Royal Consumer Classic Retro Manual Typewriter (Purple)

This typewriter was just what I needed. It types very well and came with extra ribbons. I purchased it in red and so beautiful to look at as well. It is well built, and also has the automatic spacing bar that my old typewriter didn't have. I like the way it was packaged to prevent any damage upon delivery too. If anyone is having problems with the ribbon when typing, just make sure the color switch on the right side is on the correct setting. It's worth the money spent. I have to give it 5 plus stars and would give more if it had a higher rating scale.

TL;DR: The product came in a state where it was literally falling apart. This was a gift, and it looked really bad.The good: nice clean retro look, very pretty machine.The meh: typing is okay, letters are not well aligned. Not a precision machine at all, but works. Not super intuitive to use either but I guess that comes with the retro design and the user manual decently explains everything.The bad and ugly: <crack knuckles> I suspect this machine was assembled by a gang of raccoons. It wasn’t even functioning and literally falling apart. Started typing and a couple metal balls and 4 screws fell on the desk (#1). And when I say typing, that’s an over statement: 3 keys where not functioning at all (#2) and no lowercase would print on the paper (#3)Problems:#1 It turns out some screws they used to attach the bottom plate are too short, and the thread was barely holding. Gonna have to replace them with the same screws, slightly longer from the local hardware store.#2 The parts holding the balls where put in place without being adjusted. Therefore leaving enough of a gap to let the balls fall off. These balls support the entire central section with the hammers, and this was the cause of the lower case keys not hitting (they ended up too far from the paper). Putting this back together was a pain, but I did it and typing lowercase letters now seems reliable.#3 The metal rods supposed to attach the non working keys to their hammers where respectively dangling, in the box, and missing. I could put back the 2 ones that I had and had to make one from a paperclip (since the support folks wouldn’t send the part) to replace the one missing.Finally customer support is utterly useless. They won’t even send the simplest spare part to fix the device. Their only answer is to send it back for a replacement… with the same shady assembly and another week later? No thank you, I’m not taking that chance, particularly considering that plenty of other reviewers had serious quality issues.If you’re very handy, you can fix all of this, and that makes a relatively decent typewriter for occasional fun use. Otherwise, stay clear from this device and company.Suggestion: sell it as a 3D puzzle, it’ll be more entertaining.

I bought this as a fun way to take my writing 'offline'. Reminds me of my typing class days in high school. Perfect for someone who is learning how to type. As with all manual typewriters, you have to press the keys with more confidence than a computer keyboard to make sure the hammer strikes the page hard enough to leave the ink impression. It took me a little time to adjust to the return arm; it hangs low and if you don't keep it raised up on return of a line it will hit the top of the case. Just something you'll quickly adjust to.

The royal typewriter is made in the USA or at least their warehouse is here in the United States. Aesthetically it is really pretty. It looks amazing on my book shelf in my office. You do have to really push those keys to get an impression. After years of touch screens and laptops it took a little adjustment.I bought the Royal to type index cards on for my filing system and research notation. The Laser printer cannot suffice for art creations. I don’t know that I would write a book on this typewriter. I think it would frustrate a real writer. But for making quick note, it’s really fun. It’s a great gift for someone trying to learn how to type, especially a young person or a person who knows how to type and they don’t want to do a lot they just wanna make a few notes. I’ve heard and read and watch many videos about the subject matter. The royal really is the best new one that you can buy of its class it’s available in a lot of colors. I just chose mint because it’s my favorite color . My brother chose black because it looks great with his industrial place. I just woke up morning and had the extreme need to have a mechanical typewriter and there it is… I’m happy with it. I think it’s important to bear in mind what it is and what is available right now for manufacturing these machines. And I’m looking forward to using it in my future art studio good luck, and I hope this answer some of your questions. I am on the lookout for vintage typewriter, That’s mechanical. But if you don’t wanna have to scour, thrift shops, consignment shops and antique Mart, the new Royal will get you there. I like this machine. Remember to buy extra type writer ribbons! Good luck happy typing.😇

We bought this for our daughter for Christmas! This was the only gift she asked for. Easy to use & easy to teach her to use! She is 7 and loves it!

It will make you yearn for your old Smith Corona typewriter (why did I get rid of it). The keyboard layout is from the 50's, if you use a computer you will hit the wrong key, LOL . Examples: ' is over the 8, ! is next to the right shift, + is over the 1, etc. Makes it a little awkward. The typewriter itself wasn't set up right and I had to tweak it (I repaired teletypes in the Army so I knew a little). I hate the cover over the ribbons, it's hard to get off, not a good design at all.The typing itself is good. I think my disappointment is really in comparing it to the smith corona I had in the 70's which was a real solid machine.

This typewriter arrived with the 1 key already broken. The only manual that it came with was in portugese or spanish. It didn't come with any ink left in the ribbon. It didn’t come with any paper. Shortly after I started using it, the a and q key fell off with ease. To try and fix it, we flipped it over and found that all of the supports and keys were extremely flimsy. The bell stopped working too. If I could give this zero stars I would. DO NOT RECOMMEND!!