Smart Typewriter

I originally scraped enough money together to purchase the original Gen 1 Smart Typewriter which was a huge investment in my fiction writing. While I regret that I didn't use it as much as I should have, when I finally did, it was effortless to draft my debut novel. It was simply a delight to use and irrelevant of the price tag, if you struggle with distractions when trying to get into your writing flow, and relish the feel and sound of a clacky typewriter to help deepen that flow, nothing comes close to writing in luxury.

From the drafting process, I send all my work to Scrivener to organise and edit there. Quite frankly why Freewrite would even entertain putting arrow keys on their devices is an insult to what they stand for. I cannot fathom why anybody would want to break their writing flow to do so. That's what editing is for. I love the option to press two buttons together to delete the last word you wrote if there's a typo or you wish to rephrase a paragraph. This is all you need to track back and stay in flow.

All that said, my Gen 1 Smart Typewriter sadly gave up the ghost and would not turn on or update, so I had to send it back for a diagnostic which proved that nothing could be done to repair it. Now it has become an expensive paperweight, however it holds the sentimental value of having been how I successfully finished my debut novel, without it, that would have never happened.

The reason for this is that I, like many of its users, cannot find flow with a laptop or device that has distractions, irrelevant of airplane mode being turned on or off, it's just not the same. Having a dedicated tool just for drafting such as an old fashioned typewriter (which I used to write many articles on long-form before typing up on a laptop for publications) is just what appeals to me as a writer who enjoys what they do because it is an escape, particularly when writing fiction. Enter the original Freewrite.

However, I must admit I was very upset that to get a replacement for my relic, I would still have to fork out the retail value minus 30% discount on a new machine. I'm not knocking the discount, I'm grateful for it, but it's still a fair amount of money to spend considering that I had already invested a large amount into the company with my original purchase.

For this reason I spent ages comparing the Smart Typewriter with the Traveler, trying to decide which to buy and if I should save my money by buying one over the other. I also really liked the portability of the Traveler as I never took my Smart Typewriter out of my home because although portable to an extent, it's bulky. You can't just slip it into your bag and go, and in any public environment it draws a lot of attention from its sound and look.

For this reason I bought a second hand Traveler on Ebay which I have fallen in love with. (I must admit that I accidentally made the offer on Ebay and didn't realise it was a commitment to buying it if agreed. So before I knew it, it was in the post!)

But it's a joy to use. It works on the couch (the Smart Typewriter is far too heavy to comfortably use for long writing sessions like this or in bed, and I live in a hot climate so its bulk and design is not comfortable unless planted on a table or desk). If you want to write anywhere, anytime. The Traveler is the device for you. I use it primarily for journalling, a new venture which it has helped me commit to daily by sheer ease and luxury of its features. Being so lightweight, I never notice if I throw it in my bag to write away from home, not the same with the Smart Typewriter. You need a dedicated bag for it.

However, because of my success completing a solid draft on my original Freewrite, and wanting to get a device covered by a 2 year warranty in case, god-forbid, it dies again, I took the plunge after a good financial month, and opted to purchase the Smart Typewriter with the discount as a replacement for my old one.

While it was on its way to me I honestly thought I was going slightly mad buying two ridiculously expensive writing tools that surely do the same thing. When it arrived I almost didn't open the box, thinking that surely I should sell it because the Traveler is so good.

However something made me open it, and I'm glad I did... The Traveler is an excellent tool, yet its compromise is its keyboard. It's fine and gets the job done, but it is not even close to the feel of the Smart Typewriter. I turned mine on and started typing just to remember how it felt, and within 20 minutes, cold start, I had 2,000 words. A reminder that this is how I drafted my novel each day. A mere 20 minutes each morning, yet regularly exceeding 2,000 words in that time. For that reason alone, it is the OG and a serious writing tool for anyone who wants to channel their focus into the deepest flow state I have ever experienced as a writer.

The travel of the keys is perfect, the sound is a writer's lullaby for productivity and foc...

I'm loving it so far. I think the only thing that I wish it had was better synch with typing to the screen, but maybe I'm just trained on my computer. The focus it allows for brings so many more ideas.

Smart Typewriter (Gen3)

I want to thank the people at Freewrite for the Smart Typewriter I purchased.
Instantly I fell in love. It was pricey but the cost is justified by the features, the build quality, and the ability to free-write, with no distractions. I suffer from ADHD/ADD/OCD all the D's and battle anxiety/depression. This device has alleviated all that stress and allows me to exist in my creative moment.
This device is game-changing.
Pros: Cons:
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*Distraction-free writing *Price (worth it for productivity
*Heavy build quality/weight *Minor E-Ink screen lag (it's fine)
*All drafts are synced to cloud
*Premium Mechanical Keyboard
*Low-power usage
*Productivity increased 300%
*Wifi enabled (upload/download)

I've been working on digital minimalism in both my personal and professional life, and am the owner of a few e-ink tablets and the Gen 3 Smart Typewriter, now. I've found that it easily integrates into my workflow. I bring articles with me for research and note-taking on my tablet, and the Smart Typewriter for writing, and have been able to complete deliverables much faster, carrying the drafts home for editing in my home office. Really nice work, Astrohaus!