Loads of typing on a non-backlit screen

[Gaith]

Hello all,

I got a Kindle 3 for Christmas, and it's great for reading, but I find myself just a wee bit pissed that I can't plug in an external keyboard (through the same port as its USB connector), lay it on its side, and turn it into a full-on typewriter. I'd love to be able to type out long-form stuff for hours on end, but could never do so on a standard backlit computer monitor, and don't have the space or cash for something as clunky as a typewriter.

So, until a bona fide e-Ink typewriter comes along, can anyone recommend a non-backlit typing device (ideally with not too tiny a screen) that will accept a standard USB keyboard? Old PDAs, maybe? Or have I just picked the wrong year to ask for such a thing?

 

[Mr. B]

I'm not sure anything like that is made today You might look into "portable computers" ca. 1990.... like an Amstrad NC series or Apple eMate

 

[Snaploud]

I've tried typing on a kindle 3. I can't imagine a kindle 3 handling the speed of a real keyboard. It has too much a delay between each keystroke. You're probably going to have to wait for the technology to improve a bit first.

Edit: The real trick would be to make sure it doesn't refresh at every keystroke. Otherwise, it will just have an annoying delay and kill the battery-life.

Edit: I did a quick search. Apparently, Pocketbook is planning the following:

• The PB302, a newly developed 6” E-Ink reader with all the bells and whistles of a modern device including touchscreen, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity and USB host capability.

http://www.the-digital-reader.com/2010/02/18/pocketbook-global-to-lauch-pb302-ebook-reader-at-cebit/

 

[Gaith]

You might look into "portable computers" ca. 1990.... like an Amstrad NC series or Apple eMate

Uh... pass, thanks.

I've tried typing on a kindle 3. I can't imagine a kindle 3 handling the speed of a real keyboard. It has too much a delay between each keystroke. You're probably going to have to wait for the technology to improve a bit first.

Edit: The real trick would be to make sure it doesn't refresh at every keystroke. Otherwise, it will just have an annoying delay and kill the battery-life.

I wouldn't mind the delay (which is really rather small) for the trade-off of non-backlit typing myself...

I did a quick search. Apparently, Pocketbook is planning the following:

• The PB302, a newly developed 6” E-Ink reader with all the bells and whistles of a modern device including touchscreen, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity and USB host capability.

http://www.the-digital-reader.com/2010/02/18/pocketbook-global-to-lauch-pb302-ebook-reader-at-cebit/

Huh, thanks; something to watch...

 

[Gaith]

BTW, typewriters also have a slight delay from hitting the key to printing the character, but people were fine with that for decades...

 

[Robert Maxwell]

BTW, typewriters also have a slight delay from hitting the key to printing the character, but people were fine with that for decades...

How so? The letter doesn't hit the page until the key is fully depressed, at least in the case of a manual typewriter. There is no delay at all!

There might be a small delay in electronic typewriters but I doubt it's substantial--probably not much worse than a computer.

 

[Gaith]

How so? The letter doesn't hit the page until the key is fully depressed, at least in the case of a manual typewriter. There is no delay at all!

But that's just it - there's a delay in that you need to push they key down much further than you do a computer key; you just don't notice it because you're used to it - just as you'd get used to the very short delay on e-Ink screens.

There might be a small delay in electronic typewriters but I doubt it's substantial--probably not much worse than a computer.

There is a delay, and no, it isn't substantial, but it's definitely a little longer than that of single-character changes on the new Kindles.

Point is, the brief e-Ink display shouldn't get in the way of e-Ink typing, imho.

 

[Anticitizen]

Check this out:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/05/notion-ink-adam-hands-on-preview-video/

I certainly want one. Android tablet with a magical screen that switches from LCD to e-ink at the touch of a button.

Get a Bluetooth external keyboard. Bingo!

 

[Gaith]

^ Not E Ink as in the Kindle tech, but an otherwise conventional LCD with an option to remove the backlight for full-motion b&w use... with the first device set to release this year, for under $400.

Most impressive.

In a few years, people will hardly be able to believe the eyestrain we put up with to do simple, computer-based typing.

 

[MikePG]

.....until a bona fide e-Ink typewriter comes along, can anyone recommend a non-backlit typing device (ideally with not too tiny a screen) that will accept a standard USB keyboard? Old PDAs, maybe? Or have I just picked the wrong year to ask for such a thing?

In October I bought a PixelQ 10" screen (allows you to switch off the backlighting) and fitted it to a Samsung N130 netbook. It's not ideal, because the contrast is poor. This means that if you are using it indoors in the evening without daylight, you need strong artificial light directed at the screen in order to be able to read it. Nevertheless I don't want to complain too much, because it has save my eyeballs from being fried when using a normal backlit screen (I seem to be particularly photo-sensitive). You can of course plug in a normal USB keyboard into one of the USB ports.
Not a cheap solution (about £200 for the screen and £230 for the netbook), but it has saved my eyes.