Your favorite devices for writing

Everyone has a favorite keyboard or mouse, or some other writing technology that helps the creative juices to flow. We asked our community to share their gift recommendations. Check out these great ways to give the gift of writing this season.

Chris Hermansen recommends a great keyboard:

I love my Tokyo60 from Drop. I like the Kailh Navy keys, strong springs and good tactility. I particularly like the HHKB layout but for those who don't, they have many others to offer. For sure this keyboard will last longer than the computer.

Jim Hall also has a favorite keyboard:

I used the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite for years until mine finally died. I don't think Microsoft makes these anymore; my Elite came with a mini-DIN plug and USB adapter. Instead, I replaced it with the Perixx Periboard-512, which felt exactly the same to me.

But a year ago, a friend recommended the Logitech Ergo K860 wireless keyboard. My wrists are saved! It has basically the same layout my fingers are used to, but it takes less pressure to type. And the battery lasts forever.

Ashley O'Brien shares these gift ideas for the computer:

I was helping my mom move the other day and came across her laptop stand. It was sleek and minimal and I felt a little embarrassed about my cigar boxes at home to elevate my laptop and my stack of printer paper at work to ensure my laptop is at the right height for my webcam for virtual meetings

Again my little bro with the great gift ideas: I was complaining that working from our cabin home was difficult with only one monitor so my brother got me a portable monitor I could attach to my laptop when I want to work during my family vacations (lol).

Jeremy Rosselot-Merritt recommends several great devices:

As a technical writer, having a dual-boot laptop that can run Windows 10 or 11 plus a good Linux distro (like Ubuntu or Mint) is always welcome. Windows is great for running Microsoft Word, Adobe Creative Cloud, and other applications; Linux is great for open source tools and command line functionality. For some reason, over the years, I've found that Dell Latitude laptops generally do a great job as dual boot systems. (I'm not necessarily saying they're "better" than other laptops, just that they've always handled dual boot setups really well in my experience.)

As I've moved forward in my career, I've also found it helpful to have a solid mobile device for writing (typing) text. Specifically, I like having one that is easy to type or "swype" text on, as well as one that provides a good speech-to-text interface. Personally, some of the devices I like for that purpose include any of the Google Pixel phones, such as the Google Pixel 8 Pro, as well as the Moto G Stylus 5G, either the 2022 or 2023 version; both are great devices at a nice price point, and having the stylus is a really cool addition.

Seth Kenlon likes the reMarkable tablet:

The reMarkable2 tablet is an e-ink tablet you can use to review PDF and EPUB documents. With the reMarkable pen, you can jot hand-written notes, either on the PDF or in a dedicated notebook. I love e-ink because it's low-powered (I charge my tablet maybe once a month) and it's visible in direct sunlight (I sit out on my porch to read my reMarkable without issue).

I've always meant to be one of those people who maintains a notebook full of ideas and notes but I just could never get into the habit, but the reMarkable has changed that. I don't use the reMarkable for the final draft of anything but I do use it extensively for very early drafts and outlines. Then I prop it up next to my computer and use my notes as a guide for the first draft. It fills a very specific niche, but it has managed to change the way I work and I've clocked more time outdoors than I ever thought possible this Spring.

Joe Moses recommends the Surface tablet:

I've had very good experience with the Microsoft Surface Pro tablet with keyboard using Google Apps and Creative Cloud. It does get hot sometimes but its light weight makes up for that.

Isabel Schryver likes this monitor buddy:

I found this super cute website that sells these little monitor buddies that you attach to your monitor. I honestly might buy one for myself, I think having a little friend to  accompany me in late-night (and totally not last minute) essay writing sessions would be useful.