可以肯定地说CrowPi2不同于您以前使用过的任何笔记本电脑。它自称是在Raspberry Pi 4上运行的仅有的笔记本电脑之一，但它远不止于此。我们将审查您使用 Elecrow 的CrowPi2 笔记本电脑(CrowPi2 laptop from Elecrow)所获得的内容，以便您决定是否值得购买。
首先，我们不得不说这件事很疯狂。这是不同组件的科学怪人混搭，但不知何故，它们都一起工作。(Frankenstein)CrowPi2笔记本电脑旨在成为您(CrowPi2)生活中孩子们的(kids in your life)STEM学习平台。
笔记本电脑运行Linux，该系统可用于学习 Python(learn Python)、Scratch、AI 和Minecraft，按照套件中的分步说明进行操作。此外，键盘下方是一个带有一堆传感器的一体化板，可以帮助孩子（或者，让我们承认，成年人）在编程时学习硬件电子。
盒子里有什么？
我们试用了带有大量组件的CrowPi2 Deluxe Kit 。这是您获得的内容的简短列表：
- CrowPi2笔记本电脑，配备 1920 x 1080 屏幕、无线键盘、2 MP 网络摄像头、麦克风、立体声输出、耳机插孔、HDMI、USB端口
- Raspberry Pi 4B 8GB RAM（您可以订购具有 4GB RAM的版本）
- 电源供应
- 2个游戏控制器
- HDMI 连接器
- 微型 HDMI 连接器
- 带有 Elecrow 专有学习系统的 Pi 的 SD 卡
- 用于游戏的带有RetroPie的 PI 的 SD 卡
- 螺丝刀
- 2.4G无线鼠标
- 红外线遥控器
- 红外接收器
- 带标签的 RFID 白卡
- 带电缆的湿度传感器
- (All-in-one)具有大量用于学习硬件和软件的各种传感器的多合一板
- Python编程指导书
- Scratch编程指导书
- 矿山工艺
- 用户手册
开箱的感觉很震撼。带有组件的小塑料袋数量之多是一个明确的迹象，表明Elecrow CrowPi2笔记本电脑将提供数小时的教育和娱乐。
笔记本电脑外壳感觉便宜，但肯定不比您自己 3D 打印的 Raspberry Pi 外壳(Raspberry Pi case that you 3D print yourself)差。当我们第一次打开CrowPi2时，触控板已与为其供电的功能区断开连接。这需要一些耐心和一把镊子，但我们再次将它连接起来，从那以后它一直运行良好。
用于通用计算的 CrowPi2
如果您以前使用过运行Linux的(Linux)Raspberry Pi ，那么您会熟悉CrowPi2的这一方面。您可以轻松地将CrowPi2笔记本电脑用作运行办公应用程序的通用笔记本电脑。事实上，它附带安装在提供的“系统”Micro SD 卡上的LibreOffice ，因此您可以开始运行。(LibreOffice)
从CrowPi2主启动屏幕中，选择Project，这将带您进入 Raspbian 桌面。
用于游戏的 CrowPi2
我们不得不承认，在初始设置并让 wifi 正常工作之后，我们对CrowPi2笔记本电脑所做的第一件事就是安装套件中的RetroPie SD卡。花了一点时间，但很快我们就开始玩Super Castlevania IV了。
RetroPie可让您将Raspberry Pi变成一台成熟的复古游戏机。它是模块化的，允许您为许多不同的控制台和旧计算机系统安装各种模拟器。
如果您以前从未使用过 RetroPie，那么配置RetroPie会有点棘手，但幸运的是，有很多分步视频可以帮助您。您还可以直接从界面免费安装许多游戏。
您可以在RetroPie中对游戏进行分类以便于浏览。默认情况下，游戏按制作它们的机器类型分开，但您可以通过创建集合来随意组织它们。您甚至可以为您的收藏添加主题，并且有大量预制收藏供您选择。如果您没有找到任何您喜欢的主题，您可以创建自己的主题。
用于编码的 CrowPi2
要真正开始使用CrowPi2(CrowPi2)笔记本电脑附带的传感器和电子小玩意，学习一些Python是必不可少的。对于STEM世界的新手来说，这可能会让人望而生畏，但幸运的是，CrowPi2提供了大量的课程和资源。
对于一个完整的Python新手来说，这些课程简单而有用。我们的Python专家还查看了学习资料，并对所涵盖的语言内容印象深刻。可以这么说，您无需(not )成为编程专家即可遵循和理解CrowPi2附带的课程和教程。
在经历了几节课之后，我们正在学习如何做更复杂的事情，比如识别素数。
如果您或您家里的某个人有兴趣从头开始学习Python ，那么(Python)CrowPi2笔记本电脑就是一位出色的老师。
CrowPi2 用于创建
我们已经提到了隐藏在CrowPi2键盘下方的一体化板。CrowPi2带有Arduino IDE ，这是一个开源电子原型平台，使用户能够创建交互式电子对象。模块列表很长：
- 操纵杆
- 段 LED
- 中继
- 冷风扇
- 在传感器和Raspberry Pi(Raspberry Pi)之间切换的开关
- GPIO 引脚插座
- GPIO 指示灯 LED
- 温湿度传感器
- 面包板
- 霍尔传感器
- 运动传感器
- PIR 灵敏度调节器
- 声音传感器
- 红外接收器
- I/O/ACD/UART扩展端口
- IIC 端口
- 9G伺服
- 步进电机
- 液晶显示器
- 4×4按键矩阵
- 蜂鸣器
- 振动马达
- 触摸传感器
- 8×8 RGB矩阵
- 射频识别传感器
- 湿度传感器
- 光传感器
- 超声波传感器
- 屏幕驱动
- 液晶亮度调节器
- 声音传感器调节器
董事会的设置给我们留下了深刻的印象。自己连接所有这些电子设备将花费大量时间来学习如何编码以及与所包含的各种电子模块进行交互。一旦您对使用预先构建的传感器和设备感到满意，您就可以继续进行更高级的项目，这些项目需要您添加套件随附的外部组件之一。
首先，安装“系统”Micro SD，启动笔记本电脑，然后从启动屏幕中选择学习。从那里，选择Python或Scratch使用板载传感器对您自己的项目进行编程。这些带有分步说明的项目将帮助孩子（或像您这样的大孩子）协作学习并使用逻辑和推理。
虽然课程很棒，而且您和您的孩子肯定会学到CrowPi2所说的您会学到的东西，但我们确实注意到英语(English)翻译有点……不妥。例如，Scratch课程的介绍说：“让我们开始我们的第一节课，了解什么是Scratch。” 不太出色的翻译对大多数人来说可能没什么大不了的，但它们可能会给一些用户带来额外的挑战。如果您遇到困难，可以在线获取许多视频来帮助您。
您应该购买 CrowPi2 吗？
CrowPi2是一个令人(CrowPi2)印象深刻、功能丰富的学习系统，非常适合想要了解更多有关STEM主题（如编码和电子学）的儿童和成人。根据您选择的套件，CrowPi2的(CrowPi2)$369.99 for the basic kit不含 Raspberry Pi 板$475.99 for the advanced kit配备Raspberry Pi 4B和 4GB内存(RAM)）或$535.99 for the deluxe kit 配备Raspberry Pi 4B ）带有 8 GB 的RAM。
根据您使用Raspberry(Raspberry Pis) Pi 的舒适程度，购买基本套件并单独添加 Pi 是最经济实惠的选择。但是，如果您有闲钱，豪华套件可让您轻松启动并立即运行所有设备。无论哪种方式，CrowPi2笔记本电脑都一定会激发您的创造力，并为您生活中任何有兴趣追求 STEM 导向职业的年轻人提供巨大的优势。当我们还是孩子的时候，这个设备在哪里？
Hands-On Review of CrowPi2 Raspberry Pi STEM Laptop
It’s probably ѕafe to say the CrowPi2 is unlike any laptop you’ve used before. It bills itself as one of the оnly laptops running on Raspberry Pi 4, but it’s so much more than that. We’ll reνiew what you get with a CrowPi2 laptop from Elecrow so you can decide if it’s worth buying.
First, we have to say this thing is wild. It’s a Frankenstein mishmash of different components, but somehow they all work together. The CrowPi2 laptop is intended to be a STEM learning platform for the kids in your life.
The laptop runs Linux, and the system can be used to learn Python, Scratch, AI, and Minecraft by following the step-by-step instructions that come in the kit. Moreover, beneath the keyboard is an all-in-one board with a bunch of sensors to help kids (or, let’s admit it, adults) learn hardware electronics while programming.
What Comes in the Box?
We tried out the CrowPi2 Deluxe Kit which comes with a vast array of components. Here’s an abbreviated list of what you get:
- CrowPi2 laptop with 1920 x 1080 screen, wireless keyboard, 2 MP webcam, microphone, stereo output, headphone jack, HDMI, USB port
- Raspberry Pi 4B 8GB RAM (you can order a version with 4GB RAM)
- Power supply
- 2 game controllers
- HDMI connector
- Micro HDMI connector
- SD card for the Pi with Elecrow’s proprietary learning system
- SD card for the PI with RetroPie for gaming
- Screwdriver
- 2.4 G wireless mouse
- Infrared remote control
- IR receiver
- RFID white card with tag
- Moisture sensor with cable
- All-in-one board with an impressive number of various sensors for learning hardware and software
- Python programming instruction book
- Scratch programming instruction book
- Mine craft
- User manual
Opening the box was overwhelming. The sheer number of tiny plastic bags with components was a sure sign that the Elecrow CrowPi2 laptop was going to provide hours of education and entertainment.
The laptop case feels cheap but certainly no worse than a Raspberry Pi case that you 3D print yourself. When we first opened the CrowPi2, the trackpad had disconnected from the ribbon powering it. It took some patience and a pair of tweezers, but we got it connected again, and it’s been working fine ever since.
CrowPi2 for General Computing
If you’ve used a Raspberry Pi running Linux before, this aspect of the CrowPi2 will be familiar to you. You could easily use the CrowPi2 laptop as a general-use laptop for running office applications. In fact, it comes with LibreOffice installed on the provided “System” Micro SD card, so you can hit the ground running.
From the main CrowPi2 startup screen, select Project, and that will take you to the Raspbian desktop.
CrowPi2 for Gaming
We have to admit, after the initial setup and getting wifi working, the first thing we did with the CrowPi2 laptop was to install the RetroPie SD card that came in the kit. It took a little finagling, but soon we were playing Super Castlevania IV.
RetroPie allows you to turn your Raspberry Pi into a full-blown retro gaming machine. It is modular and allows you to install various emulators for many different consoles and legacy computer systems.
Configuring RetroPie is a bit tricky if you’ve never used it before, but fortunately, there are a lot of step-by-step videos out there to help you out. You can also install many games directly from the interface, free of charge.
You can categorize your games in RetroPie for easy browsing. By default, games are separated by the type of machine they were made for, but you are free to organize them however you wish by creating collections. You can even add themes to your collections, and there are tons of pre-made collections for you to choose from. If you don’t find any themes you like, you can create your own.
CrowPi2 for Coding
To really start working with the sensors and electronic gizmos that come with the CrowPi2 laptop, learning some Python is essential. It can be daunting for a newcomer to the STEM world, but fortunately, the CrowPi2 comes with a ton of lessons and resources.
To a complete Python novice, the lessons were straightforward and useful. Our Python expert also took a look at the learning materials and was impressed by how much of the language is covered. Suffice it to say, you do not need to be a programming expert to follow and understand the lessons and tutorials that come with the CrowPi2.
After going through a few lessons, we were learning how to do more complicated things, like identifying prime numbers.
If you or someone in your household is interested in learning Python from scratch, the CrowPi2 laptop is a great teacher.
CrowPi2 for Creating
We’ve already mentioned the all-in-one board hidden beneath the CrowPi2’s keyboard. The CrowPi2 comes with the Arduino IDE, an open-source electronic prototyping platform that enables users to create interactive electronic objects. The module list is lengthy:
- Joystick
- Segment LED
- Relay
- Cooling fan
- A switch to toggle between the sensors and the Raspberry Pi
- GPIO pin socket
- GPIO indicator LED
- Temperature and humidity sensor
- Breadboard
- Hall sensor
- Motion sensor
- PIR sensitivity adjuster
- Sound sensor
- IR receiver
- I/O/ACD/UART extension port
- IIC port
- 9G servo
- Stepper motor
- LCD display
- 4×4 button matrix
- Buzzer
- Vibration motor
- Touch sensor
- 8×8 RGB matrix
- RFID sensor
- Moisture sensor
- Light sensor
- Ultrasonic sensor
- Screen driver
- LCD brightness adjuster
- Sound sensor adjuster
We were impressed by how well the board was set up. Wiring all these electronics up yourself would take a lot of time away from learning how to code and interact with the various electronics modules that are included. Once you’re comfortable using the pre-built sensors and devices, you can move on to more advanced projects that require you add one of those external components that come with the kit.
To get started, install the “System” Micro SD, boot the laptop, and select Learning from the startup screen. From there, choose Python or Scratch to program your own projects using the on-board sensors. These projects with step-by-step instructions will help kids (or big kids like you) learn collaboratively and use logic and reason.
While the lessons are great, and you and your kids will definitely learn what the CrowPi2 says you’ll learn, we did notice that the English language translations were a little…off. For example, the intro to the Scratch lessons says, “Let’s begin our first lesson to know about what is Scratch.” The less-than-stellar translations might not be a big deal for most, but they could present an extra challenge for some users. If you get stuck, many videos are available online to help you.
Should You Buy the CrowPi2?
The CrowPi2 is a seriously impressive, feature-packed learning system that is great for kids and adults who want to learn more about STEM topics like coding and electronics. Depending on which kit you choose, the CrowPi2 will set you back either $369.99 for the basic kit without the Raspberry Pi board or $475.99 for the advanced kit with a Raspberry Pi 4B with 4GB of RAM or $535.99 for the deluxe kit with a Raspberry Pi 4B with 8 GB of RAM.
Depending on how comfortable you already are with Raspberry Pis, purchasing the basic kit and adding the Pi separately is the most budget-friendly option. However, if you have the cash to spare, the deluxe kit makes it easy to get everything up and running right away. Either way, the CrowPi2 laptop is sure to get your creative juices flowing and give a huge advantage to any young ones in your life who are interested in pursuing a STEM-oriented vocation. Where was this device when we were kids?
