TechRadar Verdict
The Elecrow Pi Terminal bundles many IoT parts into one platform.
For less than $200, the unit ships with a 12V adapter without any module.
The main selling point remains the bright 7 HD display with touchscreen.
The module packs so many connectors and onboard peripherals that there is no need to add anything else.
The module’s main selling point remains the bright 7 HD display with a five-point touchscreen.
Targeting the IoT industry, the screen is IP65-rated and comes with optional stereo speakers.
The display uses one of the CM4 HDMI outputs, leaving an extra HDMI connector for an external screen.
The Pi Terminal costs $179.90 without the processor module or accessories.
Other cheaper displays support only USB peripherals.
Elecrow Pi Terminal: Design
The Pi Terminal ships between two foams that protect the glass panel.
Accessories include four antennas, one 12V 24W power supply, and block connectors with screws.
The acrylic panel surrounding the display protects the screen’s top and bottom.
Four metal spacers hold the unit, providing a robust feeling to it.
A small fan at the back can be loud at times.
The unit measures 19.2 cm x 12.5 cm x 4.6 cm and weighs 665 grams.
Five screws secure the screen to the acrylic back panel.
Four antenna connectors, in the form of SMA connectors, are located at the top.
Unfortunately, Elecrow has not provided a schematic for the main PCB.
An on/off switch on the left allows powering down the unit while not in use.
A push button on the top helps to wake or sleep the OS.
The PCB design is straightforward under the hood, with the Pi CM4 module located off-center to the left.
Two mini PCIe sockets fully utilize the Pis high-speed interfaces.
A small 5V fan provides airflow to the CPU.
Finally, a 40-pin header makes the PIs GPIOs accessible to the end-user.
With only the Pi connected, the unit consumes about 10W.
The supplied power adapter should be sufficient for doing software development on an IoT product.
Deploying the unit in a production environment will require a more robust power adapter.
Elecrow has included an option for installing a PoE module next to the Ethernet connector.
We recommend replacing the small fan with something less noisy.
The stock 5V fan buzzes a lot, reaching 45 dBA at one meter.
A passive cooling solution is superior in all aspects for an industrial setting and should provide a longer lifetime.
Elecrow does not provide any source code for the UI demo on the microSD card.
The CM5 improves from the previous generation by having over twice the processing power.
Elecrow Pi Terminal: The competition
Elecrows Pi Terminal does not lack competitors.
It provides passive cooling but costs $200, slightly higher than the Pi Terminal.
It also lacks a standard PCIe interface like the mini PCIe connector available on the Pi Terminal.
Elecrow has extensive experience building embedded displays, which is evident in this product.
The CM4 module provides ample processing power, while the abundance of connectors will cover many IoT use cases.
The board layout is small, well-organized, and solid.
The only drawback is the tiny but noisy fan.
Buy the Pi Terminal ifyou need a robust screen and a CPU with excellent support and documentation.
Dont buy the Pi Terminal ifyou need an economical, simple-to-use display.
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