# 📖 Start Here — Hardware Guide

This book helps you choose the right hardware for your specific use case - whether you're buying your first node, kitting out a field team, or specifying infrastructure for a community network.

## 🚀 Just Want a Quick Answer?

- **First node, just want something to try:** [Best Hardware for Beginners](/books/hardware-guide/page/best-hardware-for-beginners)
- **Portable / hiking / field use:** [Best Hardware for Portable and Handheld Use](/books/hardware-guide/page/best-hardware-for-portable-and-handheld-use)
- **Fixed outdoor repeater:** [Best Hardware for Fixed Repeaters](/books/hardware-guide/page/best-hardware-for-fixed-repeaters)
- **Room server / gateway:** [Best Hardware for Room Servers and Gateways](/books/hardware-guide/page/best-hardware-for-room-servers-and-gateways)
- **Side-by-side comparison table:** [Popular Board Comparison Table](/books/hardware-guide/page/popular-board-comparison-table)

## 📚 What's In This Book

### Platform Choice: ESP32 vs nRF52840

- [ESP32 vs nRF52840: Which Platform?](/books/hardware-guide/page/esp32-vs-nrf52840-which-platform) - Power, performance, and compatibility differences
- [nRF52840 vs ESP32: Architecture Comparison for Mesh Operators](/books/hardware-guide/page/nrf52840-vs-esp32-architecture-comparison-for-mesh-operators)

### Radio Chip Selection

- [LoRa Radio Chips Explained: SX1262 vs SX1276 vs LR1110](/books/hardware-guide/page/lora-radio-chips-explained-sx1262-vs-sx1276-vs-lr1110)
- [SX1262 vs SX1276: Why It Matters](/books/hardware-guide/page/sx1262-vs-sx1276-why-it-matters)

### Device Categories

- [Budget Devices](/books/hardware-guide/page/budget-devices) - Under $30
- [Mid-Range Devices](/books/hardware-guide/page/mid-range-devices) - $30 - 80
- [Premium & Feature-Rich Devices](/books/hardware-guide/page/premium-feature-rich-devices)
- [T-Deck as a Standalone Communicator](/books/hardware-guide/page/t-deck-as-a-standalone-communicator)
- [T114 and T3-S3: New Hardware for 2025 - 2026](/books/hardware-guide/page/t114-and-t3-s3-new-hardware-for-2025-2026)

### Infrastructure Hardware

- [Fixed Infrastructure Node Hardware Selection](/books/hardware-guide/page/fixed-infrastructure-node-hardware-selection)
- [Prebuilt Solar Repeater Units](/books/hardware-guide/page/prebuilt-solar-repeater-units)
- [Base Station Nodes](/books/hardware-guide/page/base-station-nodes)

### Accessories

- [GPS Modules for LoRa Nodes](/books/hardware-guide/page/gps-modules-for-lora-nodes)
- [Displays for LoRa Nodes](/books/hardware-guide/page/displays-for-lora-nodes)
- [PCB Trace vs External Antenna](/books/hardware-guide/page/pcb-trace-vs-external-antenna)

### Software / Apps

- [MeshCore App (Official)](/books/hardware-guide/page/meshcore-app-official)
- [Meshtastic App](/books/hardware-guide/page/meshtastic-app)
- [MeshOS (Standalone Device Firmware)](/books/hardware-guide/page/meshos-standalone-device-firmware)

## ➡️ Related Books

- [DIY Build Guides](/books/diy-build-guides) - Device-specific setup and enclosure builds
- [Antennas & RF](/books/antennas-rf) - Choosing and installing antennas
- [Solar & Power Systems](/books/solar-power-systems) - Powering your nodes