Question for the Dana/Alphasmart users out there

[vg_ford]

What's the difference between the Alphasmart keyboard and the actual Alphasmart? Can you use a USB drive in it? I'm thinking of getting one for Pennsic, and while I can justify $17.00 for a keyboard for a week, I can't justify $200.

Help!!!

Maybe it would help if I included the link I'm looking at:

ebay Alphasmart.

Comments

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

I think the AlphaSmart is the keyboard itself. See http://alphasmart.com/Retail/ .

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

That's the thing - they keep talking on the website about the Dana and the Neo, but this one looks like it may be the version before. I was just wondering if anyone has used it/liked it/can answer some questions on it, because I want one, but after spending $400 on the laptop, I can't justify another $216 for a Dana or a Neo.

[aishabintjamil.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure this will do what you want it to. I didn't spend
a ton of time searching, but what I saw makes it seem pretty
limited. One site that had more details said it only works with
Macs, unless you buy a special adapter. And it only saves 8 files.

You might want to check out something like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEC-MobilePro-780-hand-held-laptop-everything-included_W0QQitemZ140138421052QQihZ004QQcategoryZ38331QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I have an NEC Mobilepro 780, which I got several years ago to have
something portable.

Pluses:

* writes word and excel files.
* has a nearly full size keyboard. I can type on it without much
pain. A guy with big hands would probably feel differently.
* takes a Flash memory card, so you can save your files to something
secure, even if your battery runs down.

Minuses:
* battery only lasts a couple of hours.
* the 780 is too old to come with built in USB
(which is why it was cheap when I bought it)
higher numbered models are newer, and probably do
have USB and/or bluetooth
* You have to sync files with your PC over a serial connection.
This means that I had to go buy a USB to Serial converter
for my laptop, because serial ports are rapidly going the
way of the dinosaurs, and don't show up on most newer
computers any more. Also it's sloooooow.
* screen is fine indoors, but very dim when viewed by daylight.
* no networking except via a built-in modem

So why are you looking at this stuff anyway? You have a laptop.

Kathy

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

Because the laptop's battery only lasts for 2 hours, and I don't want to have to either a) trek out to the parking lot to charge my laptop every day or b) paying Pennsic Mail outrageous sums of money.

Besides, I can't use the laptop at my desk at work unless I'm on lunch. My manager just okayed the AlphaSmart, because it doesn't have a net connection.

[aishabintjamil.livejournal.com]

The charging thing is a tough one. I looked a year or so ago at
solar battery chargers, but one that would power a laptop reliably
was around $200. There are big batteries like the one Rob uses for
his apnea machine, but I think they're pricy too, not to mention
heavy.

You might consider looking at things like PDAs. You might get most
of the results you're looking for with a PDA that sync with your
regular PC, accept a flash memory card for secure file storage, and
has a keyboard available as an add-on. I had a Palm Pilot before
the MobilePro that had a nearly full size keyboard I could plug
into it. It was pretty neat - folded up into a package about the
size of a paperback. As long as it will write word-compatible
files, you could probably write on it. Editing might be more of
a challenge.

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

Again, it's a price thing. If I was going to spend $200 on a PDA, I'd not even bother, because I have the laptop. But Pennsic and events are PITAs if I can't find an outlet with the laptop.

I've heard a lot of good things about the AlphaSmarts, and since all I'd be doing on it is typing, it's really looking good. 700 hours of battery on three AAs. And since it takes a USB cable, I don't see why it shouldn't take a USB drive.

[magicalbookworm.livejournal.com]

I have a sony clie (its old 5 years) and a small fold up infered keyboard. also fold up. you do need a good size space so the keyboard will talk to the pda, but it has worked great. the sony clie i have dosen't take word, but there's a great program called wordsmith that works very will with the one i have :) and from a quick glance on ebay, there are some there for not that much. Though i didn't look for keyboard.

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

how's the Clie on battery life? I'll definitely look at this as well - I'm looking into a lot of different options. thanks!

[magicalbookworm.livejournal.com]

mine's now five years old. if i use it maybe an hour a day for writing without the back light on (i have a lamp i can use to see better by) it'll last a while. Though i should try and find a new battery for mine :) It also charges in 3-4 hours. plug it in a night etc. the keyboard i have runs on a aaa battery, so it doesn't drain the Pda battery.

[mistri.livejournal.com]

This is a very old Alphasmart, several versions back. I don't think even the newest ones have a USB drive (or I'd use my Neo even more than I do) - they connect to PC via a usb cable, but you can't put flash keys in it. I would personally be wary of buying one that old.

I did start off with an Alphasmart 3000, and loved it - so perhaps see if you can get one of those (they don't make them anymore, but they're newer than the one in that eBay link).

I'm a member of a Flickr Alphasmart group that may be able to offer some advice as well: http://www.flickr.com/groups/alphasmart/

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

Good to know - thanks! There are a couple of Neos and Danas on auction too - maybe I'll look at those instead.

[peartreealley.livejournal.com]

That is an old AlphaSmart with a weird description, and a cursory look doesn't imply it even comes with a connection cord. I would avoid it, because the headaches and connection cord might not be worth the price.

The newer ones (talking Neo) hold about 200 single pages of writing on it and you upload/download text using the USB connection cord (the AlphaSmart side is not a USB, but the computer side is). They have 8 file slots, I just use one each day, and then upload and add it to the manuscript on my computer when I get home.

If your boss is okay with you using an AlphaSmart, it might be worth the money to spring for one when you can. I've seen the other suggestions on here, and I can say this:

I own a 4 pound ultraportable laptop with kick-ass battery life... for a laptop.
I own a PDA.
And I own an AlphaSmart.

Gratutious? Maybe, but they all serve a specific need. For simple day to day writing on a nice keyboard, no requirement for a hard surface, light weight (2 pounds), and battery life so long it's never an issue, no worries about damaging in transit because they are made for kids, too*, the AlphaSmart wins hands down and that's why, when I'm working on a writing project, it gets toted in my backpack day and night.

I even use it just while drafting at home because the small screen and lack of Internet keeps me focused :D

I wax poetic about my AlphaSmart in the comments of here, and this is a great review about what makes them so good.

Okay. So. Short version: Yes, you should get an AlphaSmart (Neo or 3000, which is the most recent sunseted model), which you might be able to get on eBay. MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A CONNECTION CORD INCLUDED. Or if it's the Neo you can get a replacement easily enough on their website.

I wouldn't get the one linked, though.

(*Sometimes, to demonstrate, I bang my AlphaSmart against a hard surface and/or throw it and watch people cringe.)

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

Okay, I think I'm sold. There's a Neo that is up as well, with a connection cable, and it's only about $30. I'm going to get it.

Thanks!

[peartreealley.livejournal.com]

Woohoo!

You're like the 5th or 6th person I've convinced to get one, and I've not heard anyone complain.

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

Well, I'll let you know, especially after Pennsic. That will be the true test.