Hello all, I am considering a uConsole CM4. It is no doubt a super cool device. I am trying to “justify” the cost. To do so, I would be very interested to find out how do you use your? For retro gaming? Something else? Please do share (or, if there is already a similar thread - please point me in the right direction). Thank you!
More portable than a laptop, yet (almost) as feature full as one! It’s up to you how much portability matters to you, for me it was totally worth it.
You might want to check out this thread, but for me it’s been as a handy portable device where I don’t want to take a laptop with me, or when using some piece of hardware remotely like a IR camera (which I’ve linked to)
Thank you both - very useful.
To others - please keep them coming!
Spyder Python IDE is amazing on the screen/ proportions - running CM4 module - just still figuring out keyboard shortcuts etc
1 Like
Hi, I´ve been using it to record audio with Audacity and an external mic and works perfect.
I´m using it with SDR (Gpredict and SDR++) to track and record satellites pases and work perfect too.
3 Likes
To be honest it’s really just a tech toy if you wanted to really do anything serious a laptop would be better.
1 Like
Opinions clearly differ widely on this.
In my opinion, the advantages of the solid construction and small size alone make it suitable for a range of use cases for which a notebook would be unsuitable or at least significantly disadvantaged.
In my case, I received the uConsole yesterday.
My idea is to use it as a learning device, somewhat recreating what I experienced in the 1980s with computers like the TI-99/4A, Commodore, Atari, and even the early IBM PC and XT.
So I’ve already started creating a “shell” that boots directly into text mode, allowing me to browse files, run Python scripts, edit them, etc.
And at the same time… avoid using the terrible trackball, which seems to have a life of its own.
Here are a couple of screenshots of what I’ve been working on so far. It’s a sort of “Norton Commander,” but tailored to my needs (meaning I’ll implement whatever I need, when I need it).
As you can see in the images, the script automatically adapts to the terminal’s size (rows and columns).
There’s still a lot left to do, of course — but I’m on my way! 
PS: I’m developing the program on a desktop PC running Linux so I can work faster. That’s why the screenshots show an operating system that isn’t the one on the uConsole.
4 Likes
Underestimated use case: Looks cool. Especially with the AOI antennas added.
Great conversation piece
1 Like
Hacking the Planet.
He’s elite
2 Likes
I mostly bought it as a “toy” indeed (as in i love tinkering with new stuff and learning), because a small cheap laptop would probably do the same.
The hackability and portability are just awesome though.
But the major factor for me is to have a very portable backup ready in case my primary laptop dies. For some things i have to do for my job, a phone simply wont work. Or not nearly as well.
But already used it to measure land size with GPS, play retro games over HDMI with friends, and as a dashboard for some stuff also on a big screen. And made friends on Meshtastic
And yes, all of that can be done with said laptop, but this is just a bit smaller even.
2 Likes
I was going to ask you Ariel (if I can, of course), which delivery company went for your device? I am assuming might be the same for me and how was the installation of the OS for you? or which OS are you using?
I’m using it to learn how to work different Operating Systems like Dragon and Kali. I’ve also gained so much knowledge on WiFi penetration testing in the last couple of months.
I’ve only known how to use Windows and Mac throughout my life.
Once the Uconsole was in my hands, I realised how simple and easy it is to have multiple operating systems on different SD cards and hot swap them within minutes… seconds.
I suppose what I said above is already possible without the UConsole but the fact that it can act like a standalone machine on any OS from Rex is madness.
I love it.
I’m from Argentina, and my English isn’t very good. I’m not sure I fully understood your question, but:
- I wasn’t able to choose the shipping method. It arrived in Argentina via FedEx.
- I’m using Bookworm-6.12.45. But… since I’m only going to use terminal mode (at least for now), I suppose any OS is more or less the same for me.
I hope this helps.
1 Like
Oh do not worry I can jump to Spanish then. Preguntaba un poco acerca de como de tu experiencia al cargar el OS? Como fue y fue difícil?
Sorry if I bother too much Ariel , espero estes disfrutando tu uconsole!
Vamos en español!
No, es muy facil instalar un SO en una tarjeta SD. La comunidad ha preparado varias imagenes ( incluso de Ubuntu). Algunos usuarios, como @Rex son realmente muy capaces, y les encanta el café 
Vas a necesitar el programa “imager”, de Raspberry PI (yo lo uso en Linux), y basicamente le indicas que placa tenes (CM4, CM5, etc), que archivo de imagen vas a usar (la descargas previamente) y en que SD la queres guardar…y listo!
Podés tener varias tarjetas con distintas configuraciones. Una maravilla!
Saludos.
No, installing an OS on an SD card is very easy. The community has prepared several images (even Ubuntu). Some users, like @Rex, are really skilled — and they love their coffee
You’re going to need the Raspberry Pi Imager program (I use it on Linux), and basically you just tell it which board you have (CM4, CM5, etc.), which image file you want to use (you download it beforehand), and which SD card you want to write it to… and that’s it!
You can have several cards with different configurations. It’s wonderful!
Regards.
1 Like
Cool! I am even assuming might go to a NVEM drive later as @white-round-square says this could help to the programs run faster and I might need more space.
Has probado instalar libraries o apps de repositorios? 
si, sin ningun problema. Uso apt, la distro que estoy usando creo que es básicamente Debian, asi que no hay problema alguno.
He instalado pocas cosas por ahora (hace 48 hs que tengo el dispositivo, y he estado mas tiempo programando un “entorno” para poder usar comodamente python desde la consola) pero no me he topado con nada raro.
1 Like
coooool!
Gracias por la info Ariel 
, que tengas muy buena noche!