CrowView Note Unveiled: More Than Just a Laptop, It Redefines Utility

Ever wished you could use your Raspberry Pi 5, Android smartphone, or mini PC as a laptop? The CrowView Note, which hit Kickstarter last week, allows you to do precisely that.

At first glance, the CrowView Note from Elecrow resembles a typical laptop. It features a 14.1-inch display, a full-sized keyboard, a touchpad, and USB and HDMI connections along its sides. It also includes a concealed built-in battery.

CrowView Note is an affordable portable monitor with a unique design – and as a Pi owner, I find it quite appealing.

However, it is not a traditional laptop.

There’s no computer inside; no CPU, RAM, storage, or anything else. It’s a portable monitor disguised as a laptop.

You supply the ‘brains’ by connecting a PC, laptop, smartphone, or single-board computer (SBC) using USB Type-C with DisplayPort or a HDMI cable.

The concept should remind those familiar with the Nexdock, which initiated crowdfunding campaigns in 2016 and 2019, gaining considerable attention and success.

Elecrow’s CrowView Note follows a similar principle but offers a more affordable option (entry-level Nexdock is $299, while CrowView Note starts at $169) and includes a specific design feature for wireless connection of Raspberry Pi 5 and Jetson Nano SBCs through adapter boards.

The CrowView Note particularly appeals to the Single Board Computer (SBC) enthusiasts. Manufactured by Elecrow, a company known for its array of Raspberry Pi supplements and innovations, they once even embedded a Raspberry Pi within a robust laptop chassis!

The design they have opted for in this instance, however, is one I favor more. The Raspberry Pi 5 connects via an adapter board which then integrates flawlessly into the device through a side slot, with aligned ports and drawing power directly from the CrowView Note’s internal battery.

This device is not limited to Raspberry Pi 5 users though.

It allows connectivity for any device featuring USB-C or HDMI outputs, including laptops, game consoles, handheld systems, tablets, Amazon Fire Stick dongles, digital cameras, set-top boxes, and Blu-Ray players, serving as an additional screen.

You can connect multiple input sources simultaneously and easily switch between them by pressing a designated switch key.

To utilize the keyboard and mouse functionalities, you can connect devices like a laptop, PC, or smartphone running Linux to the CrowView Note via a USB-C connection that supports video. Once connected, features such as the keyboard, touchpad, and pass-through USB ports will be immediately available and operational on the connected host OS/device.

If you opt to connect a computer via an HDMI cable, it is necessary to also use a USB-A to USB-A cable between the devices to enable functionalities like the keyboard and touchpad.

As I lack a designated area for my Raspberry Pi 5, particularly since it isn’t housed in any casing, the convenience of just sliding it into the slot provided by this device enhances my user experience significantly—I anticipate using my Pi considerably more because of it.

Before: I would gather my Pi, power adapter, HDMI cable, keyboard, mouse, my portable monitor along with its USB A to USB Type-C power cable, and a stand, hunt for an adequately large space near an electrical socket, connect all the items, then settle down to compute amidst a jumble of wires.

Now: I simply connect my Pi into the side of the CrowView Note 14, power up, and presto: a seamless, wire-free setup is ready to use.

Certainly, for those who have their Pi securely encased or integrated into a permanent setup, the prospect of casually using the Pi from a couch might not be enticing—which is understandable as this setup isn’t for everyone.

But the fact I can attach other devices to this to use it as, say, a second monitor to another laptop or a big-screen gaming experience (like with my Anbernic RG35xx H handheld) makes it especially handy — nothing I couldn’t do with a regular monitor, but less hassle.

CrowView Note: In Use

Not just computers; connect anything via the HDMI input.

Elecrow sent a bunch of press outlets early production units to test. I’ve been playing around mine over the weekend.

The CrowView Note comes equipped with a bright matte 14.1-inch IPS display (1920×1080) that is fixed on a 180-degree hinge, allowing it to fold flat.

It features an 84-key keyboard (US layout) that offers a comfortable typing experience and is preferable to the cheap Bluetooth keyboards commonly used with Raspberry Pis.

The top function keys (input switch, brightness, sound, OSD, next/prev, back) are designed to control the monitor itself rather than the host operating system. The standard F1-12 keys can still be accessed by toggling the FN button on and off.

While the touchpad (recognized as a mouse in Ubuntu yet supporting various gestures) is sizable and responsive, it feels rather plastic, much like the rest of the device.

The integrated 2W speakers perform surprisingly well. They aren’t hissy or excessively tinny, making them adequate for YouTube and casual music listening while working – just don’t expect Dolby-level sound quality.

The CrowView Note is equipped with a 5000 mAh built-in battery that not only powers the screen, speakers, and keyboard but also supports devices connected via USB Type-C (5V).

The battery, however, is arguably the most significant limitation of this device.

The CrowView Note 14 comes with a 5000 mAh battery which lasted approximately 3 hours while operating a Raspberry Pi 5 at minimal workload, such as writing this blog post and streaming music from a Spotify CLI application. Higher workloads can exhaust the battery more quickly.

Considering the modest size of the battery and its task to power the Raspberry Pi, alongside the built-in peripherals like screen, speakers, and keyboard, nearly reaching a 3-hour mark is indeed impressive.

Although a longer battery life would be advantageous, it poses a question whether users intend to use it continuously for extended sessions, such as watching a series of Ninja Turtles films from the 90s, with their Raspberry Pi connected.

I am quite fond of this device. Previously, I had desired the Nexdock and its subsequent models, which were intriguing yet deterred by their high cost, equivalent to that of a basic Windows laptop.

Starting at $169, the build quality isn’t premium. It features an all-plastic chassis that although nice to the touch, lacks durability. I’d hesitate to toss this into my backpack without extra protection.

In defense against potential criticisms: this device isn’t aimed at the general market. It doesn’t cater to TikTok-loving teenagers or technology-averse seniors. It’s designed for enthusiasts with specific uses in mind, and it’s not something you’d typically flaunt at a cafe while your Raspberry Pi dangles out.

Interested? You can purchase the CrowView Note on KickStarter while its campaign is active until the end of August. There are several discount tiers available. Remember, Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano adapter boards are additional purchases, costing $5 each.

If this product reaches its (modest) crowdfunding target in just 28 minutes and gains popularity, I’m eager to see a potential second-generation version featuring a bigger battery, a backlit keyboard, and maybe even a touchscreen.