Is there a computer that *just* does word processing?

Fair enough but its up to you whether you are distracted or not by a machine’s capabilities.

Isn’t that like saying my TV has hundred of channels but I only want to watch BBC1? My washing machine had 30 different programmes but I wash everything on a general 40 degree cycle with a 1200rpm spin. We filter out the functionality we don’t want.

Most computer users only take advantage of a mere fraction of what a machine can do. Most users of word processing software use about 5% of the functionality on offer. Similarly, spreadsheet software which is suitable for the person just keeping simple household or business accounts and the advanced mathematician.

You have control over what software you install. You can remove anything that comes pre-installed that you don’t want or simply remove it from the toolbar so it’s still there in applications but you can’t see the icon which would open in.

I read reviews of the Freelance machine and they aren’t good. Slow boot up time, slow response time between keyboard and screen and no encryption of data which would be necessary for security as the machine is a closed system which doesn’t use Word. It has to convert text via the cloud. You would run into problems with your publisher over compatibility if they use standard software.

Yes I want a machine that just does one job.
I'm a serious writer and don't want distractions.. my HP machine is end-of-life.
Also I should have said I am using a 24" monitor, small screens strain eyes... money not really a factor. Nor portability.

62Granny - crossed posts! I agree with you too!

I agree with Graphite. Why on earth would you want an expensive machine that basically does one job? If you prefer a typewriter-style keyboard rather than an on-screen one, buy a PC with a separate keyboard and mouse. If you want to write on-the-go, use a laptop AND a PC which can read each other's files. Buying both is still going to cost less than an £800 single-function machine.
Also, if you're writing any kind of book nowadays, you really do need Internet access, allowing you to do your bits of research and fact-checking as you go along (even fiction-writers need to do that!).
I speak as someone who wrote an 85,000-word PhD thesis 30 years ago, just as Internet access was becoming more widely available. Believe me, it was like a magic door opening! A mere word-processor won't help you to produce good solid work in the way a PC will.
Good luck with your future projects.

Surely a computer is just a box with a memory so if you don't want anything else on there except word processing you don't have to use the other icons or don't install them in the first place. But I fail to understand if you type up your book how you can then get printed/ emailed without at least having it connected to the internet.

Seriously, why would you want any of those? They are expensive, nearly £800 for the Freewrite Traveler, and have tiny screens.

Yu can buy a MacBook Neo, Apple's entry-level, 13-inch laptop for less than than that.

If money is a factor, look for reconditioned computers with the kind of screen size, keyboard and other features that you want.

Hope that's helpful. Chat GPT tells you so much and even finds you the best deals. I bought a second hand TV Box on its recommendation.

It has even found the best deal for you.
🥇 My top choice: AlphaSmart Neo 2

AlphaSmart Neo2 Portable Word Processor
★ 4.9 · 43 reviews
£52.20 · PCS4U + others
This is the one I'd buy if your priority is writing a novel without using a computer.

Usually around £50–£100 used
Full-size keyboard
Tiny, distraction-free screen
Stores your writing internally
Multiple separate documents/files
Runs for hundreds of hours on AA batteries
No internet, apps, notifications or distractions
Later, you can transfer the manuscript to a computer when you're ready to edit/publish.

The big downside is that it's an old discontinued machine, so you're buying second-hand. AlphaSmart stopped production in 2013, but there's still a strong second-hand market.

I always ask AI and it says:
If your main goal is writing an entire book without the distractions of a normal computer, I'd look at these:

Freewrite Traveler — probably the closest to a modern “digital typewriter.” It has a proper keyboard, an e-ink screen, and is designed almost entirely for writing. Your work can be transferred later to a computer for editing and publishing.

Freewrite Alpha — a simpler, lighter version with a regular LCD-style screen. Good if you want something more portable.

Neo2 / AlphaSmart Neo — older dedicated writing machines that are surprisingly good for writing books. They have a basic screen, excellent battery life, and almost no distractions. They can be found second-hand.

Brother electronic typewriters — if you want something that actually prints your words onto paper as you type. These feel much more like traditional typewriters.

A traditional mechanical typewriter — the most distraction-free option of all. You get the physical satisfaction of typing, but you'll need to deal with paper, corrections and eventually typing the manuscript into a computer.

What I'd choose (this is AI talking)
If you want “I want to sit down and write my novel, but I don't want a computer”, I'd choose a Freewrite.
If you want “I want absolutely no electronics or files—I want the words physically printed as I write”, get an electronic or mechanical typewriter.