August 18th, 2024

Laptop-like CrowView Note ready to work with Pi, phones and mini-PCs

The CrowView Note is a portable device launched on Kickstarter, featuring a 14-inch 1080p display and keyboard, compatible with various single-board computers and smartphones, starting at $130.

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Laptop-like CrowView Note ready to work with Pi, phones and mini-PCs

The CrowView Note is a new device launched on Kickstarter that transforms single-board computers, smartphones, and mini-PCs into a portable laptop-like setup. It features a 14-inch 1080p IPS monitor attached to a low-profile keyboard and touchpad, allowing users to work on the go without the need for multiple peripherals. The device is powered by a 5,000-mAh battery and is compatible with various single-board computers, including the Raspberry Pi, Jetson Nano, and Banana Pi, as well as desktop-mode smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Users can connect their devices via USB-C or other interfaces, making it suitable for a range of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux. The CrowView Note is designed for productivity tasks such as coding, document creation, and gaming, and it is currently available for pledges starting at $130 on Kickstarter, with shipping expected to begin in November 2024.

- The CrowView Note offers a portable laptop-like experience for single-board computers and smartphones.

- It features a 14-inch 1080p IPS display, keyboard, and touchpad, powered by a built-in battery.

- Compatible with various devices, including Raspberry Pi, Jetson Nano, and desktop-mode smartphones.

- Pledges for the device start at $130 on Kickstarter, with shipping anticipated in November 2024.

- The device aims to enhance productivity for coding, document work, and gaming on the go.

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By @eigenspace - 9 months
I came very close to buying a similar device recently (Nexdock), but ultimately decided against it. I mostly work from home on my desktop computer, and only very occasionally need a portable computer. Since I own a SteamDeck with a plenty strong CPU, lots of storage and a fully functional Linux environment, it felt like such a silly waste to need to buy a whole laptop, when all I really wanted was the keyboard, trackpad, and screen.

Ultimately decided against it though, and got a Framework 13 laptop instead. Less fuss to use it rather than fiddling around with connectors and lugging two devices around in tandem. I also hope that Framework's modular approach means that this laptop won't have been a wasteful purchase and I can keep it as a 'laptop of Theseus' for the next decade or so.

By @sitkack - 9 months
I have seen devices just like this (keyboard, display, battery) on aliexpress.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807367187700.html

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803000890517.html

By @mysteria - 9 months
This thing might also be usable in the datacenter as a KVM console that can sit in a rack shelf or be carried around by technicians. It's certainly more compact than the typical monitor and keyboard on a rolling cart.
By @kristianp - 9 months
Don't people already have their laptop if they're planning on bringing a device with a screen+keyboard? I can see it as useful for a dedicated raspberry-pi screen and keyboard, but the adapter board looks easily broken if you move around with it.

I'm excited to see the row is keys on the right with Home, pgup, pgdn and End. Very useful for someone who spent their early computing years on non-gimped keyboards. I had a laptop with that layout in about 2009, was easy to adapt to.

By @wslh - 9 months
With all due respect to hardware startups and the complexity of running them: why don't they create another form-factor to put your mobile phone, Pi or other devices? The frustrated industrial designer in me says that those devices should take an space inside the CrowView, not at the sides.
By @kristianp - 9 months
By @trte9343r4 - 9 months
This seems to have full support for Raspberry Pi.

- Type-C port supports 5V/5A PD (Pi does not comply with PD specs)

- keyboard and trackpad over USB-A

- Micro HDMI input

By @deafpolygon - 9 months
So, a portable crash cart?
By @nhggfu - 9 months
battery runs for "2 hours" yea no thanks