The Zerowriter Ink Ships at Last
The Zerowriter Ink is an open source, ePaper digital typewriter for distraction-free writing — and it's finally shipping!
Typewriters have long since disappeared from the modern office, yet they have not vanished from the minds of writers. Computers and word processing applications are far more convenient and versatile; however, these tools are also filled with distractions. When the story is flowing onto the page, the last thing one wants is a notification popup for a work email or a social media post. These distractions are creativity killers.
Messing around with ink ribbons and Wite-Out isn’t a lot of fun either, so many have sought out some sort of middle ground — a digital device built for writing that is free of distractions. The Zerowriter Ink is a distraction-free open source ePaper typewriter that is meant to fill that need. It looks like it would be a perfect writing platform, and now it is finally available. This crowdfunded project launched back in the fall of 2024, but orders just started shipping days ago.
Zerowriter Ink comes equipped with a second-generation 5.2-inch Inkplate ePaper display with a sharp 1280×720 resolution. The high-contrast screen is easy on the eyes, readable in bright sunlight, and paired with a variable refresh rate that minimizes lag while typing. Input comes from a 60 percent low-profile mechanical keyboard featuring hot-swappable Kailh Choc Pro Red switches, giving the device a satisfying, quiet typing feel while allowing users to customize keys and layouts.
Measuring just 300×195×15 millimeters, Zerowriter Ink fits easily into a backpack or laptop sleeve. Power efficiency is another strong point, with a user-replaceable LiPo battery capable of lasting weeks — or roughly 100 hours of active use — on a single charge via USB-C.
The device boots instantly into a distraction-free writing environment with no accounts, subscriptions, or cloud services required. Files are stored locally as plain text documents on a microSD card and can be transferred via USB or even shared through QR codes. Writers can choose between drafting and word-processing modes, make simple edits using cursor navigation, and manage files directly on the device. Optional tools provide word counts, session timers, and goal tracking, while customization options allow users to adjust fonts, spacing, and refresh behavior.
Fully open source and built around an ESP32, Zerowriter Ink invites community experimentation while remaining a focused tool for getting words on the page. If you’d like to pick one up, Zerowriter Ink is selling for $279.
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