[1] At the time of their initial release in 1993, the first AlphaSmart models were marketed as smart keyboards designed to promote writing in the classroom as an alternative to expensive computer labs.

The units' durability, long battery life, and limited functionality made them ideal for K-12[further explanation needed] classrooms.

[4][5] The AlphaSmart was a keyboarding device that enabled a person to work on the go, much like a laptop computer, but it was strictly for word processing, as it functioned essentially like a simple digital typewriter.

Since the AlphaSmart, Dana, and NEO were specialized for limited purposes, they were generally much cheaper than a standard laptop computer.

All of these devices were meant to be plugged into an ADB, PS/2, or USB port for transferring the written text into a computer's word processing document for further editing (such as indentation and font preference) or printing if so desired.

The AlphaSmart saved every keystroke directly to the machine's RAM, which was maintained by a battery backup even when powered down.

[citation needed] The machines were also popular among journalists and writers, who found them easy to carry and appreciated the full-size keyboard and long battery life.

[6] AlphaSmarts continue to be popular with small groups of writers, despite attempts by other companies as early as 2014 to produce other low-distraction writing tools.

[7] Intelligent Peripheral Devices, Inc.[6] was founded in 1992 by two previous Apple Computer engineers, Ketan Kothari[8] and Joe Barrus,[9][10] with the mission to "develop and market affordable, portable personal learning solutions for the classroom" and to "deliver affordable, lightweight, rugged portable computing devices that are expandable, easy to use and manage, and provide exceptional battery life."

[11][12] Later, they changed the name of the company to AlphaSmart, Inc.[13][14] Barrus and Kothari also hold a US patent on a "portable keyboard computer", applied for in 1992 and granted in 1995.

[15] AlphaSmart, Inc. completed its initial public offering (IPO) on the NASDAQ on February 6, 2004 and started trading under the symbol ALSM.

The AlphaSmart took on the aesthetics of the computer it was intended to be partnered with – it had a boxy, durable beige plastic case like the IIGS and Macintoshes of that era.

It ran on 2 AA batteries and could be used for days at a time due to a power-saving technique, that effectively allowed it to "sleep" in between keystrokes.

A year later, the company added infrared capability to the 2000, enabling users to transfer text to a computer or another AlphaSmart without a cable.

The 3000 used the same chassis as the AlphaSmart 2000, but it was now encased in translucent bondi-blue plastic, matching Apple Computer's first generation iMac.

[18][failed verification] In June 2002,[20] AlphaSmart released the Dana, which is a radical departure from their standard product line.

Similar to Apple Computer's 1997 Newton eMate 300 (a laptop running Newton OS), the Dana, FCC ID KV2DANA001, is a fully fledged Palm OS Version 4 device complete with a touch-screen, allowing a user to write directly on the screen via Graffiti in addition to typing on its built-in, full-size keyboard.

The Dana's screen has a backlight and is capable of displaying complex graphics (though only in 4 bit grayscale), unlike the original AlphaSmart line.

This is a licensed version of Wordsmith for Palm OS by Blue Nomad,[21] customized for the Dana's wider screen.

Also, it is a simple matter to switch between the Alphawrite documents and any of the four built-in apps native to Palm OS (Memo Pad, Datebook, Todo, Address Book).

Neo 2 could also access Accelerated Reader quizzes and allow students to use network printers, when using the Renaissance Receiver accessory.