Alpha Smart Neo: The bloggers friend
One of my favorite tools here in Bali is my new portable word-processor, the Alpha Smart Neo. I had a previous model by Alpha Smart which was decent but this new one takes it to the next level. The new keyboard is super slick and I can zip through an article.
The level of customization available is incredible. I can control the resolution, the size of the font, the speed that the data transfers to my machine. The NEO also has a function that will set the keyboard to register different layouts, the Qwerty (standard ) layout, Dvorak, left and right single handed for disabled people.
I can spell check, check the file size, character counts, word count, line counts etc. The NEO has 8 memories and it is possible to create and delete file titles, although the articles are automatically saved when entered.
The NEO operates on batteries which last for 700 hours. My last Alpha Smart did not need a change of batteries for about 8 months. The machine weighs about 2lbs and is ideal for people on the move. The manual has a ton of info on keystrokes that cut and paste text, navigate around documents and afford the user all kinds of control. The Neo connects with a PC or Mac using either standard cable, USB port or infra-red. a smart little gadget.
If you are a writer or journalist this little machine is made for you.
By Nick | Permalink
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Comments
The Neo has excellent hardware, but the software stinks. AlphaSmart should fire their software programmers, if they have any at all. The typing mechanics on the Neo are not normal at all. Shortcuts and navigation are nothing like a desktop word processor. Worst of all, there’s this annoying glitch where the text flow screws up. It strings down the page at one word per line. It’s really unusable like this. It’s no wonder this company just got bought out. They haven’t a freaking clue how to write software.
It’s really a bummer, because the Neo hardware is so close to perfect that it’s scary. How could they NOT write decent software for this thing?
I recently ordered the Alphasmart Dana wireless. It’s great with the obvious use for the writer on the go and has the added WiFi function to send and receive email. AlphaSmart is a must for any writer. It sure beats carrying the old pad and paper around.
My last keyboard is vaguely okay, but makes a clattering keyboard sound. It is a QuickPad H45 that I bought in ‘95. It has some other lockup-and-lose-files attributes that make it unacceptable as a tool to relie on.
Looks to me like AlphaSmart Neo is going to take care of some of those problems and have really great battery use.
But what about the keyboard of the Neo? Is it also noisy? What about the tactile aspect?
Thanks for any responses.
Anna
Yup, the Neo is a great tool for writers on the go. It’s cool to see more of these being used in Asia. I was recently in Bali for an ultimate frisbee tournament, and I had Neo along for the ride. I didn’t write much at the fields, but it was great to kick back at the pools (at the Villas) and hack away.
P.S. The Neo looks great in red, too…
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y127/vrf/isoview.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y127/vrf/topview.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y127/vrf/neoprened.jpg