The Olivetti Lettera 32... but I wouldn´t call it ultraportable. That includes the Valentine as well, which is basically a flashier and weaker Lettera 32. In fact, that woud be closer to the Dora, but again they´re above what I´d call an ultraportable.

Thing is that the Pluma (or Lettera) 22 doesn´t have it, and I think that would be your cup of tea. The Lettera 32 is around half a kilo heavier and a bit larger, but still is far more portable than a SM3

I haven´t seen a Princess 300 up close and personal either, so I can´t tell for sure that it´s smaller than the Olivettis, but it looks like it is.

UWE.
Great thanks that's just what I was hoping for.
Yes that's why I've been leaning towards the princess because it seems like an ultraportable and I knew it had that tab function

That link to ultraportables though… Those don't all have the tab feature I'm looking for, do they?
I'll will browse consul models and see what I find

Are the Olympia and optima models that you mention also of the ultraportable variety? I feel like that's a very subjective statement but I think we all generally agree on what is ultraportable and what is not


JAVI
yeah I knew the letteras had the feature but I've never really been a fan of the olivettis. Until today that is...new post to follow in acquisitions

Ok, so what Olympias do you have in mind?
When I think ultraportable and Olympia I think SF and splendid models...but I don't believe those don't have the tab function I'm looking, do they?

Also, I remembered I actually have a Royal very similar to the Royal Parade, the Quiet DeLuxe from Holland.  Pretty quiet overall but unusual key action and it arrived broken from transit so I really haven't had a chance to use it.  But even that is a little bigger that I'm looking for. 

 I really like the size of the princess 300 and the fact that it has all those features... May have to figure out a way to make it a "Prince 300" though, if I plan on using it lol

Also, Browsing typewriter database, I think I found the consuls you were referring to: I believe the 233 and the 235 both have the dials for setting tabs that you referred to in your post.  And that is actually exactly what I meant in terms of size and functionality. Although I know that those are less commonly available, I still like to know what my options are, to say nothing of the degree to which Javi has extolled these machines in numerous posts and messages, as well as in his descriptions on TWDB! Lol
 

Uwe wrote:

. I may have misunderstood Javi, but the Lettera 22 does have a keyboard set tabulator as well (ditto for the Lettera 33 or DL), and I would certainly classify it as an ultra-portable.

My mistake, but there´s a catch! I think we´ve found an interesting detail here...
In fact, the Lettera 22 has a keyboard set tabulator, but none of the 4 I have has it. And that´s the issue: my typewriters are Pluma 22´s, I have earlier and later units and none of them has keyboard set tabulator. Looks like the Olivetti Lettera 22 has it but the Hispano Olivetti Pluma 22 doesn´t, and I´ve assumed the only difference between those is in the name.

About what´s ultra portable and what isn´t, I´ve never known where to draw the line. My idea was that an ultra portable is something which is smaller than it should be. I mean, going back to the Lettera 32 everything fits inside without weird placement and it doesn´t surprise you with "spatial brevity". But for example the Kolibri is flatter and much lighter, just like the Gossen Tippa, the Splendid 33 or the Rooy Portable (which goes beyond the limits of reasonability). But if the Lettera 32 fits into the category of ultra portables, then I strongly recommend it.

Now I have another doubt... What is a Smith Corona Standard, then?



It´s portable sized but it´s called "Standard". Why?!