Alphasmart Neo2

The Neo2 (Distraction Free) Word Processor

October 30th, 2020

 Here are the first words typed on the Neo2.

There are a few scratches on it, but it is in excellent condition. These are pre-owned machines.

The keyboard is excellent, I like it better than the one on my laptop. The screen is very readable, with only the natural light from the window. I like the four-line setup; it is perfect.

 So far, it's a winner. No fuss, no muss, simple and well-made. It is built like a brick. I set it up to use two keys to turn it on. You hit the on-off switch while holding down the Enter key, so it doesn't turn on accidentally when moving around in a bag or pouch.

This will be my distraction-free writing machine for all of my first drafts.  

It came with three AA Industrial batteries. I changed them to 10-year leak-proof batteries. By the way, when I removed the batteries from the Neo, it didn’t lose my files. I have written over 40,000 words with it, and it is a dream. I purchased a book light for it, and it clips right in the middle at the top of the Neo. 

Update: August 5th, 2025

I just changed the batteries in the Neo2. It has been four years, and I thought it was time to change the batteries. Luckily, there was no corrosion in the battery compartment. When I pulled the AAs out, it lost the file from my last writing. I had transferred the file to my laptop, so I didn't lose any work. I decided to change the backup lithium coin battery inside the Neo2. I watched a YouTube video, changed the CR2032, and the machine works perfectly.

The other video below shows a quick tour of the Neo2 and its predecessor.

Once more, I am amazed at how nice this machine is to type with. Another great thing is that the rubber feet on the Neo keep it from sliding while you type. It has another feature that makes reading the screen nice. The screen is tilted toward you so the overhead light doesn't reflect on it.

When I purchased this, it cost, $55.00. It now sells for $220.00, and they can be hard to find. 

For the money, the Neo2 is a great way to write without the distraction of an online machine. You can easily write an entire novel with one set of batteries. It will also hold over 50,000 words in its eight memory banks.