Notebook alternatives for writing on the go

The Dana is old technology but still an almost ideal computer for writing on the go. The Dana is basically a palm computer with a huge keyboard and double the display size. This computer is designed with word processing in mind. Because it uses Palm OS it is compatible with many of the same programs you use on a regular palm handheld along with applications designed especially for the Dana.

Reasons why the Dana is perfect for writing away from home:

• It's portable (only 2 pounds)
• It's durable (flash memory - no hard drive)
• You won't get too distracted with non-writing activities because it's not really a "fun" computer. You most likely will not be surfing the internet with it.
• 25 hours of battery life plus the option of disposable battery power (you could leave home without a charger)

The iPhone or iPod touch are not the ideal writing computers because they lack a physical keyboard and word processing software. One thing they have going for them is that they are ultra-portable (they fit in a pocket) and they are internet devices. Having internet connectivity allows you to use the iPod or iPhone to write a first draft on the go and email it to a service like Google Docs for editing later.

Read my article about writing applications on the iPod touch

Samsung NC10-14GB 10.2-Inch Netbook
(1.6 GHz Intel Atom Processor, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, 6 Cell Battery, XP Home) Blue

Netbooks across the board tend to have a lot in common in terms of specs. They are light, portable, computers. To achieve their small build, the optical drive, screen size, and keyboard space are sacrificed. Some netbooks have extremely small keys which do not make them ideal writing computers.

I recommend the Samsung NC10 as a netbook for writing because it features a larger keyboard, a six-cell battery, a 10.2 inch display, and the familiar Windows XP operating system.