AlphaSmart
Written: Feb 09 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Low-cost, weighs only 2 pounds, PC/Mac compatible, rugged, dependable, automatically saves files, free-loaner program, 3 year warranty
Cons: None
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| mjwran's Full Review: AlphaSmart 3000 |
The AlphaSmart 3000 is a low-cost, portable 2 pounds, dependable, and super easy to use keyboard/word processor that is compatible with any PC or Mac. It includes a full-size keyboard, 4 line text display, built-in 70,000 word spell checker and can print directly to most printers. This is a convenient feature. It has a storage capacity of 64 pages with 8 separate files.
The AlphaSmart 2000 (now upgraded to AlphaSmart 3000) runs on 3 AAA batteries for 120-300 hours of typical use. Yes, it's true. My daughter has used it since May 1999. She just put her third set of batteries in on Feb 7, 2000, and she uses the device at least 4 days a week. (The newer version is advertised to run up to 500 hours of typical use.) The device also has an automatic power off (yet saves the text)! You never have to worry about losing a file! There are also features for special needs (sticky keys and key repeat controls) and (left handed and Dvorak keyboard layouts).
Transferring text is easy -- launch any application from your PC or Mac, connect the AlphaSmart using the cable and hit the Send key. When using the infrared transfer, simply point the AlphaSmart towards the IR transceiver and hit the Send key.
It is the most rugged device I have ever seen. When I saw it demonstrated at a conference the speaker took the device and threw it 6 feet away and down hard on the floor. I nearly jumped out of my seat. Then he had someone in the audience turn it on and check the text he had entered. It was OK. Absolutely no word processor, laptop or notebook computer could withstand this. My daughter has accidentally dropped hers twice very hard and it works perfectly with no scratches. Once she had put it in the car next to the door, opened the door, and it slide out onto the hot concrete and 6 feet down our inclined driveway. Another time she forgot she had it in her arms with her school books and just dropped them all on the floor.
The company has a free loaner system where you can try the device out for 2 weeks. You have to have a credit card to do this, of course, in case you would not return the device. My 13 year old daughter tried it on the loan program and decided that day that it was exactly what she wanted. We had previously bought 2 other word processors from JC Penney and Sears. We returned them because they were too heavy and too complicated to transfer text to the computer.
I paid 259.00 for the AlphaSmart 2000 in May 1999. I considered it a steal! It is now available for 149.00 while supplies last. The AlphaSmart 3000 comes out the end of February 2000 and will retail for 199.00. Even cheaper than what I paid last May. I'm sure it will be even better! If all you need is word processing, don't invest in an expensive, easy to break, and hard to maintain notebook or laptop computer. Get a AlphaSmart!!!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
mjwran
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Location: Charleston, West Virginia
Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 1 member
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