05-05-2021, 03:47 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-08-2021, 06:03 AM by ijsbeer.
Edit Reason: added link
)
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
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