Back in 2004, Renaissance Learning released the original Neo, a word-processing tool designed to eliminate distractions and enable users to focus on writing.
Three years later, the company added a few upgrades to the device and relaunched it as the Alphasmart Neo 2.
Like its predecessor, the Alphasmart Neo 2 functioned like a digital typewriter. It’s essentially a keyboard with an LCD screen that allows users to take notes and pen down words on the go.
The Alphasmart Neo 2 doesn’t connect to the internet or contain any apps or features that are not writing-oriented. It empowers you to write for as long as you need to without having your work and concentration disrupted by the many attention-stealing apps that accompany personal computers.
Since the device has a small screen, you can only see up to six lines of text at once. This encourages productivity by forcing you to keep writing instead of going back to reread and edit what you’ve written every few minutes.
The Alphasmart Neo 2 automatically saves your text as you type and process them into a digital file. It can house up to eight files of about 10,000 words each which can easily be transferred to any computer using a compatible cable.
Despite the features and advantages the device offers, there’s a need to consider other similar writing tools that you can use in its place because the Alphasmart Neo 2 was discontinued in 2013.
As a result, it’s almost impossible to get your hands on a new model and you will have to do a lot of online scouting and jump through a few hoops to find a second-hand model that you can buy.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best Alphasmart Neo 2 alternatives out there that can help you build your writing muscle and output so you spend less time procrastinating and more time getting the words out of your head.
So let’s get started.
Alternative 1: Pomera DM200
The Pomera DM200 is a perfect alternative to Alphasmart Neo 2 for writers who want a simple and portable writing device that they can take with them anywhere.
It comes with a full-size keyboard that uses a V-shaped gear link structure which offers excellent rigidity and stability, making way for you to type comfortably.
Unlike the Alphasmart Neo 2, the screen on the Pomera DM200 is much bigger. The 7-inch wide LCD TFT LCD screen allows you to see a lot more text at once so you’ll be able to carry out more substantial edits as you work.
The Pomera DM200’s screen features a backlight—an option that’s absent from Alphasmart Neo 2—giving you the ability to write at night or in dark places conveniently.
The device doesn’t waste any time to start up once you turn it on and it delivers several handy functions to support your writing efforts.
It has a thesaurus with four types of dictionaries, as well as a synonym dictionary containing over 50,000 words that you can consult when you need to find synonyms for a given word or confirm that the word you’ve used has the meaning you intended.
Also, the Pomera DM200 is equipped with wireless LAN which can only be turned on when you want to upload text files to cloud storage apps like Evernote and Dropbox. Or when you want to print out what you’ve written directly from a printer that also uses wireless LAN.
If you have an iPhone or a Mac, you can use the memo app to edit the work you created in the Pomera DM200 using the wireless Lan-enabled feature, Pomera Sync. The sync function requires a Gmail account to work and it doesn’t support simultaneous editing.
This means that you will not be able to edit a file on your Pomera DM200 device while editing that same file on your Mac or iPhone and vice versa.
Additionally, the Pomera DM200 has a built-in folding stand which allows you to position the device on any surface at an angle that allows you to type conveniently.
The device cannot be used to access games, emails, or any other apps that can drive attention away from the task of writing.
Also Read: Best Planner Apps
Alternative 2: Freewrite Smart Typewriter (Gen3)
Freewrite’s Smart Typewriter is a writing tool that’s been stripped of any potential distractions such as email, browsers, and app notifications to allow you to dedicate all your focus to writing.
You can just sit down and let the words flow without worrying about editing right away. And when you’re done with your draft, the Smart Typewriter will wirelessly sync and upload it to your preferred cloud solution—Google Drive, Dropbox, or Evernote.
The Smart Typewriter has the look of an old-timey record player with a die-cast aluminum frame and retractable handle for easy carriage. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself eyeing it all day and looking forward to the next time you can clank away at the keys.
It gives you a full-size mechanical keyboard that’s dust-resistant and designed to last a lifetime. The keyboard supports over 85+ language layouts so you’ll be able to type conveniently in the format you’re used to.
This device has an impressive battery life so the chances of it dying on you while you’re in the writing flow are low. Unlike Alphasmart Neo 2 which uses AA batteries, the Smart Typewriter is powered by electricity and can be charged with Type-C USB.
Also Read:Â Scrivener vs Ulysses
Compared to the Alphasmart Neo 2 which has an LCD screen, the Smart Typewriter features the latest generation E Ink panel which is easier on the eyes.
The panel is well-suited to any kind of lighting conditions so you can work outdoors or late into the night thanks to the built-in front light.
Also, the Smart Typewriter can store up to 1 million words, whereas the Alphasmart Neo 2’s internal memory can only hold around 80,000 words. There’s a document manager for better file organization and internal flash storage for automatic saving of drafts.
What’s more, the customer reviews for the product on Amazon are overwhelmingly positive. Users rave about how amazing and satisfying the Smart Typewriter is to use and how it enables them to improve their writing output and become immersed in the creative process.
They are also impressed with the device’s build quality and overall design and generally find it to be a great bargain for the value it delivers.
Alternative 3: Moleskine Smart Writing Set
The Moleskine Smart Writing Set is designed for people who want the beauty of writing with pen and paper without having to spend time transferring notes into a computer later.
Each set comes with a smart notebook with ivory-colored pages, a smart pen for writing on the notebook, one pen tip refill, and a magnetic charger.
Moleskine provides a notes app for automatically converting whatever you write into digital text. The app can be downloaded and installed on any device via Google Play or App Store.
You can share your ideas or email them to relevant parties directly from the paper display in your own handwriting. Once converted, you can easily browse, color, highlight, and edit your writing drafts for precision and grammatical accuracy.
Moleskine Smart Writing Set supports offline writing so even if you don’t have a WiFi connection, you can still create on the go. The device will automatically upload your drafts to the notes app once connectivity is restored.
An interesting and unique feature of the Moleskine Smart Writing Set is the ability to record audio along with each page to elaborate on your ideas or create more immersive presentations.
Other functionalities offered by the Moleskine Writing Set include an Action app for organizing your tasks and scheduling reminders and a Timepage app for syncing your calendars.
There’s also a Journey app for tracking mind and body wellness, and a Balance app for monitoring your habits and goals.
Alternative 4: ReMarkable
Are you the kind who prefers the traditional writing experience of pen and paper to other systems? Do you hate risking your work getting lost or ruined by spills and other unforeseeable dangers that can befall paper? Are you sick of having to type up your drafts after each writing session?
If so, ReMarkable might just be the perfect Alphasmart Neo 2 alternative for you. It’s a digital notebook that comes in the form of a tablet and marker.
It allows you to create handwritten notes, PDFs, ebooks, and to-dos which can then be converted to typed texts and saved in your preferred file formats.
Unlike regular paper, you can erase, undo, and rearrange sections of your drafts with ReMarkable easily. You can also share your ideas on a different screen so others can see where your head is at and collaborate with you to polish your work or bring it to life.
The device’s marker is fitted with a special high-friction pen tip which makes it highly sensitive to pressure and allows you to write naturally and effortlessly without distractions.
ReMarkable supports the importation of files and web articles so you can transfer any drafts that you started working on some other device and pick up from where you stopped.
The great thing about ReMarkable is that it’s compact enough to be taken anywhere so you can carry it with you wherever you go and write whenever the mood strikes.
ReMarkable offers you over two weeks of battery life with regular usage and a file management system to enable you to sort your documents and notes in a way that makes sense to you.
Since the display essentially looks and feels like paper, you won’t have to worry about the glare straining your eyes. You can read or write for hours in any light condition without needing to take a break because your eyes hurt or you’re getting a headache.
You can easily view and edit your files on the go and sync documents with your iOS, Android, MacOS, and Windows devices. Or even upload them to the cloud thanks to ReMarkable’s seamless integration with Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox.
Furthermore, ReMarkable provides Type Folio, a tactile keyboard that you can purchase alongside the tablet if you want to be able to switch between typing or writing by hand with your marker.
Unlike the Alphasmart Neo 2 which has limited storage space, ReMarkable gives you GB of internal storage so you’ll be able to write for years and store millions of words before running out of space.
ReMarkable also features a rechargeable battery that works with USB-C charging cables. Based on over 4,400 reviews on the product’s website, Remarkable has a 4.5/5 user rating. This shows that most people who have purchased it are perfectly satisfied with the writing tool.
Alternative 5: Freewrite Traveler
Another writing tool that can help you increase your productivity and eliminate time-sucking activities that can disrupt your workflow is the Freewrite Traveler.
This super stylish device features a full-sized scissor switch keyboard attached to an e-ink display so it’s easy to type with and provides a great tactile response.
The screen uses ambient light which eliminates harsh glares that can irritate your eyes and allows you to work in any environment you find yourself in, even under direct sunlight.
Freewrite Traveler has a file manager for organizing your drafts and ‘WASD’ arrow keys which allow you to easily navigate documents and make changes where necessary.
The device has a battery life of 4 weeks and once depleted, the charge can easily be boosted with a USB-C cable.
One of the most impressive features of the Freewrite Traveller that put it miles ahead of the Alphasmart Neo 2 is its storage space.
Instead of being limited to 80,000 words, you can securely store up to 1 million pages of drafts on the device and back up your files to the cloud using WiFi connectivity.
Additionally, Freewrite Traveler supports over 60 languages and 85+ alternative keyboard layouts other than QWERTY, including AZERTY, DVORAK, QWERTZ, and more.
Freewrite Traveler only weighs 1.6 lb, so it’s lighter than Alphasmart Neo 2 and can easily be carried with you everywhere so you can always write whenever a wave of inspiration hits you.
This tool has a 4.69/5 user rating based on 344 reviews on its landing page, most of which are 5-star reviews.
This clearly indicates that the majority of customers have nothing but compliments and praise to give the Freewrite Traveler so you’re likely going to be satisfied if you take the leap and purchase it.
Also Read: Padlet vs Jamboard
Alternative 6: Mobiscribe Wave
Mobiscribe Wave is for people who want a writing tool that allows them to retain a sense of individuality in the creative process while also encouraging them to focus and be productive.
The Mobiscribe Wave is an e-ink tablet that’s designed to provide you with an intimate writing, reading, and drawing experience that feels as natural as using pen and paper.
It comes with a 7.8-inch glare-free paperwhite display screen that you can write directly on using the included stylus pen.
The 4096 level pressure-sensitive screen supports realistic and responsive writing so you’ll be able to see the words appear as quickly as you write them.
You can also adjust the color temperature and brightness of the display to suit your mood or environment. Once you’re done working on a draft, you can convert the handwritten text to digital text, and organize them into folders so your notes are easy to find.
Mobiscribe Wave has a Wifi connection for importing your books and documents or backing up your work to the cloud—Evernote, Dropbox, and MobiCloud.
The tool also gives you the ability to add layers to your drafts to keep track of how your ideas are progressing.
One of the chief selling points of Mobiscribe Wave that sets it apart from Alphasmart Neo 2 is that it is completely waterproof.
You can bring it with you to the beach or pool to get some focused writing or reading done while you relax without worrying about the device getting damaged by moisture.
What’s more, Mobiscribe Wave comes with Bluetooth connectivity and in-built speakers so you can listen to audiobooks and podcasts or play music as you write if that’s your style.
Mobiscribe Wave also doubles as a scheduling tool so you can use it to add events to your calendar and set notifications for them so you don’t miss an important deadline or meeting.
Alternative 7: Alpha
Freewrite’s Alpha is a writing tool inspired by the now-discontinued line of Alphasmart products. It is created to help you take a more disciplined approach to writing by forcing you to concentrate on the task and nothing else.
Think of it as the modern, sleeker, and cooler version of Alphasmart Neo 2. Like the Neo 2, it prioritizes focusing on getting the draft out and then editing later so you don’t get stuck in a web of perfection.
Alpha doesn’t come with any social media, communication, or entertainment apps so you won’t be getting any notifications that might compel you to leave the creative zone before you reach your writing goals.
It features a full-size keyboard with Kailh chocV2 low profile switches for reduced finger fatigue and a small reflective monochromatic FSTN LCD screen that displays up to 6 lines of text at a go.
The screen is blue light and glare-free so it won’t strain your eyes as much. It provides optimal writing and viewing conditions whether you are using the device indoors or in direct light.
Alpha constantly saves your drafts to the device as you work and then syncs it to your preferred cloud solution when you connect to a WiFi network. Its internal memory can save over 1 million pages and you can also transfer documents offline using a USB cable.
Also Read: ChatSonic vs ChatGPT
The Alpha device is ergonomically designed to enable you to type and view the screen comfortably without ruining your posture. It’s also featherlight so you can take it with you anywhere and write anytime you want, day or night.
The tool includes a few handy functions like a word count to help you keep track of the length of your draft and a read time that tells you how long it’ll take to read the draft. It even has a timer you can use to monitor the duration of your writing sessions.
With 100 hours of battery life and internal storage that can hold up to 1 million pages, you can get a ton of writing done with your Alpha.
After exceeding its crowdfunding campaign goal by 1686%, Alpha is scheduled to go into mass production in September and start shipping to buyers in October 2023. So you can join the thousands of buyers who have already pre-ordered the device.
Recap – Best Alternative to Alphasmart Neo 2
There are quite a number of snazzy distraction-free writing devices out there that can be substituted for Alphasmart Neo 2 and used to kick writer’s block and procrastination out of the window.
Although they share a singular purpose and offer similar benefits, each Alphasmart Neo 2 alternative brings its own unique characteristics to the table.
If you prefer the convenience and elegance of writing by hand, the Mobiscribe Wave, Moleskine Writing Set, and Remarkable are excellent options that will cater to your style and nurture your creative process.
Those who prefer more sophisticated and stylish writing devices that support keyboard typing can count on the versatility and portability of options like the Alpha, Freewrite Traveler, Pomera DM200, and Smart Typewriter.
On top of all, consider your preferences, budget, and the distinctive features of each writing device, and select the option that’s perfectly suited to your needs. It will empower you to bring your ideas to life in the most convenient way possible.
Scott L. Macarthur is a marketing consultant and an online author. He is mostly engaged in providing his expertise to startups and SMBs. He is also an author on TheNextWeb.