Freewrite Traveler overview: specs, efficiency, value

Freewrite Traveler

Do not get us improper — we love our iPads, MacBook Professionals, and iPhones. Nonetheless, it is inconceivable to disclaim that there are occasions when these multipurpose gadgets will be extra of a distraction than a software.

We have all been there. We sit all the way down to do some type of process, solely to test our e-mail or Instagram, or get sucked into the all-too-familiar “only one extra fast YouTube video” cycle.

Astrohaus goals to assist resolve that drawback with a purpose-built line of merchandise referred to as Freewrite. These e-ink phrase processors are designed to chop out useless distractions so you’ll be able to concentrate on writing.

The Traveler is extraordinarily moveable, weighing in at a really slight 1.5 kilos and measuring 11.5 by 5 inches.

It has a black lid emblazoned with “Freewrite” in silver, and unfolds like a tiny laptop computer. The keyboard is white and feels fairly much like a regular pocket book model.

Freewrite Traveler closed

You may discover that there are two Freewrite-only keys on the keyboard — a left and proper “new” key. Analogous to perform keys on a Mac or PC, these keys mean you can entry Freewrite-specific shortcuts. For instance, urgent each new buttons concurrently keys up a brand new draft.

For the value tag, we are going to say that the Traveler initially feels a bit juvenile. The shiny plastic physique does give it a little bit of a “toy” vibe Nonetheless, when you begin utilizing it, it does really feel extra like a software — so you will need to spend a bit time with it at first.

Since Freewrite gadgets are designed to be distraction-free, there is a distinctive answer to managing the belongings you placed on it and the machine itself — Postbox.

You possibly can entry your drafts from the Postbox net interface

Postbox is a free companion cloud utility offered by Astrohaus, which is the first manner you will configure your Freewrite machine. It is in Postbox the place you will change your font measurement and time zones, and import or export drafts.

Postbox helps you to entry your paperwork out of your smartphone, pill, or pc. You too can join your Freewrite with Dropbox, Evernote, and Google Drive.

The Traveler, not like Astrohaus’ different choices, would not function mechanical keys. As an alternative, it encompasses a compact scissor-switch key.

Clearly, are some main advantages to this. The principle benefit is that you simply will not hassle folks in espresso retailers, libraries, and even somebody sharing the identical quiet lounge.

It additionally helps to maintain the Traveler skinny and moveable.

Freewrite Traveler in use

Nonetheless, it does take away from the entire typewriter expertise a bit, however that is a tradeoff we’re keen to make for a take-anywhere machine like this.

Typing on the Traveler takes a bit time to get used to when you’re switching over from one thing like a mechanical keyboard. Nonetheless, when you’re used to writing on a MacBook keyboard or an Apple Magic Keyboard, the time to adapt is fairly slight.

Utilizing the Traveler is fairly novel. It’s extremely newbie pleasant and may simply be utilized by folks of all ages and technical capabilities.

As soon as you’ve got created one thing you need to save, it can save you on-device in considered one of three folders. While you’ve obtained sufficient that you simply need to save out and put it elsewhere, you’ll be able to e-mail the draft to your self or sync it by the aforementioned Postbox service. You too can switch it to your machine of alternative by way of USB.

The battery life is implausible, too. Astrohaus says it will get as much as 30 hours of steady use, which suggests it’s best to be capable of get a number of days of use out of it between expenses.

We barely made a dent within the battery cost degree throughout our take a look at.

If the Traveler has a significant draw back, it is the noticeable lag between whenever you kind and when the phrases seem on the display. This may be extraordinarily problematic for individuals who kind above 80 phrases per minute, as you will at all times be greater than a second forward of no matter you are typing.

Once more, for the value level, we might count on this to be a bit higher, maybe by growing the display’s refresh price.

You are in all probability questioning if the Traveler is price it, particularly within the “above $400” value vary — and sadly, we won’t provide you with a straight reply.

It relies on what you want quite than an general judgment that may be made on the product itself.

There’s something undeniably helpful about having an offline writing machine that’s sufficiently small to take anyplace. When you spend a whole lot of time writing in espresso retailers, libraries, or class, the Freewrite Traveler is definitely fairly darn useful.

It lets you actually sink your enamel into no matter you are doing with out worrying concerning the fixed distractions of an always-online machine. There aren’t any apps to test, no push notifications, and because of the e-ink display, it would not fatigue your eyes the identical manner a digital display works.

Nonetheless, when you do not do a whole lot of writing or want a tool that may deal with a number of sorts of labor, there’s nearly no purpose to choose one up.

That being stated, we have been nonetheless impressed by the Traveler and assume there is a marketplace for these specialised gadgets.

• Distraction free writing
• Extremely moveable
• E-ink show
• A number of save-out modes

• All plastic shell feels a bit juvanile
• Slight, however noticeable lag when typing