To get an original NVIDIA Jetson Nano Developer Kit running, write NVIDIA’s Jetson Nano SD card image to a microSD card, insert the card, connect a display and USB input devices, then power the board and complete its first-boot prompts. Check the board variant before buying a power supply: the original Nano’s guide specifies Micro-USB power, while the separate Nano 2GB guide specifies USB-C.
Check which Jetson Nano you have
These instructions focus on the original Jetson Nano Developer Kit. Its official guide describes it as a small AI computer for makers, learners, and developers. The Nano 2GB Developer Kit is a different variant, and its power and setup guidance should not be treated as interchangeable with the original board’s.
| Kit | Power connection and guidance | Card guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Original Jetson Nano Developer Kit | Micro-USB, 5V/2A guidance; the guide also documents barrel-jack power for headless setup. | At least 32GB UHS-I recommended. |
| Jetson Nano 2GB Developer Kit | USB-C, 5V/3A specified in its user guide. | Its guide recommends high-endurance and/or larger cards when swap use or heavier writes are a concern. |
Before flashing, check NVIDIA’s Jetson Download Center and its archive for an image that matches your board. NVIDIA’s getting-started material says JetPack 5.x, based on the Jetson Linux r35 codeline, supports Nano developer kits and modules, but that does not establish one image for every revision or workload.
What to gather for the original Nano
- A microSD card of at least 32GB, UHS-I. The original Nano uses it as both boot device and main storage.
- A host computer with internet access and a way to read and write microSD cards. If it has no card slot, use a suitable card reader or adapter.
- A good-quality 5V/2A Micro-USB power supply, plus its cable.
- An HDMI or DisplayPort display, and a USB keyboard and mouse.
NVIDIA cautions that a supply’s advertised output does not guarantee the power actually delivered to the board. Its official guide names the Adafruit GEO151UB-6025, rated 5V 2.5A with a 20AWG MicroUSB cable, as a validated example—not the only possible supply.
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- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
The card remains the Nano’s main storage, so capacity and endurance matter if your use involves frequent writes or swap. NVIDIA’s Nano 2GB guide specifically notes the possible effect of swap on card lifespan and recommends high-endurance and/or larger cards; that is useful context, not a guarantee of performance or lifespan for any particular card.
Write the image to the microSD card
- Open NVIDIA’s Get Started With Jetson Nano Developer Kit page and download the Jetson Nano Developer Kit SD Card Image that applies to your board.
- On the host computer, use NVIDIA’s instructions for your operating system to write the image. The guide covers Etcher workflows for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and includes command-line instructions for some systems.
- When the writing process finishes, safely eject the card from the host and insert it into the Nano’s microSD slot.
Follow the instructions for your host operating system rather than improvising a different flashing method. NVIDIA’s page has an incomplete Chrome OS section, so it should not be treated as a complete Chrome OS workflow.
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- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Setup and first boot with a display
- Place the board on a non-conductive surface. The pins on the underside can short against a conductive surface and damage the kit.
- Insert the imaged microSD card. Connect the display to HDMI or DisplayPort, then connect a USB keyboard and mouse.
- Connect the original Nano’s Micro-USB power supply and start the board.
- Follow the first-boot prompts: accept the Jetson software EULA, choose language, keyboard layout, and time zone, then create a username, password, and computer name.
- Select the APP partition size when prompted and allow setup to finish before logging in.
If the display stays blank or setup does not begin, verify that the card image is fully written and seated, that the display is connected to a supported output, and that the board is receiving power through the intended connection.
Initial setup in headless mode
You can configure the original Nano without a monitor, but the documented procedure is not simply to connect it to a network and assume setup is complete. It uses a second computer and a serial-terminal application to interact with the first-boot prompts.
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Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
For this original Nano procedure, NVIDIA specifies barrel-jack power while Micro-USB connects the board to the host for serial access. Consult the official guide for the exact header and jumper locations before wiring anything. Do not apply this wiring to the Nano 2GB by assumption; use that board’s own guide.
After logging in: choose a first project
NVIDIA links to Hello AI World learning material covering image classification, object detection, TensorRT, camera streaming, and C++ examples. These are learning paths, not a promise that every example works with every Nano image or hardware revision. Check the project’s requirements against the image installed on your board.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
For a robotics-oriented project, NVIDIA also points makers and learners to JetBot, an open-source project for building AI applications. Start with the project documentation and confirm its software prerequisites before following a setup recipe.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the Nano’s software and hardware notes mean
NVIDIA’s Jetson Linux r32.5 release notes describe Nano support for loading the kernel, device tree, and initrd from USB or NVMe storage, along with boot-firmware changes for Nano kits. These are release-specific details, not a substitute for the standard microSD first-boot steps above.
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- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
The same r32.5 notes say memory-intensive sample applications such as FasterRCNN INT8 do not work on the Nano 2GB kit in that release, and mention heat under continuous AI workloads. Those observations apply to the named release and variant; they are not a general performance test or a statement about every workload. Use the official download and archive listings to check the software available for your particular board before choosing a project.
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