A look at the Freewrite Smart Typewriter ~ Ink Edition

This video is a bit different than my others lately, as it has no gaming significance. But just like when I make a video on books or other random topics, I simply enjoy talking about other interests. In this video, we look at the Freewrite Smart Typewriter, a dedicated and distraction-free writing device meant to replicate the appeal of a mechanical typewriter. I introduce the product, talk about why I purchased one, and share some early impressions. Though the device is intended for authors, I intend to use it mostly for blogging, journalling, and drafting early essay ideas.
If you are interested in the Freewrite products, you can check them out here: getfreewrite.com.

[@damonpthomas]

Thanks for the great video. Your Freewrite looks extremely slick. I like the ink edition, but the black letters on the keys seem like they may make typing harder, especially in lower light. The same exact thing but with white letters on black key caps would be my preference. Like you, I'm not a novelist but do have to write academic papers on a regular basis and the distraction-free promise of the Freewrite is very tempting. It's good to hear that someone who's not the intended audience picked one up and has no regrets. I'm hoping to get one this year (fingers crossed it's not too tricky getting it sent to Australia). Thanks again and good luck with the new purchase!

[@ScholarsRest]

I’ll be honest, the keys on the Ink Edition are near impossible to read. So if you are someone who likes to look at the keys while typing, even occasionally, you might not like this edition of the Freewrite. But I agree with your assessment, the Ink Edition looks great! ☺️

[@damonpthomas]

Hi again. Thanks for the reply. I ended up springing for the Traveler Ghost Edition. There are no videos of the Ghost on KZbin so I'm excited to see what it's like and might even post my own video of it for anyone else who might be interested. Not having the backlit screen (or is it front lit?) is sure to suck, but there are definite benefits of the Traveler series like the portability and quieter keys if you're likely to use it for work with people around. Anyway, thanks again!

[@misstvland]

I just ordered mine - I'm an aspiring writer and lucky enough to have the discretionary income to afford to get one of these shipped to me in Australia. I wasn't interested in other editions (standard/lemon/mint did not appeal to me) .... I hesitated only because of the full black out keys, but if I have a problem I can always swap out the lettered keycaps.

[@ScholarsRest]

They are difficult to read unless under perfect lightning. But if you touch type or semi-tough type, it shouldn’t be much of an issue. There will simply be an adjustment period. Happy writing.

[@Bo.Lively]

Great video. I don’t think I’m the target buyer for this product, but I absolutely love it. I purchased a Remarkable 2 a month ago and I’m enjoying it. I wanted to extend my eink usage to typing. I’m just starting a blog, so I’m trying to justify this tool. But you said it best when you described it as an entertainment purchase. That is what it would be for me as well. I stare at a computer screen all day at work, I’d like to limit lcd screens while at home. Maybe I should pickup a used one to try.

[@ScholarsRest]

Even used, it is hard to justify the price if largely for entertainment, unless you have the disposable income of course. They recently release the Alpha which is more affordable, that could be an option. If, like me, you like typing on your lap, the Alpha would probably offer a better experience. I am still considering it 😅 something about the white one just keeps drawing me in.

[@mattm7831]

Why don't you just buy the keyboard for the remarkable tablet?

[@ScholarsRest]

Yep, that is an option. But it does not offer the same unified experience.

[@slickstufneatstuf]

​@@mattm7831The tablet, pen, and keyboard would be cheaper than the freewrite is and has a much faster refresh.

[@whome9936]

Pretty sure this has more editing capabilities than just a backspace key. Unlike the older models like my first gen, the third gens now provide for low-fi cursor functionality, do they not? Nice presentation, btw; you're quite well spoken. And hey! Another writer who isn't a novelist, which the world already has too many of. Wishing you good luck and good work. I blacked out my freewrite years ago with keycaps and fingernail polish lol. I agree they look a lot better as old-school artifacts.

[@ScholarsRest]

Yes, they can navigate, but it is not the most intuitive. You need to multi-press keys in order to navigate. And because of the low refresh eInk display it can be tedious to move the cursor around.

[@poetryinmotion6896]

I appreciate your review of the Freewrite. I am hemming and hawing on whether to purchase. The actual weight of it could be a problem as I rarely type at a desk, so I’m looking into the Traveler or Alpha. I really want something I can just grab and start typing. Though I appreciate the clickety-clack of old-school typewriters, I tend to be very aware of how much it could disturb others in the household, despite how fun the keyboard would likely be on which to type. Decisions, decisions.

[@chrisloren9363]

I've been thinking about it too, and doing a lot of reading and watching and lurking in forums. From what I gather, this big metal one is actually the best for typing on your lap. It's not, like, SUPER heavy, and the traveler has keyboard flex and doesn't say propped upright when you have in on your lap. And the Alpha just seems like such a huge downgrade from the typewriter while also still being pretty expensive. That's just my conclusion now. Now, I'm just struggling with whether I should get the OG model, which is super ugly, or the Lemon model, which is amazing looking but also a hundred bucks more lol.

[@ScholarsRest]

I will just add in my own opinion as well. I do not find the Smart Typewriter good in the lap. If you plan on always using it in your lap with some sort of surface with a wrist rest, then it is okay. But you cannot type with only the Smart Typewriter in your lap as there is no wrist support-it would get uncomfortable real quick. I don’t find the weight in my lap an issue. As for the loudness of the keys, yes, that might be an issue if you are concerned about disturbing people. Given that I prefer typing in my lap, I almost wish that I had gotten the Alpha instead. However, the experience of the Smart Typewriter is top notch.

[@ExpatRiot79]

You can literally do this with a ebook and a blue tooth keyboard or usb keyboard and have a 1000x better experience.

[@ochoheido]

I appreciate your review bc I am interested in this product for the same reason. As a toy, basically. So it is a bit harder for me to justify the cost. Especially since I already have an iPad with attached keyboard, a desktop with a luxe mechanical keyboard, and lots of notebooks and pencils for writing. I am a novelist I suppose, though I don't write much these days. Perhaps the Freewrite would change that? I've also just always wanted a typewriter because I love the feel and look and experience, but with the availability and cost of actual typewriters and ink ribbons, I think the Freewrite would be a great and practical middle ground, since I do post blogs and self-publish my work using the internet. Thanks for the video! (I LOVE your animations in the beginning, which label different features of the device.)

[@ScholarsRest]

Thank you. Making videos can be a fun and educational experience ☺️

[@exili]

Hey Josh, great Vid on the Freewrite! I’ve been eyeing them for a while now, and I got to say the Ink Edition looks fantastic, when and if I pull the trigger it’s the one I’d go for. Couple of Questions: 1. Regarding the keyboard, you mentioned enjoying typing on it and I wonder what did keyboard you used prior to transitioning to the Freewrite? I ask becase I currently do all my writing using the Apple Magic 2 keyboard which I believe uses butterfly keys-they’re very flat and kind of tense and don’t ‘dip’ much when pressed; I’m curious what the change was like for you (bonus for me if you use mac-based keyboards). 2. Regarding the lag/delay, I type quite a bit slower than you, but I wonder how bad the lag really is, are we talking several lines delay where it’s always jugging to catch up? I feel like that might be quite annoying and possibly distracting. (Would love to see a demo typing video, hope that’s not a wierd ask but what hay =) ) Thanks again, glad I bumped in to your channel: books, games, writing, it’s right up my alley!

[@ScholarsRest]

Yes, Apple uses butterfly switches in all their modern hardware as far as I know. The key travel is much less, so if you’ve never used a mechanical keyboard it might take some getting use to. My MacBook Air uses butterfly switches; my work laptop (Windows-based) uses a membrane I think, which is my least favourite keyboard; and I have a cheap wireless mechanical keyboard ($50 from Amazon) which is my favourite and most similar to the Freewrite. Most people, once they’ve experienced a mechanical keyboard, won’t be satisfied with anything less. The delay between pressing a key and the action performing on screen seems to vary. Again, just a limitation of E Ink. But it is only noticeable if you are looking for it. If I had to quantify it, I would say it averages about a second or less. But if you type extremely fast, such as 100 wpm or greater, then I could see the screen being behind by maybe half a line of text. For the average typist, the display might be behind by a letter or two. However, if you are navigating your text (which isn’t a recommended action on the Freewrite), then you will painfully be aware of the lag. But if you just keep typing, then the lag is negligible. The Freewrite team opted to use an E Ink display for its many benefits, such as ridiculously long battery life and comfortable readability-E Ink displays are the closest you’ll get to paper with digital technology. But it comes with one big limitation and that is the short lag. Up to you if the benefits outweigh the limitation. The Freewrite Alpha does not use an E Ink display, so that might be something to consider if you are concerned about the lag on the Freewrite Smart Typewriter. Cheers ☺️

[@exili]

@@ScholarsRest thanks for the breakdown, I'm leaning towards going for it, l'm all for the strict design aimed at drafting and drafting only. I have very little experience with Mechanical Keyboards, but understand they are a world unto their own. I think with my word count output (~70 WPM) lag will be even less of an issue. Looking forward to updates on your experience with it!

[@melissajenkins9960]

I’ve been looking at these. I was raised on typewriters. I miss them. This has piqued my interest, but I wish the keys sounded like a typewriter and not a clunky Apple II computer, lol. It does look neat otherwise. Thank you for the short and sweet review.

[@ScholarsRest]

Happy to oblige ☺️

[@whome9936]

Might consider a Qwerkywriter with an iPad and the Hanx Writer app. It's has the visuals and sounds you're probably missing.

[@melissajenkins9960]

@@whome9936 yeah the Hanx app is nice. I have a small black Bluetooth keyboard for my iPad. I’ll check out the one you suggested.

[@UnorthodoxWriter]

As much as I love the all-black look I really think they should've put brighter legends on it. By the way, would you happen to have a link for that laptop cushion?

[@ScholarsRest]

The keys are nearly impossible to read on the INK edition, so… something to keep in mind if you were considering 😅 I don’t have a link to the laptop cushion because it was something we purchased many years ago from Walmart or something. But I did a search on Amazon for “laptop cushion” and there are several that look nearly identical to the one I have. Should be able to find something to your liking. It is definitely needed with the Freewrite if you plan on using it on your lap!

[@WritersLike]

That spacebar kills me. I love the design of this device so much, but ended up selling both of mine (1st and 3rd gen) because of that spacebar. It makes me so sad because otherwise it's so great. I found that the Alpha spacebar has a similar issue. I wish they could address this somehow so it doesn't need aftermarket adjustments.

[@ScholarsRest]

I have heard a lot of people adding foam beneath the spacebar to muffle the rattle. Seems like an easy enough fix, so I might give that a try. How are you liking the Alpha? Part of me wishes I had just waited and gotten the Alpha as I type mostly on my lap. Also, there is something about the white Alpha that just keeps drawing me in.

[@WritersLike]

Yeah,@@ScholarsRest, I do love the color and texture of this one! I have seen all the modifications and putting it on foam, etc., but I want an out of the box experience that I don't have to mitigate in that way.

[@Zeus-ik5gn]

Does your device wobble when you sit it flat on a desk? I had that issue with a Hemingwrite and I sent it back. I’m thinking of ordering this ink, but I want to make sure there is no widespread wobble.

[@ScholarsRest]

I have not experienced a wobble either while using it on a flat desk or on a flat laptop cushion. Fingers crossed that quality control catches any outliers.

[@Zeus-ik5gn]

@@ScholarsRest have you had any battery issues with this device?

[@ScholarsRest]

I have not. But I have not used it much, so I cannot really offer good feedback on this. Once the new year began, I have been busy, busy, busy. I am hoping to find some time to get back to typing and making videos soon, they were some of my favourite ways to relax.

[@ochoheido]

I have a brown switch mechanical keyboard from RK Royal Kludge and the space bar sounds very similar. I think it might just be due to the size of the bar, having more space for the key-clicking sound to echo underneath.

[@ScholarsRest]

An interesting theory. I’ve heard you can dampen it with some foam. I’ll probably give that a try at some point. It isn’t overly bothersome.

[@Oldsmobile69]

Interesting review. Makes me want that keyboard and aesthetic, but on a real laptop.

[@ScholarsRest]

You can get a nice wireless mechanical keyboard to pair with a laptop. They even have some that replicate the appeal of typewriters. As close as you can get I think.

[@Oldsmobile69]

@@ScholarsRest Yes, but obviously that's more than a bit of a hassle on the go.

[@KristynRene.]

Is the backlight of the screen able to be dimmed or turned off? 🤔

[@ScholarsRest]

Yes. I think it has tiered settings, like high, low, and off or something.

[@bettydoughtery3920]

Thank you.

[@ScholarsRest]

You’re welcome.

[@FrankJonen]

I just want a typewriter again. Fed up with poor laptop usability where you always need an external keyboard, and on the studio Mac Pro it’s overkill for writing.

[@ScholarsRest]

I would really like a laptop with a mechanical keyboard. Maybe even an eInk display. But definitely a mechanical keyword.

[@FrankJonen]

@@ScholarsRest oh yes. I’ve tried to build one but the milling and material costs ended up being over €2k.

[@edtruthseeker3337]

I really want one of these. I have one question. If you can answer it for me, I would really appreciate it. I am an Electrical Engineer and programmer. I also write short stories and poetry as a hobby. I do not like to trust that anyone's cloud service will be available several years down the road. The company could be out of business next year along with the cloud service. I want to be able to transfer files to my computer with the USB cable. I read online that the file that gets transferred is a plain text file in read only mode. It doesn't bother me being text only, but is it a read only file? Windows and Linux allow for changing the permissions of a file so that it can be edited. This can be prevented by the one creating the file though. Can the files transferred by USB cable be modified after being transferred? Thanks to anyone who will answer this for me.

[@ScholarsRest]

Might be some confusion. The text you type on the Freewrite is synced to a cloud service and available to read via that cloud service, but you cannot edit the text in that cloud service. However, you can email yourself the text from the Freewrite whenever you want and it will arrive as plain text in an email, which you can do whatever you want with. I got into the habit of pressing the sort of ‘email me the text’ button every 30 minutes as a backup. So, in short, you can edit the text when you send it to yourself, you just cannot edit the text when viewing it via the cloud service.

[@CZpersi]

The device feels very intriquing, but the dependency on closed-source cloud service, tiny display and lack of backlight for the keys make this a difficult sell, considering the price and available alternatives.

[@ScholarsRest]

Correct. If you do not have a significant need for such a unique device, then I do not recommend it.

[@MALLUPLATO]

nice video

[@ScholarsRest]

Thanks. I had fun with it. I wish I had more time to make more!

[@im_cart8656]

thanks for this video.. i just asked another creator how they justify the price.. unless you have astigmatism and are a career author who is also easily distracted otherwise i fear this just becomes another gadget that winds up with all the other over priced gadgets i have shoved in some random drawer or closet. it's very niche but i still don't see how this thing (as cool as it is.. and as useful as im sure some people will find it) should cost any more than $300-400

[@ScholarsRest]

I agree, to some extent. They likely think that the price is justified because (1) Freewrite cannot manufacture at a large enough scale to bring prices down, (2) Freewrite is committed to premium materials which means higher prices, (3) Freewrite is targeting a small niche market which means higher prices (like a Ferrari), (4) Freewrite is largely unopposed is this space and thus can charge whatever prices they want, etc.

[@ghostchick5275]

I originally backed the Freewrite on Kickstarter. I think they are really hobbling this device by not allowing for basic editing. Even just a cursor to go back and correct a typo would go a long way.

[@ScholarsRest]

I think you almost need to look at the Freewrite devices through a different lens. Most people are looking at them through the lens of laptops and by comparison there is a lot that could be added to make them better. But the Freewrite devices aren’t trying to compete with laptops, they are offering a digital typewriter experience. You couldn’t navigate on typewriters either. The idea is that the hardware limitations will force you to keep typing forward, not looking back. It is purely a drafting tool. The problem is, a lot of people want them to be more than a drafting tool. If that is you, then you need to look elsewhere essentially. I’m not saying this directly to you necessarily, just in general ☺️ personally, it doesn’t work for me and the type of writing I do. But I am hoping to use it more for literal free writing.

[@trickyplays240]

Definitely like the product but the price tag is ridiculous. I thought they were trying to encourage writing not scaring them off by a price $$$

[@ScholarsRest]

Tough pill to swallow without a doubt. I assume the high price is due to several factors: (1) Freewrite cannot manufacture at a large enough scale to bring prices down, (2) Freewrite is committed to premium materials which means higher prices, (3) Freewrite is targeting a niche market which arguably justifies the price (like a Ferrari), (4) Freewrite is largely unopposed is this space and thus can charge whatever prices they want, etc.

[@wondawomenluvsupaman]

I chose to go with the alphasmart, there are arrows for easy light editing, and there is spell check. It doesn’t connect to wifi without the little hub that is hard to get my hands on, but I can still transfer my files seemlessly right into any writing software that I am using. For the price point Freewrite really needs to consider adding some editing options and even a backlit keyboard for easier night time writing.

[@ScholarsRest]

Smart choice 😅

[@bhajandaniel9771]

Seems like A LOT of money for a device with no editing features! The first draft is never the final draft. How is a person supposed to do sucessive drafts? I used to have a Brother word processor that was nothing but a word processor. God, I loved that thing! Wish I could get a simple word processor with all editing features but they don't seem to be made anymore.

[@ScholarsRest]

There is a small group of people who are in search of this exact product, one that is free from distraction and trains you to avoid editing until after the first draft is complete. For those people who want that, the price is probably justifiable. However, for those who are looking for a quality typing experience with all the usual functions of a word processor, then a PC or tablet with mechanical keyboard is a better option, and likely cheaper.

[@arepas]

Gen 3 finally got the arrow options using WASD which is great. For editing with e-ink on a one piece writer deck, the way to go is the Pomera DM-30. That thing is horribly underrated. Once you get used to the three different keys and the smaller keyboard, you’re gold.

[@bizmonkey007]

No backlight is inconvenient; no arrow keys or the ability to go back and edit docs is inexcusable. What were they thinking?

[@ScholarsRest]

Agree on the backlight, that would have been nice. Arrow keys are a bit more subjective though. While there are no dedicated arrow keys, you can navigate, it just is not the easiest. But that is intentional. The device is meant to keep your writing and moving forward, it is not meant for editing or proofing. For people who write first drafts like that, it is great. For those who enjoy pausing, backtracking, editing, etc. it is not the device for them.

[@arepas]

Gen 3 has arrow key navigation and the backlight. Fortunately, if this isn’t for those that like to edit more, the Pomera DM250, or DM30 is the move. Those things are editing on the go beasts.

[@slickstufneatstuf]

It's shocking how poorly thought through these are for such a high price. I have a previous model and it's even worse than this experience. It's telling that they constantly use a stylized image of William Shakespeare in their marketing--a man who would have never seen a typewriter in his lifetime. Brilliant.

[@ScholarsRest]

I agree the price is a bit ridiculous, though being a small company with limited resources might explain some of that. But I do not agree with them being poorly thought out. The company has designed and built exactly what they intended. What many see as limitations, the company advertises as desirable features, such as the lack of easy text navigation. There are writers out there who desire those features as they see them as beneficial to their process. If you are not one of those people, then these devices are not for you. I do not think I am one of those people, and yet I still purchased one. I do not regret it though as I knew what I was buying.

[@jort93z]

I guess it's like a sharp front writer with no printer. Can you really call it a typewriter if it doesn't write on paper? It's really just a word processor isn't it? I have a normal, modern, electronic typewriter which I use sometimes. The benefit of a typerwriter is that it is on paper immediately, so I can type it and immediately hand it to someone or whatever. This doesn't have that benefit, so it seems pretty pointless to me.

[@ScholarsRest]

If all you want is to type on paper without the option to interact or consume the text on a digital platform, then you are correct, it serves no purpose. But typing directly on paper is not a common practice anymore. I suspect most people would want to type the text and then have the option of having the text digitally to then decide what to do with it, such as formatting the text for different mediums, using digital technologies to assist with proofreading, sharing the text via digital means, etc.

[@jort93z]

@@ScholarsRest There are some word processors that can print on paper as well as save the output to a floppy disk, but they have gone out of style in the 90's, so they are all floppy based. Oasys for example was somewhat popular in japan, i think their OASYS Lite series(F, F2, F-ROM...) might have been an inspiration for this product. They could save 200 pages on a floppy, or just print them out. Tho, they did sell some models with seperable printers rather than integrated ones. They aren't really typewriters tho, it's word processors, where you can select fonts and stuff(tho, nothing really stops you from just taking notes in one font with no formatting, obviously). I guess from there people either went to use proper laptops and a printer, or just typewriters.

[@Mike_Jones281]

No, you listed only one advantage of a typewriter. The advantage of this typewriter is that it also offers distraction-free writing. There is no word processing on the Freewrtie; thus, there is less of a chance that the user will get bogged down correcting minuscule errors that would otherwise interrupt the user's flow state.

[@Xingqiwu387]

The problem with the Freewrite is that the company itself determines what writers want and need rather than the writers themselves. Most people who write extensively want arrow keys and an SD card slot or two. The Freewrite offers none of these.

[@ScholarsRest]

This is fair. Though, as a company, they have the right to decide what their product is, just as we as consumers have a right to not purchase said product if it does not fit our needs. Personally, I do not need an SD card slot. However, I would like arrow keys. That said, there are arrow keys in a sense, just requires holding down an additional function key.

[@chrisloren9363]

@@ScholarsRestnothing impedes my writing like an arrow key, and I ain’t kidding

[@beepdeeboo]

i think there are arrow keys when you press shift and another button or something. might be for a different model though.

[@Xingqiwu387]

​@@beepdeeboo Thanks for the info. I'd been looking at the Freewrite but ended up hooking up my USB mechanical keyboard to the 7.5" e-ink screen on my Supernote Nomad and couldn't be happier. IMHO, this is THE BEST solution for what the Freewrite tried to offer but didn't. And once the battery dies on the Freewrite, you'll be stuck with an expensive paperweight. The Supernote's battery is user-replaceable, as is the SD card you can install yourself. A fabulous device!

[@beepdeeboo]

@@Xingqiwu387 !!! sounds like a good solution. happy writing :)