POS Hardware Setup

CartOS POS works with a variety of hardware—from simple tablet-and-reader setups to full retail stations with printers, scanners, and cash drawers. This guide covers what hardware works with CartOS, how to connect it, and recommendations for different business types.

Hardware overview

A complete POS setup might include:

  • Display device – Tablet, laptop, or touchscreen terminal running the POS
  • Card reader – For accepting card payments
  • Receipt printer – For printing customer receipts
  • Cash drawer – For storing and managing cash
  • Barcode scanner – For quick product lookup
  • Customer display – Shows order details to the customer
  • Kitchen display – For restaurant order management
  • Scale – For selling items by weight

You don't need all of this—start with what you need and add more later. Many businesses run just fine with a tablet and card reader.

Display devices

CartOS POS runs in any modern web browser, giving you flexibility in what device you use.

iPad

The most popular choice for POS. iPads are reliable, have great touchscreens, and maintain value. Recommended models:

  • iPad (10th generation) – Great balance of price and performance
  • iPad Air – Thinner, faster, good for busy environments
  • iPad Pro – Overkill for most POS needs, but works great if you have one

Use at least a 10.2" screen—smaller iPads work but feel cramped. Consider an iPad stand for countertop use (brands like Square Stand, Heckler, or generic tablet stands work well).

Android tablets

Budget-friendly alternative to iPad. Look for:

  • At least 10" screen
  • Recent Android version (10 or newer)
  • Chrome browser support
  • Decent processing power (sluggish tablets frustrate staff and customers)

Samsung Galaxy Tab series are reliable options. Avoid very cheap no-name tablets—they often have poor touchscreen responsiveness and slow down over time.

Laptops and desktops

Any computer with Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge works. Good for:

  • Fixed checkout stations
  • Environments where a keyboard is useful
  • Dual-screen setups (POS on one screen, customer display on another)

Dedicated POS terminals

Purpose-built hardware like Elo touchscreen terminals or all-in-one POS systems. These are more expensive but designed for retail durability—spill-resistant, stable mounting, commercial-grade components.

Recommendations by business type

  • Pop-up or market – iPad or Android tablet with portable stand
  • Small retail – iPad with countertop stand
  • Busy retail – iPad Pro or dedicated terminal
  • Restaurant – iPads for servers, dedicated terminal for host stand
  • Office/low volume – Any laptop or desktop

Card readers

CartOS uses Stripe Terminal for card payments. Stripe offers several reader options:

Stripe Reader M2

Portable Bluetooth reader for mobile and countertop use.

  • Connection: Bluetooth to your tablet or phone
  • Accepts: Tap (NFC/contactless), chip (EMV), swipe (magstripe)
  • Battery: All-day battery life, USB-C charging
  • Best for: Mobile selling, small retail, pop-ups
  • Price: ~$59

BBPOS WisePOS E

Countertop reader with built-in touchscreen display.

  • Connection: WiFi or Ethernet (connects to your network, not directly to device)
  • Accepts: Tap, chip, swipe, PIN entry
  • Display: Customer-facing screen shows amount and prompts
  • Best for: Fixed retail locations, professional appearance
  • Price: ~$249

Stripe Reader S700

Premium countertop reader with large touchscreen.

  • Connection: WiFi or Ethernet
  • Accepts: Tap, chip, swipe, PIN
  • Display: Large customer-facing touchscreen for signatures, tips, receipts
  • Best for: High-volume retail, restaurants needing tip on screen
  • Price: ~$349

Connecting a card reader

Bluetooth readers (M2):

  1. Charge the reader fully
  2. Turn it on (hold the power button)
  3. In CartOS POS, go to Settings › Hardware › Card Reader
  4. Click Connect Reader
  5. Select your reader from the list
  6. Accept the Bluetooth pairing prompt

Network readers (WisePOS E, S700):

  1. Connect the reader to your network via WiFi or Ethernet
  2. The reader displays its IP address or pairing code
  3. In CartOS POS, go to Settings › Hardware › Card Reader
  4. Click Connect Reader
  5. Select Internet connection type
  6. Enter the reader's pairing code or let POS discover it on your network

Reader tips

  • Keep readers charged—a dead reader means lost sales
  • Update reader firmware when prompted
  • For Bluetooth readers, keep the tablet within 30 feet
  • Network readers need stable internet—have a backup plan for outages

Receipt printers

Thermal receipt printers produce customer receipts without ink (they use heat-sensitive paper). CartOS supports printers from major brands via Bluetooth or network connection.

Recommended printers

Star Micronics TSP143IV

  • Connection: WiFi, Ethernet, or USB
  • Paper width: 80mm (standard receipt width)
  • Speed: Fast, reliable
  • Best for: Most retail and restaurant setups
  • Price: ~$250-350

Star Micronics mC-Print3

  • Connection: Bluetooth, WiFi, Ethernet, USB
  • Modern compact design
  • Front-loading paper (easy to change)
  • Best for: Customer-facing setups where appearance matters
  • Price: ~$300-400

Epson TM-m30II

  • Connection: Bluetooth, WiFi, Ethernet
  • Compact cube design
  • Very reliable
  • Best for: Space-constrained counters
  • Price: ~$250-350

Star Micronics SM-S230i

  • Connection: Bluetooth
  • Portable, battery-powered
  • Paper width: 58mm (narrow receipts)
  • Best for: Mobile selling, markets, delivery
  • Price: ~$300

Connecting a receipt printer

Bluetooth printers:

  1. Put the printer in pairing mode (check manufacturer instructions)
  2. In CartOS POS, go to Settings › Hardware › Printers
  3. Click Add Printer
  4. Select Bluetooth and find your printer
  5. Print a test receipt to confirm

Network printers:

  1. Connect the printer to your network (WiFi setup or Ethernet cable)
  2. Find the printer's IP address (usually printed on a config receipt—hold the feed button while powering on)
  3. In CartOS POS, go to Settings › Hardware › Printers
  4. Click Add Printer
  5. Select Network and enter the IP address
  6. Print a test receipt

Receipt paper

Use thermal paper rolls sized for your printer (usually 80mm x 80mm or 58mm for portable printers). Stock up—running out of paper at a busy time is frustrating. Store paper in a cool, dry place; heat can prematurely activate thermal paper.

Cash drawers

If you accept cash, a cash drawer keeps it organized and secure. Most cash drawers connect to your receipt printer and open automatically when you complete a cash sale.

Recommended cash drawers

Star Micronics CD3-1616

  • Size: 16" x 16"
  • 5 bill / 8 coin compartments
  • Connects via RJ11 cable to Star printers
  • Price: ~$100

APG Vasario Series

  • Various sizes available
  • Durable steel construction
  • Industry standard, works with most printers
  • Price: ~$80-150

Epson DM-D30 (compact)

  • Smaller footprint for tight spaces
  • 4 bill / 8 coin
  • Works with Epson printers
  • Price: ~$100

Connecting a cash drawer

  1. Connect the cash drawer to your receipt printer using the included RJ11 cable (looks like a phone cord)
  2. In CartOS POS settings, enable "Open drawer on cash sale"
  3. The drawer opens automatically when you complete a cash transaction
  4. You can also open the drawer manually from the POS menu (with proper permissions)

Note: Cash drawers connect to printers, not directly to your tablet. If you don't have a receipt printer, you'll need a printer or a USB/Bluetooth drawer that works independently (these are less common).

Barcode scanners

Barcode scanners speed up product entry, especially for retail with many SKUs. Most scanners work as keyboard input—they "type" the barcode into whatever field is active.

Scanner types

Bluetooth handheld

  • Wireless, connects to tablet or computer
  • Good range of motion
  • Needs charging
  • Recommended: Socket Mobile S740, Zebra CS4070
  • Price: ~$200-400

USB handheld

  • Plug into computer via USB
  • No batteries or pairing needed
  • Budget-friendly
  • Recommended: Zebra LS2208, Honeywell Voyager
  • Price: ~$50-150

Presentation scanner

  • Hands-free scanning—pass item in front of scanner
  • Good for high-volume checkout
  • Recommended: Zebra DS9308, Honeywell Genesis
  • Price: ~$200-400

Camera scanning

  • Use your tablet's camera as a scanner
  • No extra hardware needed
  • Slower than dedicated scanners
  • Good for occasional scanning, not high volume

Setting up a barcode scanner

Bluetooth scanners:

  1. Put the scanner in pairing mode (check manual)
  2. Pair it with your tablet in Bluetooth settings
  3. In CartOS POS, tap the search field
  4. Scan a barcode—it should appear in the search field and find the product

USB scanners (computers only):

  1. Plug the scanner into a USB port
  2. It works immediately—no drivers needed for most scanners
  3. Focus on the search field and scan

Barcode setup for products

For scanning to work, your products need barcodes assigned. Enter the barcode (UPC, EAN, or custom) in the product's SKU or Barcode field. When scanned, POS searches for that code and adds the matching product.

Customer-facing displays

Show customers their order total and line items on a secondary screen. This builds trust and reduces errors.

Options

Second tablet/screen

Run the customer display view on a separate device facing the customer. In POS settings, enable customer display mode and open it on the second device.

Integrated pole display

Small LED or LCD displays that mount on a pole next to the register. More limited information but compact. Check compatibility—not all pole displays work with web-based POS.

Reader with display

Stripe's WisePOS E and S700 readers have customer-facing screens showing the amount. This serves as a basic customer display built into your card reader.

Kitchen displays (restaurants)

Kitchen display systems (KDS) show orders to kitchen staff, replacing paper tickets. Benefits: clearer orders, order timing, no lost tickets.

Setting up KDS

  1. Mount a tablet or screen in the kitchen
  2. Open the kitchen display URL (found in POS settings)
  3. Log in with kitchen staff credentials
  4. Orders appear as they're placed, organized by time or table
  5. Kitchen staff mark items complete as they're prepared

Use a rugged case to protect kitchen tablets from heat, moisture, and grease. Mount it where it's visible but out of the way.

Scales

For selling items by weight (produce, bulk goods, deli items), connect a digital scale.

Compatible scales

CartOS supports scales that output weight via USB or serial connection. Look for scales with:

  • Legal-for-trade certification (required for selling by weight in most jurisdictions)
  • USB or RS-232 output
  • Standard data protocols (most commercial scales work)

Recommended: CAS SW-1, Avery Berkel, Mettler Toledo

Using scales in POS

  1. Connect the scale to your computer (scales typically don't connect directly to tablets)
  2. Configure the scale in Settings › Hardware › Scale
  3. When adding a by-weight product, POS reads the weight from the scale
  4. Price calculates automatically based on weight and price-per-unit

Stands and mounts

Secure your tablet and present it professionally with a stand or mount.

Countertop stands

  • Heckler Design – Premium aluminum stands for iPad, various angles
  • Square Stand – Works with CartOS despite the branding (iPad compatible)
  • Generic tablet stands – Many affordable options on Amazon

Features to look for

  • Adjustable viewing angle
  • Cable management (hide the charging cable)
  • Security lock (prevent theft)
  • Swivel option (turn screen toward customer for signatures)

Putting it all together

Minimal mobile setup

  • iPad or tablet
  • Stripe Reader M2
  • Total: ~$400-600

Standard retail setup

  • iPad with stand
  • Stripe WisePOS E reader
  • Star receipt printer
  • Cash drawer
  • Total: ~$800-1,200

Full retail station

  • iPad Pro or dedicated terminal
  • Stripe S700 reader
  • Star receipt printer
  • Cash drawer
  • Barcode scanner
  • Customer display
  • Total: ~$1,500-2,500

Restaurant setup

  • Multiple iPads (server stations, host stand)
  • Card readers per station
  • Kitchen display tablet
  • Receipt printer(s)
  • Total: Varies widely by size

Troubleshooting

Bluetooth device won't connect

  • Make sure the device is in pairing mode
  • Restart Bluetooth on your tablet
  • Forget the device and re-pair
  • Check battery level
  • Move devices closer together

Printer not printing

  • Verify printer is on and connected (network or Bluetooth)
  • Check for paper jams
  • Print a test page from printer settings
  • Restart the printer
  • Verify IP address hasn't changed (for network printers)

Card reader not processing

  • Ensure reader is charged and paired
  • Check internet connection
  • Restart the reader
  • Re-pair the reader in POS settings
  • Try a different card to rule out card issues

Related articles