pomera DM250US GBAtemp review
Hardware
Product Information:
- Official Store: https://pomera.us/
Review Approach:
For nearly a century, Japan-based KING JIM has been producing stationery and office tools. During that time, they have released a range of products, and among them, the most unique might be their pomera line of devices. These are so-called “digital typewriters” and are exactly what they sound like: devices meant for typing and obtaining the written text in digital format.
Recently, with the rise of “digital detox” trends, there has been an increasing interest in such devices. Successful products like the Freewrite Traveler and the reMarkable are indicative of this. KING JIM is tapping into this trend and has recently launched the pomera DM250US in the US. The device actually debuted in Japan in 2022 as the DM250, and the DM250US is the first localisation of the product. We’ll take a closer look in this review.
pomera DM250US contents and specs
The pomera DM250US initially launched earlier this year via a crowdfunding campaign for $424. With the recent launch of the official pomera US website, the device is now available for direct purchase at $499. The package includes the following items:
- pomera DM250US
- Charging cable
- Instruction manuals
Specs of the device are as follows:
Hardware impressions
KING JIM didn’t attempt a flashy design or look with the pomera DM250US. Instead, the company adopted a sleek and classy design ethos. This digital typewriter has an apt laptop-like look with a matte finish that feels nice to the touch. The underside of the device features two rubber feet to provide added grip when in use.
This digital typewriter is noticeably light. At 1.37lbs/620g and with its slim design, it can easily be packed in your bag and be brought with you virtually anywhere. This really supports its use case as a versatile travel companion and speaks to the thought behind the product design.
The clamshell mechanism offers decent resistance, ensuring that the angle between the upper and lower components remains fixed, without feeling difficult to open or adjust. The range of viewing angles that the hinge offers does not feel limiting, enabling the use of the pomera DM250US in various scenarios.
The LCD screen indeed provides high visibility, with adjustable backlight. There's little to no difference in visibility based on the viewing angle, and the black-and-white inversion display caters for the "dark mode" fans among you.
An added benefit of the clamshell design is that it protects the screen. KING JIM does not currently sell screen protectors or any accessories for the DM250US, for that matter, so having some protection for the screen built into the design of the device offers some peace of mind.
That said, I do hope that the company offers accessories such as a hard case or pouch to make carrying the device easier, especially while travelling.
A seamless, distraction-free writing experience
Having a device only to write on might sound like a strange prospect, but if you do need to write for work or academic assignments, you might, more often than not, realise the importance of a distraction-free environment. Unfortunately, most devices that we currently use to write on, from laptops to tablets, are prone to distraction. There are incessant notifications, and the temptation to switch between apps looms.
Sure, you can have an app to block such distractions, but if you do not even want to have the slightest option of being distracted, a dedicated writing device might sound appealing. This is the niche need that digital typewriters tap into, and the pomera DM250US more than satisfies writers’ needs.
Using the pomera DM250US couldn’t be easier. It has a virtually instant start-up thanks to its lightweight Linux distro OS. By simply opening the device, you will be greeted by the pomera logo and can start typing away. It’s among the fastest boot experiences I’ve had and really makes for a friction-free experience.
This is supported by the familiar layout of the pomera DM250US’s physical keyboard. It features well-spaced keys that you can easily access and operate with your muscle memory. My only gripe is that the arrow keys are in-line. This is not very intuitive and needs some getting used to. As you can use the pomera DM250US itself as an external keyboard, it would be welcome to have the option to pair a keyboard to it, should you prefer a full-sized one or a different layout.
As expected, the arrow keys let you navigate across the text and make edits as needed. They also let you easily access the device’s menu where you can configure shortcut keys, select files, adjust the backlight and even toggle a “dark mode”.
Once you get over the inconvenience of the arrow keys’ positioning, typing is effortless and uninterrupted on the pomera DM250US. It packs virtually every feature you’d need in a typing device. From spell check to word count, you can work away on your documents as you would on a digital document editor with familiar controls such as standard Windows copy/paste shortcuts.
The ability to compare documents in split screen comes in handy, as is the calendar feature that you can use to note your agenda, although there are no reminders or alarms. The battery life can last up to 20 hours, which adds to the peace of mind of using this device.
The main concern with such a device would be getting the documents over to a computer or phone to send electronically or print. The pomera DM250US offers several ways to do this. You can connect it to a computer via USB-C, save to a microSDHC card (the device supports up to 32GB), or scan a QR code from the device itself. This enables the device to still operate with your other tech devices when needed, without the risk of getting distracted.
My only major complaint is the lack of a backlight for the keyboard. In low-light conditions, visibility over the keys is diminished and would benefit from a backlight. This might be something that KING JIM takes into consideration for the next pomera, and I have a feeling that they plan to localise more of these devices with the launch of the US website. I do also hope that the pomera DM250US becomes available outside of the US as it is an attractive device for writers.
pomera DM250US: a typewriter for the modern writer
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time with the pomera DM250US. The distraction-free writing experience that it offers in a sleek and highly portable package is appealing. Using it has made me think deeper about my relationship with tech devices and what I need or prioritise in them. It has even become my go-to way to draft articles and reviews, as I find that it gives me better focus without compromising on the typing experience or features required from a document editor. I tend to pair it with an offline music player and the combination creates the ideal writing environment.
At the end of the day, the pomera DM250US is a niche product, and its retail price will be a barrier to entry for most. Its pricing does position it within the same range as its competitors, although it might be on the lower end of the spectrum. However, if you are a writer, then this device won’t disappoint as it has been designed for the modern writer. If you want to get to write more often, the pomera DM250US might even help rekindle your love for writing, should it have waned, and you can get cracking on your magnum opus.
Verdict
- A new localised pomera device!
- Familiar layout and operation
- Feature-rich document editing capabilities
- Range of options to transfer files
- Sleek, compact and lightweight
- No keyboard backlight
- Unintuitive in-line arrow keys positioning
- Available in the US only
