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Neo From AlphaSmart

About.com Rating fourhalf out of Five

From Catherine Roseberry, for About.com

Neo by AlphaSmart

Neo by AlphaSmart

AlphaSmart, Inc.

The Bottom Line

Thinking outside the box and using new ways to work is a given for any mobile professional. When considering the Neo and how it can benefit you, keep in mind the ease of use and long battery life. The Neo can be used in a variety of industries beyond education.
Pros
  • Long operating time - over 700 hours on AA alkaline batteries.
  • Compatible with Mac and Windows systems.
  • Easy to use.
Cons
  • Neoprene carrying case could use a handle or shoulder strap.

Description

  • Large and easy to read display.
  • AlphaWord Plus word processing program.
  • +700 hours of operating time with 3 standard AA alkaline batteries.
  • Using rechargeable battery pack provides +200 hours of operating time.
  • Built-in industry standard IrDA port. Information easily shared between devices or Palm OS devices.
  • USB port for printing or connecting to a PC or Mac.
  • Additional SmartApplets can be installed for increased functionality.
  • Plenty of storage space for documents.
  • One touch access to 8 files and additional files can be saved with any name you wish.
  • AlphaSmart Manager used to retrieve & transfer documents between Neo's.

Guide Review - Neo From AlphaSmart

When reviewing and using the Neo, I tried to imagine the different scenarios where it would be useful for mobile professionals. While some may be put off by the fact it can't be used to access the Internet, there are still a great many circumstances where the Neo can be used.

Businesses which require their mobile professionals to gather and input data on a regular basis will find that the Neo is up to the challenge. It's a great mobile device especially for workers that are less Internet savvy and won't always have a means to connect to the Internet.

Weighing only 2 lbs it's lighter than most laptops and easy to take into meetings, you also don't need to worry about a power source, so it can be used just about anywhere.

With the ability to share information between Palm OS devices or other AlphaSmart products using the Beamer, the Neo provides a method of sharing and collaboration.

I like how easy it is to use the Neo and had no problems creating documents, then transferring that information to my laptop and desktop. It's a very comfortable device to use and you won't get frustrated when you have to enter a great deal of text. If you have a USB printer as most newer printers are, then you'll find no problems there.

Think beyond this being a mobile device just for students and consider how it can be used within your own organization. You just may be surprised at the ideas you come up with.

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