updated 12/14/2025
Proudly WEB 1.0 (with CSS)
All Micro Journal models are designed and hand crafted by Un Kyu Lee. This site represents my own views and I in no official way represent Un Kyu Lee. So, opinions and mistakes here are mine and mine alone. I just truly appreciate these great machines.
This is not a Micro Journal. This is a new 3D printed body to house your Alphasmart Neo or Neo2. You order the kit and assemble it yourself. Or, if you have 3D Printing experience and capabilities, you can download the stl files and Print the parts yourself for free (well, the design files are free)
I love stories of great things coming about by accident. This project came about when the Neo 2 I had sent Un Kyu Lee fell to the floor and the shell broke. That alone is an impressive achievement, breaking the shell of an Alphasmart Neo. But it inspired Un Kyu to create a new shell to house the Neo 2. And what a new body it is.
This has such a classic typewriter vibe. I chose colors similar to old Olympia typewriters I love, but it also has an IBM selectric vibe to it. Inside, it is still all Alphasmart Neo 2, except the battery tray has been replaced. It uses 3 AAA batteries. Changing the batteries requires taking out the screws on the left side of the case and opening that side of the case, but it isn't hard to do and when something lasts up to 350 hours on a single set of batteries, it's not a big deal. But otherwise all the hardware and software are what the Alphasmart Neo or Neo 2 has.
This is a great machine to draft on. Well, that has always been true of the Alphasmart Neo/ Neo2. Though not a mechanical keyboard, the Neo 2's keyboard has always been the finest scissors switch keyboard I have ever encountered. The screen is small, but sharp and high contrast. It has always been very readable indoors or out, though it does require proper lighting unless you use a reading lamp. Having the 8 file spaces directly available with a simple key press is awesome. And being able to send to your computer over the USB cable is, in my opinion, perfect. The Alphasmart Neo has always been, for me, the standard best of class that all other distraction free writer decks get compared to. The one downside of the Neo was how flat it was. This body mod corrects that, gently sloping the keyboard up and having the screen above that and angled up for a much improved viewing angle.
Just in case it's not obvious, all you are buying from Un Kyu is the new shell kit for a Neo or Neo 2. You are not getting the Neo 2 parts included. So, obviously you need to own a Neo or Neo 2 before you can use this. But what a stunning drafting machine you end up with.
|
Where to order the Alphasmart Neo2 Desktop TypeWriter Transform Kit |
Watch the date for the next restock, but you have to act quickly as he will only put up as many as he thinks he can build in the next reasonable period of time. Be patient. It's worth it. There is also a lot of other good information on this page. |
|
Alphasmart Neo2 Desktop TypeWriter Transform Kit information and instructions |
The readme and assembly instructions for your Alphasmart Neo2 Desktop TypeWriter Transform Kit |
|
The design files for 3D printing your own Alphasmart Neo2 Desktop TypeWriter Transform Kit |
You can buy the kit from Un Kyu Lee or, if you have your own 3D printing capability, you can just download these design files. |
|
There are several people on this forum I frequent that have and discuss the Alphasmart Neo2 Desktop TypeWriter Transform Kit. I am H0ok there. Feel free to ask questions and we'll try to help. |
All content © 2025 Hook Mountain Studios, except where other authorship or sources are indicated.
If you would like to contact me, you can either find me on the Alphasmart-Writing Tools Forum on Flickr or you can Email me.