Elecrow CrowPi L is an 11.6-inch laptop computer shell based mostly on Raspberry Pi 4 designed for STEM schooling with elective electronics modules and tutorials. That’s an evolution of the CrowPi 2 laptop computer I reviewed in 2020 with a thinner design and extra versatile for the reason that electronics modules are elective, so it may serve the market of individuals simply wanting a Raspberry Pi 4 laptop computer.
The corporate has despatched me a full “CrowPi L Superior Equipment” for assessment with the CrowPi L laptop computer fitted with a Raspberry Pi 4, in addition to the Crowtail Starter Equipment for Raspberry Pi.
CrowPi L Superior Equipment Unboxing
Let’s try the laptop computer bundle first.
Since on this design, the laptop computer comes with a battery, and mine already had a Raspberry Pi 4 put in, I might simply flip it on instantly. Equipment embody a wi-fi mouse, a 12V/2A energy provide (with USB Kind-C plug… this could unlawful IMHO because it might fry 5V solely {hardware}), a Grove defend with a ribbon cable to connect with the Raspberry Pi 40-pin GPIO header, and a easy consumer guide that’s largely helpful to put in your personal Raspberry Pi.
The QWERTY keyboard structure is accompanied by a touchpad with two mouse buttons and an outline of the GPIO pins that must be handy whereas taking part in with Grove modules. There’s additionally an influence button and LED.
One aspect comes with the Gigabit Ethernet port, the 2 USB 3.0 ports, and one USB 2.0 port from the Raspberry Pi 4 SBC, with the opposite USB port hidden as it’s used internally as we’ll see within the teardown half.
The opposite aspect options the GPIO connector, a 3.5mm AV jack, HDMI output, and a USB Kind-C port for energy.
That’s the laptop computer linked to the Grove defend with the offered ribbon cable, and we’ll examine that in additional element within the second half.
The wi-fi mouse doesn’t use Bluetooth, and as a substitute comes with its personal 2.4GHz RF dongle, and also you’ll want so as to add an AA battery for energy.
Time to take a look on the Crowtail Starter Equipment for Raspberry Pi which comes with loads of modules, some cables, and an outline of every module on the bundle.
The equipment contains LEDs, varied sensors, a servo, a micro-speed motor, a distant management, a battery case, an LCD show, and extra.
If we elevate the plastic tray, we’ll see the consumer information with the 20 classes a part of the equipment.
I’ve taken a photograph of two pages from the guide as proven above to provide a sneak peek of what’s inside, however I’ll attempt at the very least one lesson within the second a part of the assessment.
CrowPi L laptop computer teardown
Let’s now do a teardown, that can even function a “reverse” meeting information for individuals who will solely buy the laptop computer shell and set up their very own Raspberry Pi 4. Such customers won’t want any screwdrivers.
Step one is to take out the duvet on the prime proper cowl.
It’s going to present the GPIO growth board with its heatsink positioned on prime of Raspberry Pi 4, and inserted in each the 40-pin GPIO header from the SBC, and a further 40-pin header on the laptop computer’s motherboard. Let’s take that board out, and disconnect the Raspberry Pi 4 from the board with two HDMI ports and USB-C. You’ll additionally discover a 4-pin USB Kind-A connector on the best that was inserted into the highest USB 2.0 port from the Raspberry Pi 4 board.
One other attention-grabbing level is that there are three microSD sockets within the laptop computer. One known as “Prolong storage” on the motherboard, and there are two extra on the microSD card growth with an A/B change that enables individuals as well the laptop computer to a different working system, as an example, RetroPie.
The reverse set up information ends right here, and we’ll now go into the precise teardown. We’ll want a 6-lobed, star-shaped (Torx) screwdriver to take away the screws from the battery cowl.
That reveals a replaceable 5,000 mAh, 18.5 Wh battery, which I can’t discover on the market proper now, however hopefully might be sooner or later for individuals who might have to switch it. The following step is to take away the battery, loosen a couple of extra screws, and clip out the plastic cowl. That step left some marks/gentle harm on the duvet, however I might have a full have a look at the motherboard and two audio system.
The bigger chip on the motherboard is the Realtek RTD2556 show controller that converts HDMI alerts into “LCD” alerts for the 11.6-inch show., whereas the Sigma Micro SG8F7581 8-bit 8051 microcontroller clocked at 48 MHz handles the keyboard.
If we have a look at the opposite aspect there’s a GL850G USB 2.0 hub controller that ought to assist management the “Prolong Storage” microSD card by way of one other chip, and possibly different options such because the touchpad.
That might be all for at present. I’d wish to thank Elecrow for sending the CrowPi L laptop computer, Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB RAM), and Crowtail Starter equipment for assessment. The CrowPi L Superior Equipment reviewed right here sells for $375.65 plus transport, however when you solely want the laptop computer shell, out there in white or black, that will be $203.15 plus transport. The kits are additionally out there on Crowpi.cc with pricing there together with transport.
Jean-Luc began CNX Software program in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, earlier than quitting his job as a software program engineering supervisor, and beginning to write every day information, and opinions full time later in 2011.
