June 7, 2007
A low-cost, text-only, instant-start thought capturer with usb, please
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That wise and exceptionally hard-working (let’s hope it pays off one day) Doug Johnston (of DIYPlanner.com fame) recently got me to wondering if there was a solution to my angst.
The angst is around this: I love writing, but hate lugging a heavy, very noisy notebook that takes 5 minutes to go through boot-up. I want something with ‘instant-on’ with which I can type my thoughts quickly and simply. I want a usb port so I can transfer the txt files across to my pc for later editing and use in Word, OneNote, Zoundry, etc.
I don’t want an ultra-lite laptop (even a ThinkPad X60, even though InformationWeek rated them as having the best keyboard); $2k+ is not my idea of something quick and simple. Doug has fallen back in love with his Apple eMate 300. I even looked on eBay for one and found someone in Sydney selling it (but the battery was bereft of life and had given up the ghost; I wouldn’t have a clue where to get another…).
But various reviews of the eMate showed two design flaws in this modern age: no usb port and a small keyboard. I’m a fast touch typist and have used Microsoft’s ergonomic keyboard ever since they first released it, so small keyboards (even the standard ones that come with PCs these days) annoy the buggery out of me. I’m a man who learnt to type on teleprinters, so I hammer the keys hard and my fingers ain’t too dainty.
Doug suggested an Alphasmart Neo or Dana, but the cost is unjustifiable and the screen on them too small — I like being able to see what I wrote two paragraphs ago.
So I investigated external keyboards for my Dell X51 Axim PDA; if I got one I could use OneNote mobile to collect my thoughts and I would be happy. Alas, no keyboards for sale in Australia that could either hard-plug into it, or connect via bluetooth. They are sold in the UK and US, but not Australia. I am hesitant about buggering my warranty.
All I want is something that will power up straight away; no connections to anything (e.g. net, email, wireless networks) necessary, just a simple text editor with a full-size keyboard (no number keypad block required) that will allow me to whip it out, flick a switch and capture my words of wisdom (ahem).
I love my fountain pens, but my moleskin papers don’t take to ‘real’ pens (I think they are slightly waxed). But hand-writing stuff, whilst a sensual delight with a good pen or pencil, is de-productive (is there such a word? Well, there is now…) because one has to type out the scribbled scrawl at a later date.
I remember fondly back to my music-writing days, when my trusty Atari 1040ST would snap an icon-full screen at me within seconds of turning the power on. But it wasn’t portable and it needed mains power. And usb wasn’t even thought of then.
Have I missed a revolution? Are there such products around? No, I don’t want a Samsung Q1 or similar (I can type properly, why give my thumbs RSI?).
Anyone got any ideas?
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3 Responses to “A low-cost, text-only, instant-start thought capturer with usb, please”
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June 7th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
It seems like I heard about this one on an edition of TWiT: NEC MobilePro 790. It came out 6 years ago, so you can find them on Amazon or eBay for $130 USD (+ shipping). No USB port & a keyboard that’s 92% of full size, if that’s a deal killer. But on eBay, there were a fair number of add-ons that might make it a workable compromise. i have no experience with anything but desktops. Of course for a little more $$, you can get an Apple Newton on eBay…
Btw, search on both NEC MobilePro 790 and NEC Mobile Pro 790. The PocketPC magazine review: http://www.pocketpcmag.com/_archives/Nov01/NEC790.asp
Good luck!
Love & Peace, Clarence
June 8th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
[...] offered a useful suggestion regarding my quest — the NEC MobilePro 790. But the keyboard is not full size and it doesn’t have a usb [...]
June 12th, 2007 at 12:29 am
[...] Thanks to the wisdom of many, I have narrowed down my choices for an instant start machine. [...]