3.3V power regulator

[galileo-pkm]

Felt kind of pointless to submit a pull request for a simple doc update ...
Instead of the regular USB to serial adapters that have no separate regulator
for 3.3V you can use CH341 "programmer" boards. Price is the same as the
usual USB adapters if you select a bare bone variety.
Something like this:

These go for around €1.5 on AliExpress link

The more common variety (and a bit more expensive):

These go for around €3.5 on AliExpress link. On the upside you can use to it flash EEPROMs ...

[kuba2k2]

That's generally correct, but even using a programmer with a built in regulator can sometimes overload/reset the computer's USB port. I'm using a universal "ESP burner" board, with a regulator on board", and it basically disappears from the PC whenever I press the power switch.
Using a dedicated power supply or regulator will always be the most stable option.

[galileo-pkm]

Agreed on dedicated PSU but there must be something wrong with that board if it pulls more than 500mA. Out of curiosity: did you try connecting it to the USB3 port?

[kuba2k2]

It's not about continuous power draw, but the inrush current. Powering up the regulator, the WiFi SoC, charging the capacitors, can create a current spike. Also, using questionable quality cables probably also contributes to the issue. The voltage at the board just gets too low to operate properly, and it resets.