Micro Journal Rev.2 - Mother of Twins

Name: Micro Journal Rev.2 - Mother of Twins
SKU: 35719
Price: 289.00 USD
Availability: OutOfStock
Rating: 5.00 (5 reviews)

(5 Reviews)

A retro mini laptop designed for writing. It is a personal, inspiring device where a writer can find solitude and immerse themselves in.

Designed by Un Kyu Lee in Italy

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$289.00

Out of Stock

Sold out since Mar 19, 2025

A retro mini laptop designed for writing. It is a personal, inspiring device where a writer can find solitude and immerse themselves in.

Restock 3rd April, Thursday, 6 PM in Italy Micro Journal Rev.2 Revamp: Mother of Twins Introducing the Distraction-Free Writing Device. A modern solution with a nostalgic twist, designed specifically…

Restock 3rd April, Thursday, 6 PM in Italy

Micro Journal Rev.2 Revamp: Mother of Twins

Introducing the Distraction-Free Writing Device. A modern solution with a nostalgic twist, designed specifically for writers who crave focus and mobility. Inspired by the classic aesthetics of an old typewriter, this foldable device is a perfect blend of vintage charm and contemporary functionality. It features a compact, mini keyboard that allows you to write anywhere, anytime, without the constant buzz of notifications.

A mother of energetic twin requested a foldable design to provide a crucial first layer of protection against her curious little ones. While nothing is guaranteed, an open design wouldn’t last a day in that environment. Hearing about her situation, I couldn’t help but take on the challenge. Family is a blessing, but the writing must go on. With this in mind, I dedicated myself to creating the foldable Micro Journal. Designed to be both practical and durable, offering writers the freedom to work anywhere while keeping their devices safe.

Micro Journal Rev.2 consists of

3D printed enclosure
Assembled Keyboard, Raspberry Pi 2W, and display
32 GB micro SD card
Quickstart guide to set up the device

Note: Micro Journal Rev.2 doesn't operate with the battery. You will need to supply power with a portable battery bank or a phone charger

Include mechanical switches and keycaps

Opt for the "include mechanical switches and keycaps" option to receive a fully assembled device, requiring only battery installation. Your switches will be offering an incredible tactile sensation and a pleasing sound profile, striking a balance between clacky and linear switches. These switches are immensely satisfying and happen to be my personal favorite. Moreover, this option retains the hot-swappable socketed PCB feature, enabling future mechanical keyboard switch changes at your convenience.

Include mechanical switches and keycaps (Silent)

Silent Switch VS Clicky Switch Comparison

Silent switch is very silent and it is adequate to use in a place where you need to keep the noise level in check. Keyboard noise is mainly caused when the key press reaches the bottom and the sound is coming from the clash to the floor. Silent switches makes it feel like the last part of the clash is soften out by a sponge. It feels like the register is landing to the cloud. A soft landing.

Custom Colors

You can request for custom colors. Please, contact the shop owner as soon as you have made the order. Make sure to get confirmation of your color options.

Here are color options that are already set by previous users

Key Features

Distraction free writing on Digital Typewriter

Transport yourself back in time, sitting in front of a classic typewriter, fully immersed in the rhythm of each keystroke. You feel the satisfying click of the keys and the mechanical precision as you roll the knobs to adjust the line spacing. The Distraction-Free Writing Device brings that nostalgia into the digital age, offering the closest experience to a traditional typewriter. With its tactile feedback and vintage-inspired design, this device captures the essence of focused writing, blending the charm of the past with the convenience of modern technology.

Have your own keyboard layout

AZERTY, QWERTY, DVORAK... you name it—the Micro Journal Rev.2 allows you to remap the keys to suit your unique preferences. Don’t like where the space key is placed? No problem! You can easily reposition it or even configure two keys side by side to create a new, custom space bar. The entire key layout is yours to customize. With both a surface layer and a hidden layer, you have the flexibility to configure up to 96 keys to meet your needs. Adjusting the layout is as simple as copying a configuration file to the SD card, and a detailed guide will walk you through this in the quick start manual.

Powered by QMK Vial, the Micro Journal Rev.2 offers extensive customization features to enhance your keyboard control. With options like long presses, tap dance, and other advanced actions, you can take your typing experience to the next level and truly make the keyboard your own.

Cherry MX Hot-Swappable Keyboard

The Micro Journal features a hot-swappable Cherry MX switches. Choose your own switches and keycaps to create a writing experience that truly reflects your personal taste.

Pack Your Creativity with Style

The Micro Journal is a stylish and cute device to carry around, helping you stand out from the crowd, just like your story. Its minimalist environment sparks creativity by providing a focused space for writers to explore ideas and craft narratives seamlessly.

Made for Writers

Micro Journal is designed to optimize your writing process and maximize creativity. It’s perfect for writers, fitting well into most workflows, especially in the early stages of writing such as drafting books, blog articles, video scripts, and emails.

Usage Video

Please, watch the use case video in order to understand the features and most importantly, limitation of the device. This version of micro journal is focused on drafting. Also, the e-ink display presents delays and can be limiting for certain groups of people. Please, check the video to get the idea of the features.

Micro Journal Rev.2: Features and Use Cases

Documenations

User Manual by Hook

User Manual by Hook

This is a site dedicated to providing help links, reviews, documentation and even downloads to support writers using the various Writer Decks I own and have actual hands on experience with. I started out with an Alphasmart Neo 2 in 2007, when I bought it new shortly after it's release by Renaissance Learning. It revolutionized my writing experience, giving me a great deal of focus. It allowed me to draft 5 novels and a large collection of short stories. It was, and still is, a remarkable Writer Deck more than 10 years since it was discontinued.

Press

In case of repair request

In case if your unit needs a repair, I can have a look and fix it and ship it back. In worst case, I can build a new one and ship it back to you. Provided that you send me the unit and cover the shipping cost and the material cost (if necessary). Send me a message when you are in need of a repair.

No country selected, please select your country to see shipping options.

Change Destination Country:

Un Kyu Lee Shipping Policy:

Assembly starts when order arrives. It takes 3 - 7 days to build and shall be shipped when assembly is completed. You should receive a notification when the build is shipped.

This is DIY project and I supply assembly services. Please note that payment is for my time spent on the assembly and refund is no longer available as soon as the build is shipped.

Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (5.00)

Documentation: (5.00)

Shipping: (5.00)

Communication: (5.00)

Han-Shen | March 24, 2025

Distraction free or cyberdeck?

I have a keen interest in mechanical keyboards, cyberdecks, and distraction-free writing devices. For quite some time, I've been a regular visitor to Hackaday, where I enjoy reading about the innovative projects people create. I often find myself wanting these devices, but my lack of time, resources (such as not owning a 3D printer), and skills (I can barely solder) have held me back. However, I consider myself a senior software architect and programmer with nearly 30 years of experience. I'm a geek but not much of a hardware one - I'm afraid.

So, I was thrilled to discover Un's inventions. Sometimes, you can just tell by looking at a product how much care and thought the maker has put into it. After more than a month of trying to purchase one, I was finally able to log in at the right moment and order a Rev. 2, which I'm delighted with! It’s important to note that this is not a MacBook; it's 3D printed and has the unique imperfections associated with such a process. Nonetheless, it's built around the very accessible Raspberry Pi 2W, making customization easy. If desired, you can even use it as a small computer.

Over the years, I've owned several single-board computers, and my experience shows that they don’t always work well with 18650 batteries that sometimes power them. I’ve encountered situations where if the CPU overheats, the board reboots. Attaching an external battery can significantly stabilize the machine in those cases. However, when used for its intended purpose with the network off, the device performs well.

For my use case, I’ve made some small customizations to shift the device toward a Neovim-based Zettelkasten. For syncing, I use rclone along with Google Drive. I plan to integrate some open-source Neovim plugins that work with AI so the device can also function as an AI-assisted note taker and grammar checker.

As a final note, the keyboard layout may take some getting used to if you are coming from staggered layouts. My everyday keyboard is a HHKB, so an ortholinear layout feels quite foreign to me. However, it's more accessible than some of the more complicated ergonomic keyboards available. On a positive note, this keyboard encourages intentional writing. I ordered it with silent switches and a fully assembled computer, and I find the device a pleasure to type on—a compliment coming from someone who usually considers the HHKB their endgame keyboard.

Looking ahead, I envision a future device that combines elements of the Rev. 2 and Rev. 7 with a true cyberdeck that I wish Un would consider: perhaps the screen from the Rev. 2 on the body of the Rev. 7, two 18650 batteries, and an LCD screen. Maybe even a more powerful board like a Raspberry Pi 4! That said, I don’t think it would replace the Rev. 2 in my lineup, as this device has a wonderfully compact footprint that makes you want to carry it around and experiment with it!

Braeden | March 8, 2025

A Neat, Wonderful Writer Deck.

Received my Micro Journal a few days ago and just started using it and I must say I am really loving it. First off the process of getting it was really quick, especially taking into account that the Micro Journal is handmade. In total it took exactly two weeks from me placing the order and receiving the finished product. The creator was prompt and answered any questions I had. This was my first time using Tindie and I happy to report I had no issue at all.
Overall the build quality is excellent. It is 3D printed in most cases but it is solidly made. The color I choose (Mother of Twins) is very soothing and the display has a very retro-futurist vibe. The keyboard is nice, and hearing the clicks is very satisfying. Un Kyu Lee provided me with a bag of other keys which was a nice touch and much appreciated. The screen, while on the small size, is great for writing text on and I found myself adjusting to it after using WordGrinder on my computer, plus it works in a lot of different light settings at home. Overall this is a superbly made device and something I look forward to writing on more thoroughly.
The Micro Journal uses WordGrinder, which allowed me to test what it would be like using the Micro Journal. I found the software to simple to master and how it allows for multiple documents to be in the same file to both help organize notes and write the main text of whatever you are writing about. Plus the provided SD card gives you a lot of room to make many documents.
The only issues are very minor and Un Kyu Lee has taken measures to elevate these problems. The first is that navigating the Dashboard can be a bit intimidating when you first start it, especially if you have no experience text based navigation. However if you are only looking to write on it and not alter its code just follow the quick start guide you should have no issues. Also one needs to be sure that they already have the right USB cable as one was not provided, but again most likely you already have it. Last is if you want a prolonged writing session a battery pack is needed, I however found that the internal battery is good for when writing at home.
Overall in the brief time I have had my Micro Journal I am really loving it. It is an extremely well built device, and I can see myself writing a lot on this device. I thank Un Kyu Lee for making this device and to those looking to get their own writer deck this one is an excellent on to get.

Wilson | Feb. 6, 2025

The Micro Journal Rev.2 is simply wonderful

This thing is a work of art for nerds, and a pragmatic solution to the writers block. I catch myself coveting this like a little gremlin. I will be watching for new products, I suggest you do the same and pull the trigger when you get a shot.

Steven | Jan. 2, 2025

absolutely brilliant device!

Un Kyu Lee absolutely kills it once again. I own the Micro Journal Rev 6 as well, and this device is equally brilliant.

The Micro Journal Rev 2 Revamped occupies a slightly different niche in that it allows for the editing of existing documents. It uses a Raspberry Pi 0 2w under the hood so you have a full-fledged Linux operating system that means you can basically do whatever you want with this device.

It comes pre-installed with WordGrinder, but you're not beholden to that word processor. If you don't want to use it, if you want to get really creative, you can even use something like Geany for editing.

Anyway, just buy it! You won't be disappointed.

Jasmee | Nov. 22, 2024

Makes Writing Simple & Fun

Very thankful to Un Kyu Lee's work and to be able to own one of their creations. Not only does the writting experience feel good, solid, and tactile-- it's also fun to look at. The colorways are all so much fun with lots of personality, so it was hard to choose just one. I am ultimately really happen with my descion of the grey/orange combo. Set up was not difficult when following the provided guide. Shipping was not an issue to where I live in America, and compared to other overseas parcels I've received, this was a pretty fast delivery. Looking forward to using this more :) thank you!

$289.00