Best ereader for writers?

[pitifulparfait]

Hi there, I hope someone can help me.

I'm a writer looking to set up a relatively distraction-free writing environment. I don't like the aesthetics of the AlphaSmart (screen too small) or Freewrite (fugly), so I'm imagining an ereader which I can sit on a shelf at eye-level above my desk while I type.

Essentials:
* Connects to a bluetooth keyboard (like a generic Amazon one)
* Storage (cloud or SD) OR the ability to easily transfer files
* Text editor app

Nice-to-have:
* landscape mode
* Google Docs
* Screensaver
* Light
* Other apps
* Affordable (money is tight right now, but this isn't urgent, so I could save up)

Things that don't matter to me:
* Battery life (it'll spend most of its life on my desk, so I can plug it in often)
* Weight (I won't be holding it much)
* Audio (won't be listening to music or audiobooks)
* Screen size (even a 6 inch is better than an Alphasmart)
* Web browser (I don't need it, and it wouldn't be much of a distraction in black and white e-ink)
* Games

I'm fairly tech savvy, so could teach myself to sideload/jailbreak. Happy to sacrifice out-of-the-box functionality for price. After hours of research I think my best option is a Boox Note Pro... anyone got any other ideas? Thanks in advance!

[BookCat]

Personally, I like Alphasmarts and have two Neos. I also have a small 12" laptop (an old Lenovo Thinkpad X200) which I bought cheaply from ebay and use specifically for writing, never connecting it to the internet.

Maybe a tablet, a Kindle Fire for example, might work? But you might be better off with something Android. I'm not sure if the Fire is.

[Quoth]

Use a decent non-glare laptop and LibreOffice Writer to write. Or Kate on Linux (Notepad++ on Windows) if you want to type and later format.

Only use an eReader via calibre (Docx ->epub) to proof read & annotate. Copy back via Calibre. The Kobo Libra is best value for that, Kobo Utilities in Calibre to read back annotations.

The eInk is ghastly to edit on. Also a decent size one costs more than a decent matt/glare-free laptop.

[BookCat]

I'm not sure if they've started manufacturing it yet, but the Freewrite Traveller might suit you. However, it's hellishly expensive.

[JSWolf]

An iPad with a keyboard cover would be very good for what you want.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

An iPad with a keyboard cover would be very good for what you want.

But a decent laptop will cost less, better keyboard and not a walled garden. An iPad, or the rather cheaper Android equivalent CAN be used for content creation, but poor compared with Mac, Windows or Linux on a $400 laptop. The 10" or bigger tablets are good for PDFs.
For writing a 15" to 17" laptop lets you have a 2nd window with notes on characters, plot, places etc.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by FrustratedReader

But a decent laptop will cost less, better keyboard and not a walled garden. An iPad, or the rather cheaper Android equivalent CAN be used for content creation, but poor compared with Mac, Windows or Linux on a $400 laptop. The 10" or bigger tablets are good for PDFs.
For writing a 15" to 17" laptop lets you have a 2nd window with notes on characters, plot, places etc.

True that a decent laptop will be better for writing. Just make sure that the laptop has a FHD screen and at least a 15.6" screen but preferably a 17.3" screen.

[BookCat]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

True that a decent laptop will be better for writing. Just make sure that the laptop has a FHD screen and at least a 15.6" screen but preferably a 17.3" screen.

I quite like my small, compact 12" Lenovo writing laptop. The size keeps me focussed, and is still big enough for programs like Scrivener etc.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by pitifulparfait

Hi there, I hope someone can help me.

I'm a writer looking to set up a relatively distraction-free writing environment. I don't like the aesthetics of the AlphaSmart (screen too small) or Freewrite (fugly), so I'm imagining an ereader which I can sit on a shelf at eye-level above my desk while I type.

Can I please clarify whether you're looking for:
1. A writing device that will also double as a handheld reader (in which case I echo the tablet advice others have given)
2. Just a writing device (in which case I agree with using a real computer with an external keyboard for ergonomics), or
3. An e-ink display (which you haven't mentioned)?

Whatever device you get, you're the one who controls the distractions.

[JSWolf]

I suggest a Microsoft Surface Pro for your writing and reading.

[BlankEyes]

Scrivener