Zerowriter Ink is an e-paper word processor for writers interested in an open-source, distraction-free writing tool built around the ESP32-S3 wireless microcontroller. It features a customizable, mechanical keyboard with low-profile Kailh Choc switches and a second-edition Inkplate 5 e-paper display from Soldered Electronics.
The Zerowriter Ink is a compact, dedicated writing tool that can be tossed in a backpack and taken on the road. It is designed as an open-source, customizable alternative to other portable word processors like the Alphasmart Neo and the Pomera DM30. It builds on the first ZeroWriter project but comes fully assembled.
The keyboard is hot-swappable, with a US-English layout and printed legends. The onboard Inkplate 5 e-paper display is powered by an ESP32-S3 microcontroller with support for Wi-Fi 4 and BLE 4. It also comes with a 5,000mAh LiPo battery that can last for several weeks of daily use or a month of standby on a single charge. It looks a bit like the ESP-powered M5Stack Cardputer but has a larger more usable display.
Zerowriter Ink specifications:
- Display – Inkplate 5 v2
- 5.2-inch display with a 1280 x 720 widescreen resolution
- Refresh Rate – Full refresh in 1.02s and partial refresh in 0.19s
- Storage – microSD card
- Keyboard – Hot-swappable, 60% mechanical keyboard with Kailh Choc low-profile switches and keycaps
- USB – USB-C port for file transfers, programming, and charging
- Battery – 5,000mAh LiPo battery
- Dimensions – 295 x 180 x 15 mm
The Zerowriter Ink ESP32-S3-based e-paper word processor features a high-contrast, high-resolution e-paper screen that is readable in sunlight and “eye-friendly.” The firmware is written in Arduino and currently supports basic writing and editing features. Files are stored on the included microSD card and can be managed on the device. There are optional session tools for tracking word count, total writing time, and other milestones. Additional software features currently in development include a no-code keyboard layout editor, keyboard shortcuts, password-protect, and a persistent reference notepad.
The project aims to be completely open-source, and all hardware design files and source code will be published on GitHub before shipping starts. A getting started guide will be included in each package and less tech-savvy writers won’t be stuck trying to figure out how the typewriter works.
The Zerowriter Ink campaign is live on Crowd Supply and is already halfway to its funding goal of $30,000. You can get a ZeroWriter Ink typewriter with a USB C-to-A cable for $199. There is a shipping fee of $8 within the United States and $18 to the rest of the world. Orders are expected to ship by February next year.
Tomisin is a writer specializing in hardware product reviews, comparisons, and explainers. He is very passionate about small form factor and single-board computers.
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I applaud the finished and complete design: there are not that many ESP32-based devices out there that come with a completely closed enclosure, especially when they bring their own keyboard, and this one definitely looks like a finished product. I didn’t know such type of products and am seeing the “Freewrite typewriter” on amazon that seems equivalent and sold for $700 + shipping. I’m having doubts on their exact usefulness after a few days though, as editing text on that small and slow a screen might quickly be cumbersome. And if it’s just for the price, you can get refurbished… Read more »
I wonder about the ergonomics of having the display just above the keys like that. I think I might have used something like this briefly decades ago, but idk.
That was my biggest concern too. It is not very suitable for long periods of use.
I used that 25 years ago on a large Casio calculator. The LCD was as large as the keyboard so it was much less of a problem. It was not pleasant to use due to the small keys primarly, but workable for simple BASIC programming, and I remember that the keys were more annoying than the display.
I’ve occasionally use an Android eink tablet (a Xiaomi Moaan MIX7) with Emacs running in Termux. I just use an Apple magic keyboard attached by bluetooth. I recommend it.
It works very well. Compact, screen is in “portrait” if you want. I’m generally sensitive about input lag – but its tolerable and feels snappier than when I used it as a normal tablet (pressing things with you fingers on eink tablets somehow always feels off b/c of the lag)
Battery life is a non-issue and it fits in any bag
“$32,492 raised” already. Impressive. So people really want this. Nice.
Neovim soon ported
Talk about something w/ a lack of use case. You can buy a more capable used laptop on Craigslist or Facebook marketplace for less, install Linux, and Robert’s your father’s brother.