The look, the touch, the whole feel is exactly what I hoped for. Thank you to the team at Freewrite - feeling your support and keep doing what you’re doing.
I’ve been pining for the AlphaSmart for about two decades now, and pining for the Freewrite Alpha for two years. It’s so simple, so handy, and genuinely fun to use.
great.
it is now the most beautiful item in my house.
I had been mulling over buying a new laptop to write with for over a year. Then I discovered Freewrite and spent a week reading reviews. I wanted to be sure it wasn’t just a gimmick. I bought one, and upon starting it up, managed to write 1,500+ words non-stop. The complete lack of distractions makes it so easy to live inside the world I’m trying to create. I can’t recommend it more, especially for those of us who are “pantsers.”
Wish it had spell check and navigation could be improved. But man, i write so much more without constant interruptions
So i write on it everyday, hours instead of hoping for an hour. Love this flawed thing.
I love writing, I’m also pursuing digital minimalism, by purchasing devices that help me limit my screen time. Besides the lag on the screen, this device has been a great addition to my new digital array.
I love my Alpha! I’ve had it for about a week, and it has changed the game. I am writing so much more. From creative writing to homework, I have seen a drastic increase in my productivity in writing.
I genuinely love my Freewrite. I stand behind its philosophy too — in writing, you shouldn’t constantly look back. But the truth is, sometimes edits are essential. A mistake can stall your momentum, especially when you know it’ll be a nightmare to fix later. The shortcuts and added arrow keys technically let you make corrections, but they’re clunky enough that it’s often easier to just delete the whole word and retype it.
Beyond the minor headaches of limited editing, I also find the complete lack of formatting options a little frustrating. Again, I get it — focus on the words, not the polish. But when you’re writing a screenplay, formatting sometimes is the language. Italicized dialogue or bolded details can shift the meaning of a scene entirely. It’d be nice not to stack even more revisions, especially as trivial as basic formatting, on top of an already heavy process.
That said, I absolutely love typing on it. The keyboard is incredibly high quality, and the e-ink lag isn’t nearly as bad as some people say (except when you’re fixing a messy typo mid-flow). I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Still, there are moments I find myself reaching for my iPad, just because I need a little more control over my words than the Freewrite allows.
If Astrohaus ever makes a new edition that added real formatting and editing options, I’d be first in line. The Freewrite has completely changed the way I take notes, journal, and capture ideas for plots, dialogue, and characters. I just wish I could use it for more than a rough, rough, rough draft. A device that could take you to the brink of completion, where you only need a computer for final revisions or delivery, would completely revolutionize the writing process. The Freewrite is unfortunately not that… but it could be, probably with just a software update.
We started with the Alpha. My kiddo (8 yo) loved to use my freewrite for creative writing and journaling. I wanted to get her one of her own. She got the Alpha Raven with the Backlight. It is so nice and lightweight, and the light feature is great for some late-night in-bed writing sessions. I tried to steal my kids freewrite and let her have mine. She isn't having any of that. She knows hers is the new and improved. We love these freewrites and I can see her love writing growing.
I had read many reviews on the Freewrite Smart Typewriter and watched many Youtube videos about it. But I wasn't prepared for the joy I would experience in using this wonderful writing device. The rave reviews are all true. Thank you, Freewrite!
The freewrite traveler is a great device for writing that I would recommend, but I have a few issues with it.
The amount of time takes boot is rather long and the input delay while typing can be obnoxious.
But other than that I am satisfied with my purchase
I travel for my day job. I have a computer and a 2nd screen for work. Carrying a 3rd laptop was just too much. The traveler is perfect for my needs
I went from writing by hand and typing it out on my laptop to typing on the Freewrite. It still has that raw writing feeling, but eliminated the redundancy of deciphering my own hand writing. My first chapter on the typewriter? About 11,500 words. I had to split it to two chapters. So yeah, this tool releases creativity so you can edit later.
The clicks are satisfying, the body is gorgeous, and the aesthetic just makes me want to write after I get home from work.
This is the most beautiful device I own, but aesthetics aside. I’ve done my most productive writing on this smart typewriter thanks to it being distraction free. I would 100% recommend to others.