The CrowView Note: Transforming Devices into Laptops
Introduction
There's a rechargeable portable monitor named CrowView Note that takes a leap forward in tech advancement by permitting your Raspberry Pi 5, Android smartphone, or mini PC to function as a laptop. Notably, the CrowView Note, a Kickstarter project, appears similar to a conventional laptop with its 14.1-inch screen, full-size keyboard, touchpad, USB, and HDMI ports and a hidden built-in battery. But it's not an ordinary laptop; instead, it acts as a portable monitor masquerading as a laptop.
Concept and Design
CrowView Note operates on the principle of 'bring-your-own-brains'. When you connect a PC, laptop, smartphone, or a single-board computer (SBC) using USB Type-C with DisplayPort or a HDMI cable, it transforms into a laptop. CrowView Note is a unique, affordable portable monitor with a novel form factor. The concept is not entirely new and resonates with Nexdock’s idea, only that CrowView Note innovates a budget-friendly version of it.
CrowView Note Specifications
The CrowView Note is equipped with a bright, matte 14.1-inch IPS display with 1920×1080 resolution. It features an 84-key keyboard (US layout) suitable for typing, and functionality buttons present at the top of the keyboard that affect the monitor, not the host OS. The device comes with 2W speakers that offer reasonable audio quality and a 5000 mAh battery power. Moreover, the CrowView Note weighs around 1.2 kg and early bird pricing starts from $119. The inbuilt 2W speakers are surprisingly adequate and ideal for YouTube and music.
Conclusion
By providing a laptop experience with mere connectivity with multiple devices, the CrowView Note is a paradigm shift in device utility. Its economical pricing and unique features make it an interesting gadget for the tech-savvy community.
