As a Professional Writer, I Tested the Pomera DM250US Digital Typewriter, and I Love Its Distraction-Free Writing Experience

For less than the price of a computer or tablet with a keyboard, there’s a new, dedicated writing tool, called the Pomera DM250US. It’s manufactured and sold by Japan-based King Jim (a company that was established in 1927).

As an author and journalist, I write between 3,000 and 6,000 words per day, six days per week. In other words, I spend a lot of time working with a word processor. Of course, I have an Apple iMac desktop computer in my office, a MacBook Pro and separate Windows laptop, and an Apple iPad Pro tablet with the Magic Keyboard. All allow me to write using Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

In situations when I need to work within a tight space or don’t want to carry around a lot of equipment to work remotely, I’ve typically relied on my iPad Pro with the Apple Magic Keyboard. It works, but it’s an expensive option. There are less expensive, thin, and lightweight Chromebook Plus laptops that can easily handle word processing and so much more, and I’ve tried those, too. And a few years ago, a company called Astrohaus released its Freewrite Traveler writing tool ($549), but it has a built in text editor, not a word processor. While it works nicely for some writers, it simply didn’t work with to my personal writing habits.

When I first learned about the Pomera DM250US, I was intrigued by its design. Then, when I read it offers a built-in word processor with spell checker, I knew I needed to give this device a try, so I purchased one online. It arrived in less than a week and was shipped from the company’s warehouse in California.

As promised by its ads, this device is portable, lightweight, has a long battery life, offers a proprietary word processor, and makes it easy to transfer documents to a computer or mobile device using any of several simple methods. 

To be clear, this is a dedicated word processor: It does nothing else. However, word processing is exactly what it’s designed to do — and based on my testing, it does this rather well, but in a no-frills sorta way.

What is the Pomera DM250US Digital Typewriter and What Does It Do?

They call devices like the Pomera DM250US digital typewriters, because they’re designed to handle a single task – provide a distraction-free writing experience. In this case, you get a proprietary word processor and spell check. It offers minimal text and document formatting capabilities, but the goal is to be able to compose text-based content and then easily transfer documents to a computer or mobile device for formatting, editing, printing, and sharing.

With no distractions, it’s easier for writers to focus on their words, generate ideas, and flesh out content using a device that’s incredibly easy to transport. It turns on almost instantly and allows a writer to just start typing. With this device, the beautify is in its simplicity, from both a design and functionality standpoint.

One thing I really like is you can position the device in a way that makes the typewriter comfortable to type on and the display easy to see while adjusting for any unwanted glare due to ambient lighting.

A user can tweak a handful of features to personalize their experience using the Pomera DM250US, but the device takes a minimalist approach to help a writer harness their thoughts and creativity in a way that’s rather intuitive. The integrated word processor is far less complicated than Microsoft Word or Google Docs, because it offers fewer features.

Who Can Benefit from Using the Pomera DM250US Digital Typewriter

The Pomera DM250US is for any type of writer. It doesn’t matter what you’re writing. It is capable of helping a user create works of fiction, non-fiction, journal entries, business reports, poetry, or any other text-intensive content. Unlike a traditional laptop computer or tablet, the Pomera DM250 is not loaded with apps, nor does it provide internet access for checking emails, accessing social media, or surfing the web.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a professional writer or journalist, or someone looking to write the novel they’ve always dreamed about. The device caters to anyone whose work or hobby involves using a word processor to compose text-based content.

As a result, the Pomera DM250US is not for everyone. Its lack of web surfing capabilities means you can’t use it for research or creating content that’s based on internet research. That is, unless you use it in conjunction with another device. If that’s your plan, however, I’d choose a low-cost laptop computer or tablet with an external keyboard instead.

This device also offers zero AI integration. So anything that needs to be written must come from your own mind. What you get is a digital typewriter, as opposed to a full-featured word processor that now has AI tools built into it.

Using the the Pomera DM250US Digital Typewriter for Word Processing

For someone who’s not at all tech-savvy, the Pomera DM250US is a pleasure to work with, because there’s practically no learning curve. If you understand how a basic word processor works and you know how to type, you already have the knowledge needed to use the device to its utmost potential. While the keyboard and display are smaller than what you get with a laptop computer, in this case, both are highly responsive. 

Once the power button is pressed and the unit is turned on, all of the features you need are accessible using a series of pull-down menus that appear anytime the Menu/Help key on the keyboard is pressed.

There are seven pull-down menus built into the proprietary word processing software. And while typing, there’s a status bar that displays the filename, word count (or character count), battery status, time, and more.

Here’s a quick rundown of the features offered from the seven pull-down menus:

• File: Similar to any word processor, this menu allows you to create and save a document. The New, Open, Save, Save As, Property, and Close commands are offered.
• Edit: You get access to an Undo, Redo, Cut, Copy, Paste, Delete, and Select All command. There are also pre-programmed keyboard shortcuts for these and other features.
• Find/Insert: This menu reveals a Find, Replace, Go To Line, Template, Marker, Character Palette, and Time Stamp feature.  
• Tools: These commands are used to manage documents and transfer them to another computer or mobile device. Options include QR Code, Calendar, App Connection, Upload, PC Link, and Bluetooth Keyboard. The Calendar function can be used like a diary. Start with a month view. Select a day, and then add a text entry to that day. Using the Bluetooth Keyboard feature the Pomera DM250US can be used as an external (wireless) keyboard for your smartphone or tablet.
• View: Just like when using any word processor, the commands offered from this menu allow the writer to determine what format is used to display a document on the screen. There’s Full Screen, Outline, Comparison, Partition, Ruled Line, Frame, Line Number, and Monochrome Inversion. Each further personalizes your writing experience.
• Type: Access commands including Input Assistance, Character Settings, Cursor Position, and Control Character. These too are features that help to customize the typing experience. Using the Character Settings options, you can choose a font, font size, and line spacing.
• Settings: It’s from this pull-down menu you can set the Date and Time, control Power Management tasks, use File Management tools, add a Password for accessing the device, adjust the Backlight, manage Key Settings, view a list of available keyboard shortcuts (using the Help option), choose where documents get stored (internally or on an SD memory card), and view details about the device itself.

Once you learn how to navigate around and use the options available from each pull-down menu, just start typing. In keeping with the focus on simplicity, the device has just one USB Type-C port and a single SD memory card slot located on the left side.

I found that everything about the keyboard is intuitive. There’s a power button, ten Function keys, four directional arrow keys (for navigating the cursor around the screen), and the Menu/Help button (for accessing the pull-down menus). The rest of the keys are labeled and perform the same tasks as any other QWERTY style keyboard with a U.S. English layout.

Sure, the smaller size of the keyboard and display takes a bit of getting used to, especially if you’re already accustomed to working with the full-size keyboard offered by a desktop or laptop computer. However, I found myself adapting to the device rather quickly and discovered the Pomera DM250US can be a useful tool for boosting writing productivity.

How the Pomera DM250US Compares to the Freewrite Traveler

The Pomera DM250US will appeal to dedicated writers, just like the Freewrite Traveler. Both devices have a bunch of similarities, as well as several key differentiators. I am a fan of the e-ink display offered by the Freewrite Traveler. Like many of the latest e-readers and digital notepads, like the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft and reMarkable Paper Pro, the backlit display can be seen in any lighting situation – from direct sunlight to total darkness.

While the size of the Traveler’s display is adequate, I would have preferred it to be significantly larger. Standout features include the device’s scissor switch keyboard that provides keys that offer a satisfying tactile response. You also get a long battery life, and extreme portability.

Unfortunately, the Freewrite Traveler lacks three functions I believe are essential for most writers. First, all you get is the most basic text editor, not a word processor. Thus, it’s more of a text drafting tool. Second, there’s no spell checker. And third, the keyboard does not have dedicated directional arrow keys. To move the cursor around the screen (one line at a time), you need to press multiple keys and it’s not intuitive.

The Freewrite Traveler is best for people who want to get their raw thoughts into a document without worrying about spelling, grammar, revisions, or formatting. They simply want to transfer words from their brain into a document as quickly as possible, and don’t mind spending extra time later editing and cleaning up that copy. 

The Pomera DM250US fixes several of the Freewrite Travelers weaknesses, but not all of them. The backlit display is larger (seven inches), but uses monochrome (non-color) LCD technology. Thus, it’s far less glare resistant than an e-ink display. As I’ve mentioned, the Pomera DM250US offers a full word processor with spell checker. You also get four dedicated directional arrow keys integrated into the keyboard — all of which I find extremely useful.

You Have Multiple Options for Transferring Documents to a Computer or Mobile Device

Both the Pomera DM250US and Freewrite Traveler offer multiple ways to transfer files between the device and a computer or mobile device. With the Freewrite Traveler all documents get stored locally and in the cloud automatically. The device supports Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Evernote, and the company’s own cloud service.

Meanwhile, the Pomerna DM250US connects directly to a computer via its USB cable. Files can also be stored and then transferred using an optional SD memory card, or the file you’re working with can display a unique QR code, which can be scanned by the camera built into a mobile device to initiate a wireless file transfer in conjunction with the Pomera Link mobile app (for iOS and Android). There’s no auto sync feature with the cloud, or a way to directly email a document to yourself or someone else from the Pomera DM250US.

Why I Picked the Pomera DM250US Over the Freewrite Traveler

For someone who wants to be able to create a text-based document containing relatively clean, error-free copy that’s been spell checked before the file gets transferred to a computer or mobile device’s word processor, the Pomera DM250US is a better option than the Freewrite Traveler. It’s also a slightly smaller and lighter device. 

The best reason for a writer who wants to focus on their work to choose either of these devices is because they offer a distraction-free writing experience. There are no alerts, alarms, or notifications to contend with. There’s no temptation to access the web, check your email, or access social media feeds. And you can’t switch between apps or jump between tasks. The purpose of these digital typewriters is to help you get the words from your brain into a text-based document as efficiently as possible.

My Final Thoughts: Is the Pomera DM250US Digital Typewriter Worth It?

If you are already accustomed to doing your word processing with a popular word processor like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, but need a portable device to run it on, and you also want that same device to handle a wide range of other tasks, I suggest going with a laptop computer or tablet with an external keyboard.

But, if you want a distraction-free writing experience and to be able to quickly open up the device and start typing, the Pomera DM250US is a viable option. Using it from a confined work space, such as aboard an airplane, train, or bus is very practical. Plus, it’s easy to carry around, offers near instant startup, and provides an impressive document organization system that makes it easy to pick up where you left off, or to find and open another document you were previously working with.

My biggest complaints about the Pomera DM250US are that the LCD display is monochromatic (not full-color), and like many displays on portable devices, it’s susceptible to glares from ambient light sources. Just as you can’t typically use your smartphone or tablet in direct sunlight because the light washes out the display, the same is true with the Pomera DM250US.

This device’s backlit display is, however, easy to read indoors — even in low-lit areas. And you can increase the font size to make text easier to see. Unfortunately, the device is not waterproof or even water-resistant. I also found the software updating process to be a bit convoluted. However, the King Jim company offers step-by-step directions that must be carefully followed.

On the plus side, the documents created using the Pomera DM250US can easily be transferred to a computer or mobile device, and then loaded into your favorite word processor for further editing, formatting, printing, or sharing.

Priced at $499, this device isn’t cheap (considering a low-end Windows laptop or Chromebook Plus costs about the same price and does a lot more), but for someone who’s serious about writing, the Pomera DM250US is a tool I’d recommend. It works well, and the King Jim company is dedicated to continuously making the device better through periodic software updates. Yes, I think the Pomera DM250US is a worthwhile investment for writing enthusiasts.