Astrohaus has a new design for the Freewrite typewriter that may be suitable for people who have been interested in the technology but have been put off by its high price. The Freewrite Alpha is a lower profile version of the first generation device. It is similar to the original Freewrite in that it is a distraction-free writing tool that syncs with other services but for $349 instead of the original $649. The shipping date is July 23, 2023.
Both the original Freewrite and the portable 2020 Freewrite Traveler will still be available after the Alpha's release. It is half the weight of the original at 1.9 pounds. It has a rounded, sandy look instead of the Traveler's slick white. Astrohaus claims a dramatically extended 100 hour battery life and swaps the E Ink screen for a reflective LCD screen. Four weeks of battery life is offered by previous generations. It charges and syncs via a cable or a 2.4 GHz wi-fi connection.
The Alpha keyboard was abandoned for the Traveler, but Astrohaus is bringing it back. The third-gen keyboard uses low-profile switches from the first generation and an upgrade from the Traveler's scissor switches.
The Alpha was announced by Astrohaus earlier this month and I was initially skeptical due to its resemblance to a countertop. Most people don't spend a lot of money on a typing machine unless they really love to type, and part of the first-gen Freewrite's appeal is how luxurious it feels. I'm not sure if a nearly half-price model can capture the original feeling, even if it's still a splurge.
The mechanical switches are a step in the right direction, and abandoning the E Ink screen might not be a bad idea. Astrohaus added a feature to the Alpha that allows you to move your mouse around a document. It is difficult to judge the gray pebble pattern without being present.
The Alpha is basically a high-end AlphaSmart portable word processor. Astrohaus isn't shy about this comparison: on top of the obvious similarity in the name, it's purchased AlphaSmart.com as a landing page. Alpha could pick up where AlphaSmart left off in education.
Is it my duty to tell you that eBay sells AlphaSmart keyboards at a fraction of the Alpha's price? I think so. Despite owning a functional first-generation Freewrite that I love but rarely use, I'm tempted to put down money for the Alpha. I will confess that I am.
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