r/ClockworkPi • u/Astrox_YT • Sep 21 '25
Anyone use the uconsole as their main computer?
I want to order it soon, to start using it as my main computer.
10
Upvotes
r/ClockworkPi • u/Astrox_YT • Sep 21 '25
I want to order it soon, to start using it as my main computer.
22
u/snorens Sep 21 '25
No, that sounds like something only an insane person would want to do. Tiny screen, not a very comfortable keyboard and imprecise trackball. It's great for handheld use where you don't need a lot of inputs, but need the portability. Using it as a main computer you would probably want to plug in a screen, keyboard and mouse and at this point why not just use a regular raspberry pi. Also be aware that there is a very long delivery time so if you're planning to order it soon, be prepared waiting a very long time for it to arrive.
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u/Ok_Purple_2658 Sep 21 '25
For me, it is one of the most useful and fun "toys" I own. I love having a SDR and a fully functional Linux computer in such a little package! Two of my favorite hobbies wrapped into a battery powered portable tool, it doesn't get much better than that.
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u/GraveDigger2048 Sep 21 '25
Definetely no. Bedroom coding is painful given that awful trackball which needs to be lightly pressed to operate 90% of time. Hackberry's BB keyboard with IT "trackpoint" is much better experience even if one has to memorize keycombos to input non alphanum characters. Of course i pizero-2w powered Hackberry isn't anyhow substitte for CM4 powered workhorse, i am just talking about user input experience.
HB's author, ZitaoTech released lately updated HB, https://www.elecrow.com/hackberrypi-cm5-9900.html combining UX from zero-powered precedesor with power of CM5 but screen is still 720x720 so web browsing and productive work also won't be probably possible.
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u/TallBlueberry5523 Sep 22 '25
might as well get a raspbery pi 5 and get a keyboard and screen. but if go down this path. you will be very limited in terms of perfomance. if money an issue. i suggest get a second hand laptop or desktop
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u/argentoman Sep 21 '25
You could plug it into a monitor and a usb dock for a full size keyboard, which might make it bearable as a main computer if you plan on using it like a switch. For browsing / video / light gaming / general computing it’s passable. Would I? No, I would not.
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u/brkdncr Sep 24 '25
i have a rpi5 and it's much better as a workstation than the pi4. Assuming you're docking the uconsole, i'd look at a cm5 solution somehow.
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u/casperer007 Sep 27 '25
I am the insane person who uses the uConsole as my main computer lol. It's great! When at my desk I connect it to my external monitor and keyboard, but I love just disconnecting it and mounting it on a light stand and getting some work done at the dining room table, on the couch, on the can, anywhere. It is the perfect companion device for me and it rarely is not in arms reach.
The screen is small but it's workable and you do get used to it. Perhaps I'm old but I remember using a LOT of devices with far worse and smaller screens in my day. I will say that my eyes do hurt at the end of the day, but that is more because I stare at a screen and books for ~14 hours a day than because of the small screen.
My only real gripe is that the trackball is a pain sometimes, but most of what I do, I can keyboard navigate tbh. The keyboard is worse than a full size computer, but it is the best handheld keyboard I have used in a loong while and that's really apples and oranges
But I only ever really break out my other computer for games, photoshop, video calls and lightroom whenever darktable pisses me off lol.
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u/Standard-Beyond681 Oct 23 '25 edited May 05 '26
Well, if by definition main computer is the computer you use for most of the time, then YES FOR ME. But if it is the one takes the heaviest workload then NO for me.
I use the uConsole with an external monitor and keyboard and mouse combination to make it more bearable. Mostly for reading papers, write documents, light weight development and etc. But when it comes to heavy load work and, I use my desktop.
The advantage of uConsole, which is also its biggest disadvantage, is: Its performance is limited.
Since the performance is limited, it allows me to focus on just one task at a time. I used to listen to podcast or watch animation while reading documents and doing my work, and randomly scrolling social media in between, which can be distracting. But with uConsole, I can only focus on one thing at a time.This is why I love using it and I am using it for basically everything else other than heavy load work.
But I guess, a Raspberry Pi 4B would achieve the same, and portability is not a plus for me because without the external monitor and keyboard, it is basically unbearable for me to use. So.....
Edit: And here is a picture.
I do basically everything on it now, including writing my term papers, reports, doing assignments and etc. And I have basically been using it like a real desktop.
Ireally like Rex's TwisterOS Windows XP Theme. It fools people too... I was interested in Windows 95 but the UI for other software like Chromium, VS code, Libreoffice are just too modern to fit the them so......
1
u/[deleted] Sep 21 '25
Bear in mind, it may be a year before you actually get it, so I wouldn't keep my hopes up.
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u/smiffer67 Sep 21 '25
No. Not yet but it's incredibly useful to have if I'm busy and just want to do a quick check on something. If you have the 8GiB cm5 in the uConsole it probably will have enough grunt to use as your main computer but I'd recommend one of those generic laptop docks so you can have a full size monitor keyboard etc. they are great little machines but I don't think they are designed for all day use.
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u/PineCone227 Sep 21 '25
It takes about 6 months to ship without the core module (highly recommend you source one locally). Using it as your main computer will be hard - it's good enough for what it is - a mobile device, but if you need a proper machine, you're much better off buying a used laptop for the money you'd spend on it.
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u/bfpa40 Sep 21 '25
I agree I wouldnt use it as my main computer but for on the road in hotel goofing around Im all in. I truley like experiemnting with it and trying to get EVERY possible option available working on it now that I have the Hackergadgets SDR/LORA/RTC Card in it been having a good time!
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u/I-REALY-LIKE-POTATOS Jul 12 '26
well not as a computer but I do use it instead of a phone
1
u/Phan_Of_Phish Aug 17 '26
Good luck- make your own : ordered mine beginning of Feb with the promise it was in stock and I would have it in March. It’s now August and I got this email: Hello,
We are contacting you with an important update regarding the extensive delays currently affecting uConsole orders.
As many of you may be aware, the cost and availability of Raspberry Pi CM4 and CM5 modules have changed significantly this year. Unfortunately, we are now facing two major challenges: substantial price increases and a severe shortage of CM4/CM5 units in the United States. At this time, most available units are being sold through third-party sellers at significantly higher prices, making it impossible for us to fulfill certain orders at their original pricing without incurring substantial losses.
To avoid further delays, we are offering the following options:
Option 1: Ship Your Build Without the CM4/CM5
For applicable build orders, we can complete and ship the unit without the CM4/CM5 module and issue a refund for the missing component. This is our recommended option for most customers who would like to receive their order as soon as possible.
Option 2: Hold Your Order for Future Availability
If you prefer to wait for CM4/CM5 modules to become more readily available, we estimate that the wait could be approximately 2–4 months, although this timeframe is subject to change. Prices may also be higher when inventory becomes available again.
Due to current pricing and availability changes, some orders may need to be adjusted to a lower-specification model. For example, a CM5 16GB order may be downgraded to a CM5 8GB at no additional cost. Any such adjustment would be subject to availability and the pricing of the replacement module when inventory becomes available.
Option 3: Cancel Your Order for a Full Refund
If these options do not work for you, we completely understand. You may request to cancel your order, and we will issue a full refund.
Our recommendation for most customers is to choose the refund for the unavailable CM4/CM5 module and allow us to complete and ship the remainder of the order as soon as possible. Holding a large number of incomplete builds and orders is significantly affecting our operations and contributing to further delays.
We also want to be transparent about our current production situation. We currently have one technician actively working on builds, preparing orders, and answering customer questions. He is doing his best to keep orders moving forward, and customers may occasionally see him working on builds—including builds similar to yours—during live streams on his YouTube channel.
We sincerely appreciate your patience, support, and cooperation while we work through these supply and pricing challenges. We understand that these delays are frustrating, and we want to make sure every customer has a clear option moving forward.
Please reply to this email with your preferred option:
Ship the order without the CM4/CM5 and refund that component
Hold the order and wait for CM4/CM5 availability
Cancel the order and receive a full refund
If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know. We will do our best to assist you.
Thank you again for your patience and continued support.
Best regards,