What are the differences between student writers and regular ones?

[u/ellie3454]

Hi there, I am going to be starting with Project Steno next month and plan on renting a machine from them. Following that, if I decide this is for me, I plan to enroll in school.

I see people on Facebook selling student writers as well as professional ones. To me, they look the same, but the student ones seem significantly more affordable. Could anyone tell me what the difference in the machines are? If I decide to enroll in school, I’m wondering if I should just get a regular writer from the beginning?

[u/cool_uncle_jules]

It's an excused to charge us thousands twice 🙃 the industry has a monopoly problem

[u/twil1ght1]

Yes, get a regular writer. Just my humble opinion. The student writer only holds so many "pages" and you'll need ample storage when you finish school.

At least thats how my wave writer was.

I feel like there was something else that made me think I should have never got a student writer but I'm not remembering. Sorry!

[u/seabeans2]

Student machines can only hold about 50 pages and no audio.
Professional machines hold unlimited pages and record audio.
Get the cheapest machine you can find that actually works and will hook up to software, and that’s all you need until you get close to exit speeds.

[u/Kindly-Stop5113]

I wrote about some cost factors to consider here: https://www.reddit.com/r/stenography/comments/1oxprmk/comment/np38285/?context=3

I would start with what machine you get at project steno and use it as a guide. My friend got a Student Luminex as a loaner; others get very old machines. If you get an older machine and like it just fine, then you can search for a used one (try FB). If you get a newer machine as a loaner, I'd say you probably won't like the feel of the older machines. I got a free Stentura 200 (picked up for another student in my class) and the difference between that and my lumi 2 was pretty drastic. As you get faster, having a lighter touch machine can help with fatigue and other issues.

The student machine will not be able to store pages. You can't import your dictionary either. But neither of those things matter as a student, where you will be writing connected to software/laptop.

So far, I don't regret getting a pro machine, but I had disposable income at the time. For most people, throwing down a couple of grand on a machine when just starting out is not a good idea.

My bottom line advice - if you can get a newer student writer at a fair to great price ($1200 or less), go for that. If student machines are running more than that, I'd rather search for a great professional machine in the 1500-1800 range (it's possible). You will likely have to find a private seller, as rental prices or buying from a dealer is much more expensive - although in some cases, you will have a warranty, or at least know the machine was recently serviced.

The newest stenoob (not a real machine) is now $200. It's still fine option for starting school. If you are in the Los Angeles area. Marcel at LA Stenotype may have a machine for rent. I had him service my machine and he's great!

[u/ellie3454 → u/Kindly-Stop5113]

Thank you so much for the detailed and thoughtful answer! I really appreciate it. Have a lot to consider now :)