Alpha strips word processing down to a single purpose: an instant-on backlit LCD screen and a full-size mechanical keyboard, with nothing else running underneath. Low-profile Kailh Choc V2 switches give tactile, satisfying feedback without the bulk of a full mechanical board, and a five-level adjustable backlight covers writing day or night.

Under two pounds with a pop-out kickstand, it delivers up to 100 hours of battery life and syncs drafts to the cloud over Wi-Fi — the only concession to connectivity on a device built to have none of the usual ones.