Alpha

i got my alpha about 2 weeks ago (in April 2024 for those of you from the future) and i've been writing with it happily whenever i get the time. it has a good keyboard, starts up instantly and has as yet not lost any of my work (one reads horror stories online about this happening to others, but i hope it was mainly a problem with earlier versions of the software). some people would say that there is no way the components are worth 400$, and of course if all you wanted to buy were the components, they'd be write. however designing it, testing it, manufacturing it, providing a back-end, writing and maintaining the software all cost a significant amount of money, so i find the price perfectly fair.
do be aware of the screen. in bad light it soon becomes difficult to read.

I’ve written some 20 000 words on the device, so far, and I’m very pleased with it. If I have any minor issues, it has to do with going back in the file and inserting text in front of what you’ve already written. For some reason, this is very sluggish. I know editing isn’t the purpose of the device, but since the ability is there, it gets a bit frustrating when the input lags.

I also became somewhat disappointed when I realised you can’t sync texts from Postbox back to the device. In retrospect, I remember reading about this limitation of the Alpha beforehand, but I just managed to forget about it until I actually needed the feature.

Even so, I’d say both of these drawbacks are minor issues that are probably also possible to solve with a future firmware update, should Freewrite feel inclined to do so. The advantage of just tapping the red button and start writing on a real keyboard, hassle free, is — however banal and whimsical it may seem — actually worth the hefty price tag.

I’ve been using the Alpha Raven Black for two weeks now, and I’m in love. The key feel is easy to use, though it did take a few days to get used to it (like any keyboard). It’s light, and the battery has lasted this entire period so far. I was out of town a few days and brought only this device along - carrying it around, I got a lot of questions (and admiration) while sitting in a diner in Toronto typing away.

But the biggest improvement for me has been the distraction free writing. No alerts, no side windows, no other apps to play with. You just sit and write. I’ve had success with both long term and short term sessions so far. Also, I was a few days without wifi, and everything I wrote was perfectly synched when I got back home and connected to my wifi!

Alpha Raven Black

I always have great experience receiving my orders when purchasing my Freewrite devices from their online store. I'm so glad Freewrite exists. They are so awesome.