I've been craving for a USB LCD for a while.
They're pretty nice looking, interesting for others to see, and pretty useful for seeing how my laptop is doing in terms of memory and CPU. (My Chrome loves to eat my memory, which is why I'd like to keep an eye on it)
So after a bit of research on eBay and such, I've finally found these two:
http://cgi.ebay.com/2004-LCD-Display-USB-Edition-I-Smartie-module-PC-Case-/250680626277?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a5dbacc65#ht_3546wt_1139
http://cgi.ebay.com/20-4-LCD-Display-Board-UART-Based-USB-Edition-III-/230517204964?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35abe567e4#ht_5576wt_1139
They look the same, eh? They aren't.
On the back, there's a better way of plugging in a ambiance sensor (which is possible to use IF I find one), and there's supposedly a lot more features.
Cheaper one:
More expensive one:
So, which one is the better buy?
(I'm looking to see whether I should get the one with more features with a higher price, or the other one with smaller features, lower price.)
They're pretty nice looking, interesting for others to see, and pretty useful for seeing how my laptop is doing in terms of memory and CPU. (My Chrome loves to eat my memory, which is why I'd like to keep an eye on it)
So after a bit of research on eBay and such, I've finally found these two:
http://cgi.ebay.com/2004-LCD-Display-USB-Edition-I-Smartie-module-PC-Case-/250680626277?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a5dbacc65#ht_3546wt_1139
http://cgi.ebay.com/20-4-LCD-Display-Board-UART-Based-USB-Edition-III-/230517204964?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35abe567e4#ht_5576wt_1139
They look the same, eh? They aren't.
On the back, there's a better way of plugging in a ambiance sensor (which is possible to use IF I find one), and there's supposedly a lot more features.
Cheaper one:
Quote:
Features:
Integrate a 20*4 (blue background white character) LCD as the main display
Can be used to display info from serial COM port with tailored application- LCD Smartie and its displaying pattern can be adjusted
One USB A to mini USB AB cable and one USB mainboard extension cord are provided, both of which can be used for power connection and communication
Can readily be fixed into PC case
Package Contents:
20*4 LCD module x1
Mini USB cable x1
USB mainboard extension cord x1
Allen key x1
Bolt x 4
Screw x 8
Edition I
Software compatibility
Compatible with LCD Smartie only
Hardware included
USB-to-serial port converter CP2102
Communication
1. Serial COM port: USB mini B,USB 9-pin,
2. Single-row female socket
Integrate a 20*4 (blue background white character) LCD as the main display
Can be used to display info from serial COM port with tailored application- LCD Smartie and its displaying pattern can be adjusted
One USB A to mini USB AB cable and one USB mainboard extension cord are provided, both of which can be used for power connection and communication
Can readily be fixed into PC case
Package Contents:
20*4 LCD module x1
Mini USB cable x1
USB mainboard extension cord x1
Allen key x1
Bolt x 4
Screw x 8
Edition I
Software compatibility
Compatible with LCD Smartie only
Hardware included
USB-to-serial port converter CP2102
Communication
1. Serial COM port: USB mini B,USB 9-pin,
2. Single-row female socket
More expensive one:
Quote:
Features:
Integrate a 20*4 (blue background white character) LCD as the main display
Can be used to display info from serial COM port with tailored application- LCD Smartie or Sure-LCD and its displaying pattern can be adjusted
With Sure-LCD, ambient temperature can be obtained and displayed in either °F or ℃.
Allows you to edit memorandum (also called tips) and display tips continuously.
Various UART ports-based Smartie can be made, such as TTL, CMOS, RS232 and USB
Command set provided
One USB A to mini USB AB cable and one USB mainboard extension cord are provided, both of which can be used for power connection and communication
3 pieces LED indicator cables are provided to indicate power, data receiving and transfer.
Can readily be fixed into PC case
Provides 8 character libraries that can be redefined by users
Package Contents:
20*4 LCD module x1
Mini USB cable x1
USB mainboard extension cord x1
Allen key x1
Bolt x 4
Screw x 8
Cable harness-based LED indicators X3
Edition III
Software compatibility
Compatible with LCD Smartie & Sure-LCD
Hardware included
USB-to-serial port converter CP2102
Temperature sensor LM75
EEPROM: 24C04
Communication
1. Serial COM port: USB mini B,USB 9-pin,
2. Single-row female socket
3. Indicator ports for power,data transfer and receiving
4. A 3-pin 2510 socket for further use
Integrate a 20*4 (blue background white character) LCD as the main display
Can be used to display info from serial COM port with tailored application- LCD Smartie or Sure-LCD and its displaying pattern can be adjusted
With Sure-LCD, ambient temperature can be obtained and displayed in either °F or ℃.
Allows you to edit memorandum (also called tips) and display tips continuously.
Various UART ports-based Smartie can be made, such as TTL, CMOS, RS232 and USB
Command set provided
One USB A to mini USB AB cable and one USB mainboard extension cord are provided, both of which can be used for power connection and communication
3 pieces LED indicator cables are provided to indicate power, data receiving and transfer.
Can readily be fixed into PC case
Provides 8 character libraries that can be redefined by users
Package Contents:
20*4 LCD module x1
Mini USB cable x1
USB mainboard extension cord x1
Allen key x1
Bolt x 4
Screw x 8
Cable harness-based LED indicators X3
Edition III
Software compatibility
Compatible with LCD Smartie & Sure-LCD
Hardware included
USB-to-serial port converter CP2102
Temperature sensor LM75
EEPROM: 24C04
Communication
1. Serial COM port: USB mini B,USB 9-pin,
2. Single-row female socket
3. Indicator ports for power,data transfer and receiving
4. A 3-pin 2510 socket for further use
So, which one is the better buy?
(I'm looking to see whether I should get the one with more features with a higher price, or the other one with smaller features, lower price.) 
