BYOK is my new go-to distraction-free writing tool

June 25, 2026 Terrence O’Brien

A close up of the BYOK in a backyard showing the intro to this very review.
Proof that I wrote this review on the BYOK. | Photo: Terrence O’Brien / The Verge

I have long been on the hunt for the perfect distraction-free writing setup. The latest contender is BYOK, which stands for Bring Your Own Keyboard. It's a simple $199 black plastic rectangle with a low-resolution LCD screen that lets you edit text and does almost nothing else.

I've tried dedicated apps. I've even converted an old laptop into a writerdeck. But neither solution really clicked. Last year, I paired a Boox Palma with a NuPhy Air and there was a lot to like. The unique, quick-refreshing E Ink screen provided my favorite typing experience yet, and it synced seamlessly with my other devices thanks to Obsidian. But Boox's OS is a b …

Read the full story at The Verge.

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