I Finally Found My Foleo!

[Hook]

I have found my solution for a Foleo-like lapwriter. It is not an ASUS eePC, it is not a UMPC. It is, in fact, rather retro. It is a modular combination of my TX (Hookette) with a new Neo 2 from Alphasmart(named Raven). For those that don't know, Alphasmart makes two devices with full-size keyboards. One, the DANA, is a Palm OS 4 PDA. The other, Neo (and now Neo 2), is not a PDA, it is simply a keybord with a multiline liquid crystal display (2-11 lines, depending on the font) some memory and some software for writing and spell checking. The only OS is in the sense that a calculator has an OS.

The Neo 2 is decidedly retro, but it is very nearly the perfect writing machine. The keyboard is truly full size, probably the most comfortable keyboard I have ever used. The unit is very sturdy and weighs only 2 pounds, and it is easy to carry around like a clip board or throw into a case (I carry a case most of the week). It sits nicely on my lap anywhere I happen to be, it is instant on (starts up in whatever file you were working on last, and it gets 700 hours on a set of 3 AA batteries.

It also synchronizes to both my computer and my TX very nicely and easily. I can transfer files with a USB cable to my computer either by moving the file over as a text file or by having the Neo 2 type (literally) it into any open application of my choosing (a new word document, a Brighthand Forum text box, anything). With Getdublu installed on my TX I can effortlessly beam a Neo file to my SD card as a text file for either DTG or Cardtxt.

Further, with my TX in my pocket and my Neo in my lap, I am happily writing away while listening to MP3s and checking story notes in Splash Notes on the TX when I need to. If I am near a hot spot and really had to, I could check something on the internet, but rarely need to while writing. Both of these devices now travel with me most everywhere I go.

This is about as perfect as it gets right now. When I am focused into writing, there is very little on the keyboard to distract me and I can write anywhere. If I ever get a new PDA, I will need to make sure it has IR or I will lose that leg of the triangle (though I suspect that a WM device with USB host might work), but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. I expect to have my TX for a quite long time.

Not a solution for everyone, the Neo 2 borders on being Off-Topic on Brighthand, but it works for me.

Here is the list I made in August of what I wanted from the Foleo. Let's see how I did:

It is small, light weight and, since I almost always have a bag or backpack with me, it would be easy to almost always have it with me.

Check

It would give me quick access to a full-size keyboard and a large screen that could probably stand up to daylight better than the TX screen.

OK, didn't get the large screen, but the screen has good contrast without a backlight and is very readable in most conditions I have been in. The full size keyboard is and always was my TOP priority.

It should sit pretty comfortably and balance nicely on my lap, without a table, even while typing with the train rocking.

Check.

I can carry around most anything I need on a large SD or CF card.

Would have gotten this if I went for the more expensive DANA, but wasn't worth the extra money when I have a TX already. So, I sort of got it, just differently than I was envisioning.

If I need to look something up on the internet or email someone, I can connect via wifi at home or a hotspot (I do not plan to have a Treo at this time, though that could change) Email is not, by the way, a priority at all. Most of my serious email is done through my Blackberry.

I have this, but it is my TX that has the ability, not the Neo 2, so I don't get to use the big keyboard for this scenario, but this scenario has become even less important to me.

I am hoping I can sync with computer using wifi, but it is ok if I have to just resort to passing the memory card back and forth. Being able to sync with my TX would be gravy, but is not necessary.

Gravy or not, Check.

It will be a simple device with reasonable battery life that will just let me write, write, write without the computer getting in the way

Bingo!

YMMV, I am not pushing this as something that a lot of people here should run out and get, I just wanted to share that I finally have what I've been looking for, or at least as close as I can get for a price tag under $300 (I don't count the price of my TX since I already had that). I would have liked it if the Foleo had given it to me in one device (It may not have), but this works just fine.

[Antoine Wright]

And here I thought I was doing well with an old $100 WinXp laptop with only Opera 9.5 beta installed on it as a suitable Foleo replacement.

[lelisa13p]

That's very interesting, Hook! I'd wondered about the new avatar & knew that you'd been looking at the Neo2 when you put up a link earlier. I looked at the product & thought it interesting; there was a section about entire classrooms using them as a tool, along with the teacher.

Nice picture; I like your representative statue.

Reps to you for making your dream come true.

[vrf]

Great report, Hook! Neo rocks.

And yes, the Neo will work with a PPC with USB host. So you can beam files over, or send them. And Neo then works as a keyboard for the PPC.

[Hook]

And yes, the Neo will work with a PPC with USB host. So you can beam files over, or send them. And Neo then works as a keyboard for the PPC.

Yes, that is the one thing I REALLY wish I could do with a TX-- use the Neo as it's keyboard.

[liu_zhiyu]

Actually I've been using the original IR keyboard from Palm for over three years, first with Tungsten E and now with a TX. It's good and I think better than all the BT combinations: the IR drains next to nothing from the battery!

But I still think Foleo would be a not very bad idea because of the much bigger screen ...

[Hook]

I've used the Palm IR keyboard as well, and yes it does pretty well. But the Neo/ Neo2 keyboard is just incredible. The Palm keyboard is just collecting dust now.

[boczkowski]

Yes, that is the one thing I REALLY wish I could do with a TX-- use the Neo as it's keyboard.

oooooh

now that's a challenge (or is it?)

I take it you mean in place of an IR kybrd yeah? SO you could use Neo to navigate around TX and surf etc rather than just write with

[Hook]

oooooh

now that's a challenge (or is it?)

I take it you mean in place of an IR kybrd yeah? SO you could use Neo to navigate around TX and surf etc rather than just write with

I don't know about navigation, but the Neo will act as a keyboard for a PPC with USB Host capabilities. I beieve it works with the Axim 50v and should with the new IPAQ 210. Which means, if my TX ever dies...

Upshot, it is the USB connection that works. For IR to work, it would take a specific driver.

[r0k]

I don't know about navigation, but the Neo will act as a keyboard for a PPC with USB Host capabilities. I beieve it works with the Axim 50v and should with the new IPAQ 210. Which means, if my TX ever dies...

Upshot, it is the USB connection that works. For IR to work, it would take a specific driver.

Hook, Sorry to wake up an old thread.

I was looking for an image to wish a member congrats today and stumbled across this fine Foleo Replacement, and for just about the cost of a macbook too...