We live in an attention economy and that can make it difficult to concentrate. Writing is something that demands attention, but so do the devices we choose to write on.
And what if you had a device dedicated to writing? without distractions? That’s exactly what a WriterDeck is.
Dedicated writing hardware
One device, one purpose
According to Ulysses, the Markdown editor I use, I wrote just 43,000 words last month. I did it all on a MacBook Pro, and while I wouldn’t trade my laptop for anything (except maybe a newer MacBook Pro), I wouldn’t exactly say I’m a paragon of productivity in a distraction-free work environment.
I certainly could have achieved that word count in less time if I had fewer distractions asking for my attention. Notifications pop up constantly, app icons bounce around in the Dock until I attend to them, and my web browser is there waiting to satisfy the queries my impulsive brain can’t resist.
Once upon a time, writing was a simple act of pencil on paper. Later, it became a similar metal-on-tape feat. Even in the electronic age, the first word processors were purpose-built and were simple typewriters. But computers do alland that is a problem.
This is exactly what a writerCover It is designed to remedy. A WriterDeck is a device that exists solely for writing. This is a deliberately vague definition; It could apply to a new retail device, something you build yourself, a crippled laptop, or a leftover writing tool from another era.
I confess that the type of writing I do (articles like this) depends largely on having a browser, software, network tools, and other connected services within copy-and-paste distance. But there are many writing styles that would be better served by a writerDeck.
If simply putting words on a page causes you problems, a WriterDeck can make the process easier and more enjoyable. It could be a novel you’re writing, it could be fan fiction, it could be a journal, it could just be a way to organize your thoughts or take notes.
It could even be for the love of writing on a dedicated digital device, just as you would in a fancy notebook with your favorite pen.
There is a lot of hardware to choose from
Buy, build or BYO
You have three main options if you want a WriterDeck. You can buy something specially designed, you can create something yourself from scratch, or you can use software to turn the hardware you already own into a minimalist writing tool.
Perhaps one of the most important things to consider when going this route is what you will write. There is hardware like BIOK ($199), a minimalist typing terminal that stands for “Bring Your Own Keyboard” and works with a wireless or wired keyboard of your choice.
Devices like the one are rising in price. Pomera DM250US typewriter ($549), which costs as much as a laptop but is designed for focus and portability. Things get even more expensive if you opt for some free writinglike the company’s $1,200 e-ink smart typewriter With built-in mechanical keyboard.
But there are cheaper options, such as open source. Micro Magazine Rev.6which has the option of a DIY kit you put together for $129, and prices go up from there. You can also look for relics of the past from manufacturers such as AlfaSmart (which made popular models like the Neo) or other digital typewriters you find used online or in second hand stores.
You can create your own writing terminals with enough determination, a spare keyboard, hardware like the Raspberry Piand a 3D printer. There is no model to follow here beyond what your idea of the perfect terminal seems like, but there are projects like Frame type and the aforementioned Micro Magazine Project to get out of.
Finally, you also have the option of turning even the oldest and most worn-out laptops into distraction-free writing terminals. Installing a distraction-free writing app on a regular laptop is a good start, but for me that’s not enough to capture the spirit of a writer.
Instead, give writerdeckOS one shot This is a Debian-based Linux distribution running on 64-bit x86 processors, under the mantra of “No distractions. No Internet. No apps. No games. No social media. Just writing.” Another option is Micro Journal PC Editionanother Linux distribution specially designed for lightweight machines.
Get distracted by other people’s designs.
There is a small but dedicated community of WriterDeck fans on Reddit at the r/writerDeck subreddit. Here you can see what machines people are using, get inspired by custom builds, and browse the weird and wonderful setups out there (like u/Psion 5mx by KrokCamen).
If you’re particularly interested in a model or project, you can go down an even more specific rabbit hole by venturing into dedicated subreddits like r/AlfaSmart and r/zerowriter.
The writeDeck community proves that there are no hard and fast rules here and there are many more hardware options than you can imagine.
Looking for another DIY portable computing project to sink your teeth into? Ought embrace your inner nerd and build a Cyberdeck.
