Lapdocks

[fervi]

Recently, a new version of Pinephone with a docking station appeared on the Internet. I am very happy that Pine64 is developing better and better, but ...

In 2011 (around) Motorola released its smartphone, which was interesting for many hackers - Motorola Atrix and for some time continued its idea of connecting the phone with a computer using the so-called Lapdock



So, in short, the shell of a laptop to which the phone was connected, which became a laptop.

Maybe Pine64 team can think if they could make such a project for Pinephones? Normally people would use Pinephone and connect to it with all the data in one place. In case of hardware upgrade (e.g. new version of PinePhone) you can just buy a new PinePhone and keep the station.

Often such stations allow you to connect e.g. Raspberry Pi. If the product would be cheap (I don't want to say here how much it should cost, but in my opinion about 100 dollars - HP sells its own for about 700 dollars - I think they fell on their heads, cause you can buy 3 pinebook pro). And I think everybody would be happy.

[wibble]

I preferred Always Innovating's earlier implementation to Motorola's. Either way it wouldn't be much of a stretch to take the existing PineBook (Pro) or PineTab and replace the main board with a USB-C dock board. There's a good chance it would work with other phones and SBCs too since I'd expect it to be standards compliant, so the potential market is bigger than just PinePhone customers.

[tllim]

Thanks on the tips, will explore since resource allows.

[SpoofyKid]

Thanks on the tips, will explore since resource allows.

Don't forget the Asus PadFone https://m.gsmarena.com/asus_padfone-pictures-3965.php

[wibble]

http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/innovation/

[jfrederickson]

Since I see it somehow hasn't been mentioned yet: this exists, I have a NexDock 2 which is exactly this. (And which should work just fine with the PinePhone models that have fixed USB-C display output: https://twitter.com/Mariogrip/status/128...5085155329)

That's now out of stock, but the touchscreen version is in production and due to ship soon: https://nexdock.com/touch/

[qxotic]

Since I see it somehow hasn't been mentioned yet: this exists, I have a NexDock 2 which is exactly this. (And which should work just fine with the PinePhone models that have fixed USB-C display output: https://twitter.com/Mariogrip/status/128...5085155329)

That's now out of stock, but the touchscreen version is in production and due to ship soon: https://nexdock.com/touch/

I was thinking along the same lines after seeing ETA Prime's review of the new version... what I would love to see is a complete Pinebook pro which could ALSO be connected to by phones or SBCs for use of touchscreen monitor, keyboard and touchpad.  You would then have a fully functioning low power laptop to take with you, but when desired, could connect other things to it.. even a powerful NUC.. would be a cleaner solution than the portable monitor and keyboard I have to use currently to make my NUC mobile.. some of them have USB C for monitor so that would help reduce cables.  Another thing that would be cool is if the lapdock had it's SBC on a removable card for upgrading.  (I know that one is more of a reach.. and over time ports get outdated, but it would potentially give long life the the lapdock.

[biketool]

The reality is that in a world where we can get a pi zero W for $10 it is better for every screen and keyboard to have it's own OS, file system, and processing ability.  Even back in the late 90s and early 2000s I was SSHing into my computers or servers to offload work from my mobile device even from an old Handspring Visor or Sharp Zaurus.  You can get your phone's GUI up on a laptop with VNC but for me at least getting a remote terminal and being able to transfer files is really where I want to go, that includes treating my mobile devices like a server for my laptop.
In a Linux/Unix lifestyle everything is just another server you can access and exploit to serve your needs best.
I would not like to have to jack my phone in to an otherwise dead keyboard and screen, but I would like my phone or other mobile device as tightly integrated as possible with my other digital assets when they are in the same space or 11000km away.

[ijsbeer]

Sorry for necroposting.

I'd like to elaborate on the concept of a hybrid lapdock / smart portable monitor, as I think current developments make this very useful, and the market is emerging.
As smartphones are becoming powerful enough to fulfill many people's computing needs, and are often being replaced every couple of years anyway, a durable lapdock may soon be a better investment for many than a laptop / PC & monitor. It can be cheaper, more compact and longer lasting.

Nexdock already make a laptop form-factor, but the tablet / portable monitor with keyboard form-factor doesn't seem to be readily available.

Concept:

Looks like a big Pinetab. Can be used as a lapdock, durable portable monitor or slow tablet.

Screen
- 15.6" (reason: laptop/desktop replacement. Meets the current demand for portable monitors.)
- HDMI input ("portable monitor")
- USB C display input (docking)
- USB C powered
- Integrated battery (removable, device can still be used with external power source after battery eventually breaks)
- Integrated SOC capable of casting (mirror display through Wifi from Linux and Android devices)
- 3.5 mm stereo jack
- Optional: Magnet in top bezel for attaching smartphone (with magnetic plate glued to back of phone, as is common in car mounts. Like this the phone's rear camera can be used as a webcam.)
- Optional: threaded VESA mount holes in top and/or bottom bezel for attaching SBC cases, power banks etc. (The VESA mount holes could be on hinges so legs can be attached, and so mechanical breaking is avoided when only 2 screws are used to attach to a VESA mount.)

Keyboard
- Detachable (like pinetab)
- USB C port for wired connection when detached
- Optional: battery and bluetooth

Docking bar
- Connects to screen using same drop-in connector as keyboard
- Foldable legs (allowing use as desktop monitor stand)
- VESA mount holes (2 threaded holes to attach to standard VESA monitor mounts)
- Ports: USB C power input, USB A, ethernet, 3.5mm stereo out, HDMI out (for dual display), USB C docking port (for use with other host devices)


So it kind of comes down to a USB C 3.1 dock integrated in a portable monitor, for which the host can be switched between the integrated SOC and an external USB 3.1 device (like a Pinephone). Maybe a hardware switch can do this. All other components are separately connected through this USB interface; the display, battery, keyboard, ...

Especially the aspect of still being useful when the SOC is outdated makes for an important improvement over current affordable laptops/tablets to me.


There are a couple of threads discussing the same topic:
https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?...ht=concept
https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?...ht=concept
https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=12416

[ijsbeer]

Hinges

I suppose there's a reason why this doesn't exist, but shaft hinges with 2 exposed threaded holes (M4, spaced 100mm apart as in VESA) in the bottom bezel, would make this a very practical screen for custom builds.

If the pogo pin connector is fixed to the monitor's hinge, putting 2 M4 screws through 4mm holes in the keyboard could transform it into a laptop. The screw holes in the keyboard could have M5 thread in the bottom half, so an M5 socket set screw with the tip ground down to 3mm can be slid into the M4 holes in the monitor's hinges as a support if you want to keep it removable. The same screw connections can be used on the docking bar (making it like look a heavier Lenovo Thinkvision M14). Alternatively a design like the M14 with a bar permanently attached to 360 hinges could be used, with the keyboard and VESA/desktop dock slotting in.

If the bottom pogo pins are available separately, it could be exceptionally easy to build custom devices. Just drill 3 holes in a box, solder a USB C port to the pogo connector (or sell it pre-soldered) and glue it in place, put M4 screws into the hinges, finished. Then you can add stuff into the box like a keyboard for people with disabilities, a DJ-setup, measuring devices, an SBC, ... All without external cables. And maybe easier than anything else on the market?

A VESA bracket plate screwed onto the hinges could serve to mount accessories (SBC, powerbank) to the back of the monitor. It could quickly be flipped to use as a stand if thumb screws are used.



An illustration of how a smartphone could be used as a webcam with a magnet in the top bezel.