Hardware maker golden age: PCBs, pocket devices, and indie manufacturing
A post on designing and assembling a first PCB drew enthusiastic comments about how cheap custom PCB manufacturing has become at prototype scale. JLCPCB was the default recommendation, with multiple commenters confirming reliable results. Separately, a post on the Kode Dot programmable pocket device for makers and pentesters drew comparisons to the Cardputer ($30), the M5 Stack, and the Flipper Zero.
The throughline: the hardware prototyping stack has commoditized to the point where a solo maker can go from schematic to functional board for tens of dollars. This is a genuine shift from even five years ago. The Beavis Ultrasound ISA sound card replica post showed the same dynamic at the retro hardware end of the spectrum.
The friction that remains is the gap between working prototype and sellable product. The Kode Dot discussion centered on price and differentiation rather than feasibility. Getting to hardware that someone will pay for is still hard; getting to hardware that works is now accessible.
So what?
The cost floor for hardware products has dropped dramatically, which means the competitive moat has shifted from 'can we build this' to 'why would someone buy this over the $30 alternative.' If you're considering a hardware product, your differentiation strategy needs to be figured out before you spend on manufacturing, not after.