TechWithRita

For Beginners, It’s Better Than The Uno

When I first started tinkering with electronics and microcontrollers, the Arduino Mega 2560 is what I started with. For quick comparison, the Arduino Mega is very similar to the Arduino Uno, except it’s a much larger device (about the size of a Raspberry Pi or small iPhone) with more pins. At its most basic level, the Uno and Mega have the same –if not more– functionalities and computing power as the Arduino Nano.

Looking back, I would prefer I began with the Nano instead of the Arduino Uno, because with a smaller device and fewer pins, this little but mighty development board can do practically all that the Uno can do, but with a much smaller learning curve, and smaller surface area. The devices now double in computing power while shrinking in size, and wouldn’t it be more motivating to build something out of a smaller device that you could package and pocket, or hide more easily than something bulky?

The Pinout is Easier To Memorize

What I mean by learning curve is this: the Arduino Nano (and all its off-brand copies) is easier to learn and master for its pinout is simpler. The board has fewer pins overall, so memorizing the digital pins from the analog pins is easier, and knowing which pins are PWM (pulse-width-modulation) and which are just digital is much faster on the Nano than on a larger Uno. There’s less business, less to keep track of overall on the board, so learning all of its key functionalities is easier compared to the other forms.

Nano Is Cheapo

The Nano has many copies made by 3rd-parties, and different brands use different chips for the microcontroller or “processor”, i.e. Atmel MEGA 328P or CH340 as the main chip (the biggest black square on the chip). This allows for the pricing to drop tremendously, as the competition in making these is heightened. This is not to say that one is better than the other, though there will always be those who go the extra mile to research and measure / test everything, who want to compare on the smallest level. We won’t do that here. This is just to get you briefed on the overall quality and functionality.

If you want something cheap and simple, any nano or look-a-like should all perform generally the same, and that’s all you need for practice, most especially for beginners.

Comparisons With Data

Knowing the max and min ranges and capabilities of the board is *crucial* for both your safety, and for the board’s, hah. The Nano and it’s copies are rated for the following general, overall specifications and comparisons:

Overall, the Nano is quite similar to the Uno, but in a smaller package. There’s more to do with smaller devices as they are easier to hide, so for using in projects, they can make for a clean, organized, space-saving option.