Alpha

Click + Drag
Alpha White Speckled
$289.00 $349.00
Ultra-Portable
Less than 2 lbs. and ready to go on the train, across the country, to the park, or wherever.
Instant On
Alpha is ready in an instant. No booting up or loading software; you're instantly met with a writing canvas.
Continuous Saving
Alpha is constantly saving your writing to the device and can store up to one million words.
Optimized For Writing
Alpha keeps your writing flow going by intentionally limiting editing capabilities. No spell-check, copy/paste, or grammar suggestions to break concentration.

Display

full-size mechanical keyboard

Comfortable Control

Display

write There, Now

Alpha has an instant refresh LCD display, perfect for focused drafting.

Instant refresh and anti-glare
2-4 lines of text to stay focused
Ambient lighting allows use under direct lighting
Won't wash out

full-size mechanical keyboard

Typing Nirvana

Experience the perfect writing companion keyboard powered by Kailh Choc V2 low-profile key switches for quiet yet satisfying typing and reduced finger fatigue.

Glide from one word to the next on the perfect blend of performance and comfort.
Choc V2 low-profile key switches for satisfying typing
Reduced finger fatigue

Comfortable Control

Compose with Poise

Use the kickstand to tilt Alpha as you sit at a table, or fold it to type comfortably on your lap in a chair. An integrated palm rest provides support for your wrists in any position.

Use kickstand for comfortable angle
Integrated palm rest for your wrists

100-Hour Battery Life

Stay plugged out

With its compact design and battery life of 100 hours, Alpha takes you further on your creative journey.  Always be ready when inspiration strikes.  

Automatic Cloud Syncing 

Safe And Secure

Alpha is constantly saving your writing locally to the device AND to the cloud.

All documents are automatically backed up once connected to Wi-Fi and are accessible in Freewrite’s web application, Postbox. Documents can also be synced to Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and Evernote.

If you’re ever off the grid, transfer documents offline by connecting Alpha to your computer with the included USB cable.

No Pressure, Just Prose

Your New Drafting Platform

Minimizing distractions is key to unlocking your creative potential. Unleash your creativity and achieve your literary goals with Freewrite.

See data about your writing session on the console screen
Draft manager and 'WASD' arrow keys to move within your documents
Capable of over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates.
Enhanced capabilities with Freewrite Plus
Reviews

Customer Reviews

Based on 54 reviews
52%
(28)
22%
(12)
11%
(6)
9%
(5)
6%
(3)
M
Mark Ludas (Newark, US)
definitely the best device

I have a smart typewriter, but I wanted something more portable and also to be able to keep my typewriter at my fiction desk and have another device at my diary desk (I'm big on desks), as well as the ability to bring the second device with me to the coworking space without it taking up a third of my backpack.

The Alpha is perfect. It has the nicer keyboard in many ways. Its LCD display is immediate and responsive, unlike the e-Ink display on the typewriter, which is like talking through a tired old man who can barely keep his eyes open. So I'm very glad I got it. I still like my typewriter, but the Alpha is now my favorite. I didn't consider the Traveler because I didn't like the dinky keyboard sound, and also, even though I could've potentially positioned the screen for better comfort, I didn't think it would make enough of a difference to pay an extra 150-200 bucks or what-have-you. I might be wrong, but I have no regrets.

A
Anonymous (Daly City, US)
A joy to type on

I love being able to just turn on the Alpha and write! The form factor makes it perfect for lap writing or writing in bed, and the device itself is very light. The screen is pretty dark, but one of the things I like about the device is that it frees me from reading over what I’ve just written and keeps me moving forward. The battery life is phenomenal. Overall this is a great addition to my workflow

M
Matthew McLean (Birmingham, US)
Good in theory, not so good in practice

The Alpha felt a little too feature-less for me, and I ended up sending it back in favor of the Traveler version. Love what you all are doing and I'm excited to get my Traveler and start writing!

J
Jason Macor (Gettysburg, US)
Stop asking why it works, it just does.

This is as much a message to myself, as a review for the Alpha. Within
the context of a piece of technology, the Alpha is at best a strange
beast, and in a harsher reality quite a terrible piece of tech.

The screen is too dim, even in broad daylight. The key caps are flat,
have quite a bit of wobble, and I consistently type less accurately on
them (I even tried swapping out for key caps that were not flat
chiclets). The built quality is okay, but not exactly premium. The
technology definitely leaves more than a lot to be desired, and for
such a premium price if you just look at that and don't use it, you'll
definitely be disappointed.

Here's the thing though, I keep going back to the Alpha, and I write
more on the Alpha than I ever did on any other device. Decidedly more
than I could ever write by hand (that ship has sailed as I now just
give myself cramps trying to hand write anything longer than a
paragraph or two). So I started to ask myself, why the hell is this
working? And then I stopped, because it was working. I was writing
more, and that was the point. I kept trying to find the value in the
technology, when the true value was in giving me an avenue to write. I
wish there had been a bit more effort made in some areas (the screen in
particular is jarring), but the bottom line is it works.

If you bought any Freewrite device, and feel disappointed I implore you
to just start using it every one in a while. It doesn't make sense, I
can't clarify anything for you, but it definitely works.

J
Jessica Sainio (Lethbridge, CA)
Amazing for distracted minds!

I just love my Freewrite Alpha! I love the concept of distraction-free writing and imperfect drafting (plus it’s just so cute and fun to type on!!). I highly recommend!

Tech specs

Tech specs in detail

Parameters
Body
Polycarbonate
Display
Anti-glare FSTN LCD Display,
2–4 lines of text,
Writing canvas - 164mm x 25mm
Keyboard
Full-size mechanical keyboard featuring Kailh Choc V2 low profile tactile switches
Ports
USB Type-C for charging, offline data transfer
Size
12.6” x 8.5” x 0.8”
(320mm x 215mm x 22mm)
Weight
1.6 lbs (0.7kg)
Configure
Onboard storage
Embedded flash memory
Wi-Fi
2.4 Ghz Wi-Fi with capability for cloud syncing and over-the-air firmware updates
Power
Internal lithium-ion polymer battery 100 hours of running time projected
Supported 3rd party apps
Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Evernote
Supported keyboard languages
English
Traveler
Alpha
Smart Typewriter
Price
$499.00
$289.00 $349.00
$649.00
Display
Display: E Ink™ screen
Writing canvas – 121mm x 70mm
Status window – 121mm x 15mm
Display: Anti-glare FSTN LCD Display,
2–4 lines of text,
Writing canvas - 164mm x 25mm
Display: E Ink™ screen with frontlight,
Writing canvas – 121mm x 68mm,
Status window – 113mm x 18mm
Keyboard
Keyboard: Full-size scissor switch keyboard
Keyboard: Full-size mechanical keyboard featuring Kailh Choc V2 low profile tactile switches
Keyboard: Full-size mechanical keyboard featuring Kailh Box Brown keyswitches and thick PBT keycaps
Size
Size: 11.3” x 5.0” x 0.97”
(288mm x 128mm x 24.7mm)
Size: 12.6” x 8.5” x 0.8”
(320mm x 215mm x 22mm)
Size: 11.7” x 9.3” x 2.8”
(298mm x 237mm x 70mm)
Weight
Weight: 1.6 lbs (0.7 kg)
Weight: 1.6 lbs (0.7kg)
Weight: 4.0 lbs (1.8 kg)
Battery
Battery: Internal lithium-ion polymer battery
4 weeks of running time with regular usage defined as 30 minutes per day
Battery: Internal lithium-ion polymer battery
100 hours of running time projected
Battery: Internal lithium-ion polymer battery,
4 weeks of running time with regular usage defined as 30 minutes per day
Purposes
Purposes: Perfectly portable. Light, compact, and best for traveling.
Purposes: An instant creative canvas for budding writers.
Purposes: Classic and original.
Tiered mechanical keyboard and frontlight E Ink screen
Alpha
Traveler
Smart Typewriter
$289.00 $349.00
$499.00
$649.00
Display: Anti-glare FSTN LCD Display,
2–4 lines of text,
Writing canvas - 164mm x 25mm
Display: E Ink™ screen
Writing canvas – 121mm x 70mm
Status window – 121mm x 15mm
Display: E Ink™ screen with frontlight,
Writing canvas – 121mm x 68mm,
Status window – 113mm x 18mm
Keyboard: Full-size mechanical keyboard featuring Kailh Choc V2 low profile tactile switches
Keyboard: Full-size scissor switch keyboard
Keyboard: Full-size mechanical keyboard featuring Kailh Box Brown keyswitches and thick PBT keycaps
Size: 12.6” x 8.5” x 0.8”
(320mm x 215mm x 22mm)
Size: 11.3” x 5.0” x 0.97”
(288mm x 128mm x 24.7mm)
Size: 11.7” x 9.3” x 2.8”
(298mm x 237mm x 70mm)
Weight: 1.6 lbs (0.7kg)
Weight: 1.6 lbs (0.7 kg)
Weight: 4.0 lbs (1.8 kg)
Battery: Internal lithium-ion polymer battery
100 hours of running time projected
Battery: Internal lithium-ion polymer battery
4 weeks of running time with regular usage defined as 30 minutes per day
Battery: Internal lithium-ion polymer battery,
4 weeks of running time with regular usage defined as 30 minutes per day
Purposes: An instant creative canvas for budding writers.
Purposes: Perfectly portable. Light, compact, and best for traveling.
Purposes: Classic and original.
Tiered mechanical keyboard and frontlight E Ink screen

FAQ

FAQ

What is Alpha?

Alpha is a portable, distraction-free writing tool for serious and aspiring writers. It introduces a fast-refreshing LCD screen to the Freewrite lineup in a portable device that syncs to the cloud and provides an instant-on writing canvas.

If I already have a Freewrite device, should I get Alpha?

All Freewrite devices offer a distraction-free writing experience but cater to different needs. While Traveler is ideal for on-the-go writing with its compact design, and Smart Typewriter provides a tactile, traditional typing experience, both devices feature an E Ink screen. Alpha introduces an instant refresh LCD display paired with a quiet yet satisfying mechanical keyboard experience. Alpha is a great addition to your writing toolbox!

What type of screen does Alpha have?

Alpha has an instant refresh LCD display that shows 2-6 lines of text so you can stay focused. The screen is anti-glare, as well, and utilizes ambient light so that it can be used indoors or in direct light without getting washed out.

What type of keyboard does Alpha have?

Alpha’s keyboard features Kailh Choc V2 low-profile key switches for a quiet yet satisfying typing experience and reduced finger fatigue.

Does Alpha have arrow keys?

Yes. Alpha has WASD arrow keys to move within your drafts.

Can I move documents to my computer without the cloud?

Yes, absolutely and you can use Alpha entirely offline, if you'd like. Connect Alpha to your computer via the included USB-C. cable. When you do this, Alpha will appear as a USB Mass Storage Device, and you'll be able to move your drafts to your computer as you would with any other flash drive.

⚠️ Critical Action: You must update Alpha Firmware when you receive the device!
All new Alpha owners MUST update their firmware to install critical bug fixes and performance improvements BEFORE using the device! For instructions, visit this Help Article

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