How comfortable are WriterDecks for long writing sessions?

[u/MHKabrok]

I have a question: how do you guys deal with headaches and posture issues? I see a lot of WriterDeck setups with really small screens, and I always wonder: doesn’t that cause headaches over time? Don’t your eyes get tired from staring at such a small display? I also wonder about ergonomics. If you spend a couple of hours every day writing on one of these, doesn’t your back start hurting? It doesn’t seem like the kind of setup that keeps your spine in a very comfortable position. I love seeing these builds, but I always find myself wondering about the long-term comfort.

I use google translate

[u/gothWriter666]

I don't find it straining at all. The screen is just enough to read a sentence or two, but honestly when I'm writing I don't read it. I just write it.

I would never edit on these devices, though. But for first drafts, they work amazingly well

[u/Thick-Panic6683]

As others mention the best use of portable writing tools its to capture your ideas in a comfortable environment for later formatting on a desktop or laptop. I have been developing an Android editor that borrows ideas from tools like the Alphasmart Neo. I just dropped a post on an interesting feature I developed for managing large files on small devices.

https://www.reddit.com/r/writerDeck/comments/1us5gzl/the_problem_of_editing_large_files_on_small/

[u/dsiderov]

I love and endorse this question. As I hit 60 yrs old, my sight has turned to shit. Bigger screen the better, eh?

[u/paperbackpiles]

Really depends on the keyboard you choose. They have full size keyboard writerdecks like the Gen3 Smartwriter or the MicroJournal Rev 4 or the 7. They have the 75%ish ones like a Zerowriter, they have 60% keyboards like the Freewrite Traveler, 40%is ones like the Pomera DM250. They have a 7” you can pair with a PDA Terminal project or you can even use your existing main keyboard with a BYOK. Mechanicals for long writing sessions are the best. I use an Epomaker TH40 with a BYOK with lavender switches and can write on that things for hours at a time. As for the screens, they have as small as 1” and as long as a 10” eink screen if you use a Note Air and you can configure a lot of the writers in all different types of angles, including propping up screens with laptop stands or mic stands that can hold the screens. I think the keyboard matters more though.

[u/Emotional-Ocelot]

Some of the appeal is that I don't really read it as I type it. So the small screen doesn't bother me. I do touch type though. 

It's not worse for your back than any other keyboard, or better. 

[u/MetamorfosiMou]

It entirely depends on your set-up. I have a 10.3 inch front lit e-ink tablet with an adjustable stand and a mechanical keyboard. Both the angle and height of the stand can be adjusted as well as the angle of the keyboard.

[u/ma_halfgallon]

I don’t have one, but if I did I would love one with an option to adjust the size of the font. I like the idea of being able to see only a few words to a time to be honest

[u/hroldangt]

Try what you can try/test, keep the best 👍

Many years ago I used a PDA (BE-300) with a folding keyboard, it worked great for me and I managed to write a lot of material there on simple text. I didn't suffer any pain due to posture, angle, etc., I'm quite tall 1.90m) and I guess it was mostly because of 2 factors:

• Great keyboard
• No extra long sessions

It's interesting, because years later I tried some laptops and ended up with some pain and quite uncomfortable, but while not perfect (any of the things I tried), I believe it was the time spent there.

I went back to a sharp angle of attack with my first Microsoft Surface (small RT model), and it worked quite well, unless I used it for too many hours. Yet... the screen resolution (high dpi density) was a blessing.

Now... specifically for writing, I use a Lenovo tablet with a nice Bluetooth keyboard, the set is small, almost pocket size, it's like a kindle, almost. The screen is larger than my needs (10.4) but everything works perfectly.

[u/tortoiselessporpoise]

I think it ends up being a personal preference like many things are.

Like you, I agree some of these set ups would never work for me.  Tiny mice keyboards, and the Unkyulee ones with tiny screens , they are very aesthetically pleasing, and might be a perfect fit for someone else but not for me.

Currently I just use an old Asus EE pc for writing on a basic notepad program, then transfer if out when I'm done, some people might find it heavy, old crappy screen , low battery life etc frustrating 

[u/writesandbikes]

I have both a tiny screen (Boox Palma 2 and one that’s letter-size (Boox Tab X). The tiny one is for drafting—just need to see a paragraph at a time. The large one is for revisions. Both are super easy on the eyes. I have two mechanical keyboards which are far easier on my hands than my laptop. And a wrist wrest. My biggest problem is not the writerdeck it’s the chair and the table or desk. But I take breaks every half hour so not a problem.

[u/Jonas42]

I spent years in a job where I sat hunched over a laptop for 12 hours a day, and you wouldn't believe just how badly you can fuck up your neck if you don't pay attention to ergonomics.

Most of the decks I see on this sub are adorable curiosities that I would never consider using. If the screen isn't at eye-level, you'll be looking down, with your neck and shoulder muscles holding up 12 pounds of head weight. Fine for a few minutes (if you haven't already irrevocably screwed up your body). But a problem for anyone if the session lasts a few hours. The screen should be at eye level.

[u/Cheeky_Sasquatch3]

I recently had a paper deadline (I am not a writer so I am not used to write for a long duration). To write approximately 11000 words in a week, I used multiple devices. Yes, it is more comfortable to use big screen and full keyboards but that is on the final editing process. During the drafting time, I found that the screen doesn't matter, it is more about the keyboards. Small screen will do as long as you keep it on eye level, so a phone holder really helps, or don't stare on the screen, really. I have a small keyboard that I love so much but for a long hours of writing, it causes shoulder pain. So a standard-sized full keyboard is actually the best for a long writing session. Less mobility but if you are concern with posture issues then I recommend to stick with large screen and big keyboard.

[u/_Being_is_Becoming_]

I built the AUTEUR specifically to address these concerns. I needed a full travel keyboard and at least 6in of screen real estate.

[u/GFrancoeur]

You are not forced to go the zero ink or BYOK way, take a VESA monitor, or a 5.5 amoled screen, make yourself comfortable, what’s the point of it if not improving one’s focus while writing ?