The Ultimate Mobile Writer’s Computer?
For 2009-2010 anyway.
I have to admit, I’m no longer on top of the computer/electronic gadget marketplace. For work I used to hit Comdex and CES regularly, read all the rags, yada yada yada… definitely had a decent 6 month window view of what was coming (or planned, at least) down the pike. Today? Heck if I know what’s already out in the marketplace, let alone what’s coming. The point is, if what I describe below already exists, do please let me know.
Also, these are my wish-list specs. If there are any other features you think should be added to this list, comment below.
Note that this is essentially a follow-up to a post I made a couple of years ago, Mobile Writers: Do You Really Need a Laptop? Although I still use the tools I mentioned in those posts, tech has moved up considerably since then, warranting an update to specs of the machine I’d like to have.
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Keep in mind that as before, I’m looking for a machine for serious writing, not just the occasional short blog post, FaceBook Status update or Tweet. A machine for full-sized articles… heck, novels. Try doing those on a Blackberry or iPhone.
So, here goes. As you can see, I’m not asking for much. Or am I?
Full-sized keyboard. And real keys. Maybe I can get by with a smaller keyboard (minimum 85-90% of normal, I’m guessing), if I have to, but I’d rather not. I had the HP Jornada 680 way back when (actually, I still have it) which had just such a smaller form factor keyboard; although usable and far and away superior to the alternatives, the size was off just enough to be a distraction. (This, by the way, is one of the reasons I love and still use the AlphaSmart Neo.) That’s the Jornada pictured on the right.
Internet connectivity. I was willing not to have this a couple of years ago in light of the tech available then, but after playing with friends’ iPhones and iPod Touch’s, I now don’t see why this can’t be included in the specs. At first, I was willing to specify “email-only OK,” but after seeing Wordpreneur.com in its full glory on a tiny iPod Touch’s screen, I’m like, “To heck with email-only!”
Instant-on! This is critical. That’s my biggest pet peeve with Windows laptops (I know nothing about Macs) — they take freaking forever to boot up. That’s another reason why I love my Neo — instant-on note taking/idea jotting heaven! Can’t be done for our dream machine? Helloooo. Do I need to point out the iPhone/iPod again?
Now that I’m thinking about it, if they can build iPhones/iPods/Smartphones with full-sized keyboards, we may just be in business!
The following three features I categorize as nice-to-have’s, not necessarily musts.
Larger screen. Yeah, a laptop-size screen would be really nice, but not vital. Something like the Jornada’s would be eminently adequate. This is one physical area where the Neo falls short — its screen is uncomfortably tiny (see pic on right). Not ideal but workable for writing, but not editing. I do realize, however, that its screen is one key reason why the Neo is…
Sturdy as a rock. My Neo’s been banged and knocked around, thrown into bags and backpacks, been in who-knows-how-many flights in-and-out of who-knows-how-many front seat pockets. Daniel, my 1.5yo son, even tried to grab it once from atop the dining room table, managing only to drop it on our wood floor. The Neo’s still chugging happily along. Frankly, I think I’m pushing my Neo’s luck (knock on wood… oh, my Neo already did that!). Folks, if we can get a machine that’s half as sturdy, we’d be happy.
Long battery life. My Neo’s a freak. AlphaSmart claims it will get 700 hours of juice from no more than three (3) alkaline penlight batteries. I’m not kidding. I’m not crazy or no-life enough to test that, but I can confirm this: I’ve gone at least four months on a single set of batteries. But back as close to the real world as we can get: I think if we can swing a machine that’ll go at least 5-6 hours (more than enough and then some for getting some work done on a cross-country flight) before it needs a recharge, then we’ve got a winner!
So there you have it. Thoughts?
— EES
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