Updated 03/04/2025
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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 both my description and first look review of the Micro Journal Rev 7. Bottom Line Up Front: this is the true Neo Replacement. I know I said that about the Rev 6, and at the time it was the best replacement to come along, particularly because of the features of the OS and editor. Multiple file spaces, simple editor with navigation keys, no send but an easy enough sync to Google Drive. Also the small screen with a comfortable Mechanical keyboard. Ortholinear wasn't my first choice for keyboard, but with easy keymapping and multiple layers it worked. The Rev 6 is still a fine Neo replacement if you have a tight budget, but this model is a very refined, top-drawer Neo replacement. The same OS and editor (for all intents and purposes) as the Rev 6 with a full size mechanical keyboard and an eInk screen. This rings the bell.
Let me start with the design, because it is stunning. This is an elegant digital typewriter with gently sloping keyboard (rather than flat), a folding screen and even a place to properly clip a rechargeable booklight, which becomes actually part of the aesthetic of the device rather than a clumsy jury rig (to be clear, you supply the booklight, it doesn't come with). It is solid without being heavy, and so comfortable to type on. The typewriter-like scroll wheels on the sides would be wonderful just as design elements, but either one will allow you to scroll up on your text (it isn't line by line smooth scrolling as would happen on a real typewriter, but more like PgUp and PgDn jumps). Pushing in the right side scroll wheel refreshes the screen, pushing in the left scroll wheel in some manner prepares the Rev 7 to be turned off. The SD card is inserted in the resess at the top of the screen. Be careful to line up the card to the reader in the slot if you take it out snd put it back in.
The Rev 7 has an updated version of the software on the Rev 6. The main screen lists 10 numbered file spaces (0-9), plus being able to type D to empty the currently selected file space, W to set up wifi, S for sync and B for back. When you select a filespace, you have the same simple editor as the Rev 6. You type and it keeps track of the number of character (spaces are counted) at the bottom. It saves after x amount of time with no activity or when you use Esc to go out to the menu. It has the same buffer size limitation, so that, although all text is saved in the file, you may not be able to scroll all the way back on-screen. New on this menu is K for "Keyboard Layout." It offers US, UK, Italian, German (QWERTZ), Canadian Multilingual, Belgian (AZERTY) and International. I have not explored all of these yet, but am using US. To sync with Google, you have to follow the same setup instructions the Rev 6 uses on it's quickstart guide. If you have a Rev 6, you can just copy the same Google Sync information from the config.json file on the Rev 6 and copy it into the config.json file on the Rev 7
Now to the eInk screen. I think it's wonderful, but I want to be honest, it isn't perfect, though Un Kyu gets a lot out of it. There are delays, but very short, only intermittently and mostly single character delays, not whole words. I find it mostly ignorable. It doesn't interfere with my drafting. However, I should also say, I'm not a touch typist. I don't know, if you type very fast and are fixed on watching the screen, if it is more bothersome. There is also ghosting that happens on the screen, below where you are writing. Again, I find it ignorable, or, if it gets a bit much, that's what the reset achieved by pushing in the right scroll knob takes care of. It reflashes the screen and you carry on with your drafting. The font is a sans serif font with well-rounded elements a decent spacing between characters for easy readability at the 8 double spaced lines per screen size. There is no way to change font size/lines per screen. The text does not scroll line by line as you type. You start at the top and the lines fill down as you type. When you reach the bottom it does a PgDn jump and your last lime is at the top. I suspect scrolling line by line might require too much screen redrawing on an eInk screen. Adding the booklight, especially with adjustable settings is really helpful, even when there is enough natural illumination to read the screen. Like with real paper, a little light never hurts.
Battery life is very good on this model. I have used this for hours at a time and usually still have 3 LEDs lit on the battery check in the back. No need for an external battery on this one.
This is a bigger device than the other Micro Journals. When I sit it on my ThinkPad T570, it has the same footprint. Not a problem for me since I have used a laptop bag to carry around my devices going back to the Neo. However, it is big because of the full size keyboard. What is really nice is Un Kyu gave it height as well, which allowed him to get a really nice slope on the keyboard rather than keeping it flat. That makes it so much more comfortable to type on. While it is bigger and the build quality is excellent, it is not heavy.
This truly is a great drafting device from a talented designer. I still love my Rev 2 (and Rev 6). I will definitely still use my Rev 2. But the pure simplicity of the Rev 7, combined with a full keyboard, an eInk screen and an inspired typewriter design just checks all the boxes. The build is very solid. A lot of work went into this Writer Deck. This is the first device that makes me feel the same way I felt when I first discovered the Neo, having no idea that any such device existed. This has already become my #1 drafting choice. It is more than being distraction free. It draws you in. It makes you want to keep writing.
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You need to understand that Un Kyu Lee not only designs all his Writer Decks, he also builds them by hand. Because both things take time and care, ordering is tricky. 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. |
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The setup guide for your Rev 7. Clear instructions to get you going from Un Kyu Lee. |
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Here is where you can watch for firmware updates for the Rev 5, 6 and 7 (Not the Rev 2, which runs on Linux). |
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An excellent video demonstration of the Rev 7 by Un Kyu. It will let you see what the eInk screen looks like when typing on it. |
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A thread at the Alphasmart - Writing Tools forum on Flickr. This is the best place to come and ask questions. You can generally find me on that forum. |