Reviewing the FreeWrite Smart Typewriter (3rd. Gen)

I had a really hard time finding any current reviews of the typewriter, and so if there is anyone (especially anyone prepping for #nanowrimo ) considering this product. This is not a sponsored video and all opinions are based on a sample size of moi
Bottom line (although I'd 100% encourage you to watch to the end :-) is that the device is so pleasant to work on and helped me with faster, distraction free writing as promised... for a price...
Find me on IG at @niyyahwriting
Music track: Rose by Lukrembo
Source: freetouse.com/music
Copyright Free Background Music

[@SteveDocSavage]

I am a pantser. I will draft a beginning and an ending chapter, and give myself a vague notion of what has to happen to turn this into a book, but I love the notion that every day that I write is full of surprises even for me. By the way, I am awaiting shipment of my Freewrite Smart Typewriter also. It was a big chunk for me, especially because I benefit from the "distraction-free" aspects by using a Remarkable 2 with Folio Keyboard. But I am also a mechanical keyboard fan, and, while the Folio Keyboard is comfortable for short sprints, it doesn't have the feel that I love. I think this thing will.

[@NiyyahWrites]

I love the FreeWrite for Pantsers! I want to know how you like it. I'm also a huge fan of a mechanical keyboard. I'm past deadline on a short story but when I'm done I'll be back to the novel and back to the FreeWrite.

[@sarahkmiller]

Thank you for this fantastic review! I'm a PhD student, and writing is my primary source of income. I am hoping to snag one secondhand. It's hard for me to justify the price, because it's almost as much as a laptop. But it looks perfect for what I need. Especially as an accommodation for my ADHD brain. Also, cute things like this are a good motivator for me. But I'm afraid once the newness wears off, I won't get enough use out of it. I would love to hear an updated review now that you've had it for a bit! :)

[@NiyyahWrites]

I hear that completely - I got really lucky with an allotment otherwise I don't know if I could have bought it. I feel like - this device may have been designed with ADHD in mine. As far as the new review - I'm on it!

[@Tjtellsthetruth]

Thank you for this review I am an inspiring author who suffers from ADD/ADHD, OCD, depression, and anxiety, I am easily distracted, and every time I want to be working efficiently everything needs to be purposeful. I love that this device is intentional and keeps the writing in the flow state. As I used to be a journalist I would self-edit a lot amid writing but when being creative it's a hindrance seeing all the squiggly lines and trying to fix them.

[@NiyyahWrites]

I hope that you love this device or find something that works for you. I let a fellow writer with OCD use the device and they said the same thing about the red squiggly lines - especially as this writer was spoke English as a second language. If you find other techniques please share them... we all need support.

[@Tjtellsthetruth]

@@NiyyahWrites Absolutely when it gets here I will let you know. Really thank you for that info cause now I feel even more confident with my purchase. And I absolutely will when I do discover some other techniques.

[@kesiscameraroll]

I am saving up for one of these. I want to get the Ernest Hemingway special edition and I’m really excited. I have a hard time just writing instead of stopping to tinkering with small edits. I’m excited to get it!

[@NiyyahWrites]

Pleeeease come back and let me know how you like it- I was drooling over that one for a while - the next step for me was a Writers conference so I had to cut costs somewhere but that device is soooo pretty, the mint as well was very tempting

[@kesiscameraroll]

@@NiyyahWrites I don’t like the mint as much or the lemon. But the Ernest Hemingway version is stunning. It’ll take a little while for me to save up but when I do I’ll come back. Pinky promise 🤞🏾

[@nhatcrawford]

I have one. I'm in year 3 and the USB cord is outdated so I have NO way of seeing what I've written. Can't link/transfer to Word on my laptop. What to do? No one has the answer.

[@NiyyahWrites]

@@nhatcrawford I have no idea - is it that they don't have the cord available?

[@GreenEagleVR]

@@nhatcrawford maybe get an adapter? They make them in almost every configuration you could think of!

[@supporthumancx]

Thanks a bunch for the great review! I just picked one up used because I want something that will force me to draft rather than edit while I go (which makes the writing process really unfun for me and also makes me the world’s slowest writer ever). I hope it continues to be useful for you!

[@NiyyahWrites]

I hope you love it! It took my a while to get into that “draft only” mode (I was bringing my laptop with me to writing sprints and then editing literally the second I finished) - but once you let go you can just roll with it - I’d be curious to hear your review!

[@Yoslizzle]

you can use wasd keys with the new key for moving around the document for editing instead of deleting entire words. and I'm a short story pantzer to answer your question.

[@NiyyahWrites]

Another pantser for the win!!! 🥇 I have used the keys for editing but mostly I’m trying to just edit from a lap top. I still find that part slow, but I know it’s an improvement from the last gen

[@_gamma.]

I’m sorry to hear about the laptop failure, any lost words are tragic!

[@NiyyahWrites]

Thank you so much - ❤ - I have enough distance now that I can have a healthier perspective which was to remind me to verify where I’m backing up to and the lost project had been my Nano project! And while it’s not yet the jewel I want it to be, it’s got some better foundation for the story.

[@_gamma.]

@@NiyyahWrites a blessing in (a very inconvenient) disguise! I know some people that use the send button religiously as backups, probably wouldn’t be too bad!

[@NiyyahWrites]

Yes!! Sent to my postbox and my google docs and then my scrivener !!!

[@pauliecaccamise1980]

I have the Gen 3 typewriter. Love it to death. I am a prancer with some plotters habits so a hybrid

[@NiyyahWrites]

I just started writing again with it and I am so glad I did... for a long time I was using the computer and I forgot how good it was for staying focused. I'm definitely a pantser and I'm trying to develop some plotter habits but... um... (changes subject)

[@ElizabethErgun]

Great review! Do you still use this regularly? Curious if the hard reboots are still an issue and hopw often they happen... thanks!!

[@fanjapanischermusik]

cool review, wish you a happe 2024

[@niyyahhandcrafted]

Happy New Year to you, too!

[@pentaghoul]

Hey! You say writing in libraries... do you find the keyboard to be too loud on this device for libraries? My fear is that it will be too loud. Thanks for the review.

[@NiyyahWrites]

I worried about that, too! But it's not super loud - although I will say, I sometimes use my libraries study rooms and I tend to go towards the kids side (as my kids are sometimes browsing where I write) and it's not as bothersome. I think it seems louder here than it actually is because of where the camera was held to record - buuuut I also find the sound so satisfying, so I could be the one that ruins it for your future neighbors!

[@Xingqiwu387]

Does anyone know how you delete files from the Freewrite? Can you delete them on the machine itself, or do you have to go to the postbox setup and delete them through your WiFi connection?

[@NiyyahWrites]

I usually do it from Postbox, but you can do it from the device - here's a link to the steps: support.getfreewrite.com/article/82-how-to-delete-documents#:~:text=Log%20in%20and%20find%20the,chosen%20action%2C%20and%20then%20confirm.

[@Xingqiwu387]

Thank you very, very much! This information is so helpful, and I greatly appreciate your taking the time to respond! @@NiyyahWrites

[@NiyyahWrites]

@@Xingqiwu387 no worries at all! I’m glad it helped

[@saffirechanning7286]

I'm much more interested in getting the portable version. I think it's called the Traveler?

[@NiyyahWrites]

I considered that one! I think that is a great choice - I bring my FreeWrite to the office and because of that I have to carry a backpack - while I like mine a lot the portability of the Traveler (as well as the cost savings) is worth it - let me know how you like it!

[@LpSC2online]

@@NiyyahWrites I am just very wary of the scissor switch keys that are used in that keyboard... i notice that the scissor switches from my laptop are kind of vulnerable to dust and dirt. i would not want to invest 500€ into the traveler. So if I end up getting a Freewrite it will be the smart typewriter.

[@milosflaca]

I noticed you are a fast typist. How was the experience for you on this area? I am a fast typist and I do not look at the keyboard when I am typing. Obviously, I am aware it is not a computer screen so the refresh ratio is not the same. Would appreciate to hear your input on this topic ^^

[@NiyyahWrites]

This is a great question- I did add this as a common complaint on some of the reviews I checked prior to my purchase - the lag is barely noticeable in my opinion - for me I’m averaging 40-45 words per minute if that’s helpful. I suspect if you’re faster you may notice it more!

[@milosflaca]

Mmm I have never measured how fast I am, but I will now! I really want to get one as I am a person who insists on her drafts being pristine and, on top of that, having the internet as distraction, has really hindered my progress. Many thanks for replying :)

[@niyyahhandcrafted]

@@milosflacathose distractions, though!!! It was a very interesting experiment - I found my best writing was by myself, at the library with my earphones in with some background ambient music. I measured every setting I wrote at and at what time which I've never done before and actually shattered some ideas I had about what was most effective for me! I used to think the early morning was the best but actually at about 10 a.m. and 9 p.m., I was not only faster but those drafts were cleaner. Best of luck to you, and if you try it please let me know!

[@likewaterforcoffee1570]

Great review!!!!

[@NiyyahWrites]

Thank you so much! I'm still using this device and hoping to update within a week or so.

[@likewaterforcoffee1570]

@@NiyyahWrites I just got mine! I splurged for the Hemingway edition. Your review helped me decide to get one!

[@NiyyahWrites]

@@likewaterforcoffee1570 oooooooh pour the tea!!! I hope you love it - I’m so curious about your review if you post anything anywhere please tag me so I can hear how it is going!

[@mozzyx7x]

I’m still hoping and waiting for someone to kindly gift me one. I LOVE to write and this would be great to play with.

[@NiyyahWrites]

I hope that someone out there can gift you one- the price really is a bit high.

[@valeriecourtney9033]

Hello, I have enjoyed your video. Is there anyone here, who have a freewrite to sell? I've been looking in thrift stores, pawn shops and etc. for a few weeks now, and it's been hard to find. Thank You!

[@JMaxwell1000]

Personally, I would NEVER use any device that tethers me to the Internet. Never. They really screwed up when they decided to omit an SD or CF card slot.

[@NiyyahWrites]

I wish it had an SD card- that would be a game changer.

[@LpSC2online]

It supposedly stores up to 1 Mil words on your device. But yes, I wonder how they could not implement an SD card in this thing. Then it would be pretty much perfect, I'd say.

[@JMaxwell1000]

I agree wholeheartedly. The old Alphasmarts are brilliant in that they allow you to upload your writing to your computer immediately through a USB connection, and the battery life approaches 700 hours - just fantastic! Thanks for the review :)@@NiyyahWrites

[@taraskywalker453]

You can plug into a PC with the included cable to access the files.

[@NiyyahWrites]

@@taraskywalker453 oooh this is a good tip- I have a Mac so I’m unsure if this would work but I will dig around