Back in stock every Monday, 6PM time in Italy

Colors

Watch youtube videos to get the feeling of the color choices. You can ask for custom colors as well. Send the message to the shop.

Avant-Garde, All Beige

Koorse Black Gray

Red Yellow Beige

Pink White

[Yellow Black] No Videos yet. This one's really cool too.

Cotton Candy Ice Cream - Lilla Pink Blue

Sunburst Sky - Blue and Orange

PeriWinkle - Black Purple Blue

Quick Start Guide

• Link to Quick Start Guide

Firmware Releases

Check out latest release

What is it?

Craft your own personalized writerDeck by pairing it with your favorite mechanical keyboard. This unique device seamlessly connects to a vast array of mechanical keyboards via a USB port, transforming them into functional writerDecks. With the ability to power on and start typing immediately, along with the added convenience of syncing with Google Drive, this writerDeck ensures that your drafts are always securely recorded.

Powered by the ESP32-S3 microcontroller, this device offers instant writing capabilities. It provides a user-friendly tool for all your writing needs, reminiscent of popular commercial alternatives.

Upon powering up, this device springs to life within moments, inviting you to unleash your creativity. With seamless integration with Google Drive, your work is effortlessly stored in your preferred cloud system, offering peace of mind and accessibility from anywhere. Whether capturing fleeting ideas or jotting down important tasks, this writerDeck is always ready to assist. Keep it on your bedside table to capture your dreams, and simply flip the power switch whenever inspiration strikes.

Features

• Connect to USB keyboards and start writing Journals

• Sync with Google Drive of your own. No cloud service fees.

• Immediate power on, and have distraction-free writing epxerience.

• Multi language keyboard layout is supported

  • US Layout
  • US International
  • Canadian Multilanguage Layout
  • Italian Layout
  • German Layout
  • Belgian Layout
  • UK Layout
  • Please, request in the order when you need a layout that is not specified in the list

• Digital Photo Album

• Make your own family photo slides, displaed when idle

What do you get?

Assembled writerDeck that includes

• Assembled device without Battery.

• ESP32-S3, Display, Power supply modules, and usb interfaces assembled.

• 3D printed enclosure, and assembled with the parts above.

• Guide to setup the SD card and setup Google Apps Script to enable cloud sync features.

!! Please, note that Battery, SD card and Keyboard are NOT included.

Device requires one 18650 battery to operate. Please, make sure to source the battery in order to operate the device.

Keyboard should be without a hub, without a battery system. Connecting directly to the keyboard that requries charging will break the Micro Journal

Why did you make it?

I've been scouring the internet for WriterDeck builds that incorporate microcontrollers like the ESP32 or similar options. Ideally, I'm seeking a device that powers on instantly, creating a conducive writing environment, and has the added convenience of syncing with Google Drive.

I couldn't find such a solution online, likely because it caters to a niche demand in the market. WriterDeck itself represents a niche interest, and the idea of a DIY solution using a microcontroller seemed like an exceptionally rare occurrence rather than a widely recognized concept.

I aimed to acquire a dedicated device that allows me to type immediately, facilitating the collection of meeting notes or capturing fleeting ideas before they fade. While I've explored various iterations of a WriterDeck, none of them offer the crucial feature of instant powering on.

So, I decided to build one by myself.

What makes it special?

It's perfect for capturing sudden bursts of inspiration or quickly jotting down important tasks or ideas. It's a device that can be kept on your bedside table, ready to record your dreams at a moment's notice. All you need to do is find the power switch before immortalizing your weirdest dream ever in writing.

Youtube Video

Micro Journal Rev.5 Introduction

DIY Build Guide

DIY Build Guide

Press

Hackster.io: Micro Journal Offers a Customizable writerDeck Experience

Guest Starring at Canadian National Radio

User Reviews

I've been searching for something like this for years. Alphasmarts were close, but the keyboard was where they fell down, I always wanted to use my mechanical keyboards. I had ideas of a Raspberry Pi box and a small monitor, but they always felt too much like the dekstops/laptops I wanted to get away from.

My first WriterDeck - the Micro Journal Rev 5.

+1 for the Micro Journalk

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). Typically shipping costs for me to ship it back takes around 40 USD. Send me a message when you are in need of a repair.