The Ultimate Portable KVM Console! - Dopesplay DR138 Lapdock

In today's video we take a look at one of the most useful tools I've bought in a long time - a "Lapdock" which is essentially an all-in-one, portable monitor, keyboard and touchpad which is perfect for use as a KVM console for setting up servers/PCs or for use as a portable touchscreen monitor.
Buy a 13.3" Lapdock on AliExpress (Affiliate): geni.us/UH5itjY
Buy other hardware shown on Amazon (Affiliate):
- Benfei VGA to HDMI Adapter: geni.us/zNuRqt
- USB Y-Splitter Cable: geni.us/LfnNslP
- Sleeve/Carrying Case: geni.us/SI1p99
Download my calibrated ICC profile: files.camerongray.me/dopespla...
www.camerongray.me/
/ camerongray1515
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
03:27 - Looking at the Hardware
07:39 - Using with Samsung DeX
10:27 - Using as a Portable Monitor
12:41 - Using as a KVM for a Desktop PC
16:57 - Build Quality - Keyboard & Touchpad
22:41 - Battery Life
24:01 - Screen Quality
30:29 - Using as a KVM with a Server
35:33 - Building my "Portable KVM Kit"
37:34 - Teardown
47:38 - Conclusion
AFFILIATE LINKS NOTICE:
Product links under this video marked “(Affiliate)” are affiliate links where I may receive a small commission on qualifying sales. Affiliate programs that I am a member of include, but are not limited to: Amazon Associates, eBay Partner Network and AliExpress Affiliates.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Purchasing through these affiliate links will not cost you any more money, however the commission earned significantly helps fund the production of videos on my channel.

[@camerongray1515]

Buy a 13.3" Lapdock on AliExpress (Affiliate): geni.us/UH5itjY Buy other hardware shown on Amazon (Affiliate): - Benfei VGA to HDMI Adapter: geni.us/zNuRqt - USB Y-Splitter Cable: geni.us/LfnNslP - Sleeve/Carrying Case: geni.us/SI1p99

[@ElementalITcc]

your link for the lapdock is not working.....

[@joshuaanhalt3180]

If you are already carrying a laptop, you can turn it into a KVM, here are four options. The "Startech NOTECONS" is a USB device that captures VGA video, and emulates a keyboard and mouse. The "Aurga Viewer" is a small HDMI dongle that captures video and emulates a keyboard and mouse, you wirelessly connect a laptop, tablet or phone to the dongle to act as the console. The "PiKVM" or the "Lantronix Spider" would also work, letting your laptop view and control the device over a local or remote network connection.

[@Look_What_You_Did]

The list of options are longer than this video... But he doesn't make a commission.

[@nadtz]

I've used the spider, it's potential bugginess and latency aside it costs more than this used. I haven't used the startech but I believe it's around $400 as well. Hadn't heard of the Aurga, might grab one of those to test since it looks to be inexpensive. The spider when it's working properly (which to be fair is most of the time) is nice since you don't need to be at the machine you are working on but for my use I'm generally at the machine anyway so a 'simple' console that I can just attach and start working makes more sense but ymmv and options are always a good thing.

[@ff1077]

Wish there was an open source variation of the Startech notecons. Give it the same treatment of swappable display IO like the Frameworks laptops and it would be great. Could even make it compatible with the modules as well. It would be a dongle device so people can use it with most laptops or tablet computers. Throw in an open source piece of software that parses the on screen mouse position and it would be a solid option.

[@vileerdeng]

I've made a device called Pi-Cast KVM to control the headless servers using my laptop or iPad. It's powered by the PiKVM software, but the difference is that I combine a USB ethernet chipset in the device. So I could power and access the device with just one USB-C cable without worrying about the routers and switches.

[@berlinberlin4246]

​@@vileerdenghow much speed you get via the USB Ethernet? I'm asking for a fast way to boot a system via ipxe but portable and standalone offline

[@movax20h]

I discovered Lapdock name few weeks ago, and this is exactly what I was looking for. I designed my own "lapdock" few years ago (using old Thinkpad laptop chassis, for connecting to a desktop computer, using HDMI for screen + USB for keyboard and mouse and power, with about 10 meters cable, but I didn't know others also made ones, and smaller ones. Now few weeks ago I was thinking about laptop or tablet, but nothing really looked right for me. But laptop with my phone would be perfect, when committing on train (25 minutes), and such. Sysadmining servers or rasberry pi and other SBCs, sometimes is also useful. I didn't know of Dopesplay, so this is very useful video. Thanks for the review.

[@sevensixtwo5001]

Neat little KVM! Thank you for making this video

[@Alpha8713]

What a cool device. I've wanted something like this for years, for exactly the same use case as yours. I might have to spring for it.

[@DigisDen]

Spot on Cameron, this is EXACTLY what I have been looking for, as well as headless servers, I have a ton of arm devices. This is already going to save me so, so much time, thanks for the usual in depth review.

[@DigisDen]

I've order the 14 inch, my eyes are not that clever and it was only about a tenner more, got the extra cables and bag too, also bagged a mini hdmi to micro hdmi at the same time for my pi4s.

[@ArtiZirk]

It's possible that the capacity in the listing was using 10000mAh@3.8v rating that would equal 38Wh. Exactly what's written on the battery itself.

[@camerongray1515]

I imagine that's what they'll have done - tweak the voltage you're calculating it with to get a more impressive looking number.

[@billhgong]

@@camerongray1515that’s true. However it’s kind of a common practice to marketing battery mAh based on 3.8v as that’s how most power banks mark their capacity.

[@FunkyDeleriousPriest]

If only they made one with a VGA input. That's required for 90% of the things I'd need a KVM for.

[@camerongray1515]

Yeah, VGA would have been the dream although that would inevitably push this from a regular consumer product that happens to be useful as a KVM to an actual professional KVM and probably increase the price by 10x! The VGA to HDMI converter I'm using works pretty well at least and isn't really more trouble then carrying around a VGA cable.

[@voltare2amstereo]

This +1

[@digitalizeddeath]

Same, I use a lot of Pentium 4 651 based servers as that chip is really the bridge chip of the old and new It’s an older Pentium with x64 capabilities And don’t be fooled it’s still useful It has hyperthreading and it goes up to 8 gb ram

[@thefumigator]

I use a VGA to HDMI adapter. I know it's overkill, but it works, at least with a portable monitor.

[@rationalraven8956]

So cool, never knew such a thing existed! Could be very useful for configuring my raspberry pis!

[@kevinhughes9801]

Excellent video have one of these coming thanks for in-depth breakdown

[@andljoy]

That looks super useful! Even better that its ANSI , i much prefer it! I think to make it simple and quick to use it may be worth making up some custom cables with converters in it, would need some work on conversion tho. And don't mention radios on a roof to me! A few months ago i was on call and our porters radios failed about 10 at night. I get on site and go look at the repeater on the roof in the plant room and one of the steam valves has failed, there was 2 inches of water on the floor and it must have been 50c in there and absolutely full of steam, this caused the PSU on the moto repeater to die!

[@ubercorey]

Been looking for this also, thank you!

[@rdwatson]

I _knew_ something like this had to exist. Thanks for finally putting a name to it and for the thorough review. Also, be careful not to punature the battery.

[@Look_What_You_Did]

You mean the same thing that has been in use in server environments for two decades?

[@camerongray1515]

Of course KVM consoles have existed for decades, they're nothing new, however they're not exactly the sort of device you can just throw in a backpack! Likewise, while USB KVM console devices do also exist, they cost significantly more than what this device costs and don't have the added benefit of being usable as a portable second monitor for a laptop.etc

[@jtsotherone]

@@Look_What_You_Did an integrated rechargeable display keyboard and mouse for less than $200? Please cite examples.

[@nadtz]

@@Look_What_You_Did If you can show me one of these that is battery powered and easily portable for $200 I'll grab it right now. Yes KVM consoles are a thing but those are meant to be static. For someone like me who hops around multiple cabs/cages which don't all have KVM consoles not having to request and lug around a DC crash cart is a no brainer and battery powered is a nice extra. Add in I can also use it for my homelab and it's additional use and there is no comparison.

[@agoodm]

I bought one using your link, they didn't have stock and swapped me up to a 14" model for an extra charge. Works great and still fits in that same case.

[@agoodm]

I've tried to start using this in anger the past couple of days - basically ive got 30+ servers to upgrade from centos 7 to alma linux 8. Commonly the servers do not boot after one step in the upgrade process as it doesnt update grub on both drives in the raid and tries to boot the 'wrong' one. The lapdock sees the bios and grub when its working correctly but wanst able to display the grub rescue prompt. Very frustrating as it means it cant be trusted as a monitor 😞

[@m13253]

Thanks for the color profiling!

[@Felix-ve9hs]

Copared to 1000-2000€ 19" KVMs this is a steal :^)

[@t.mollov566]

I was really thinking to design a portable monitor as All-in-One PC as a replacement for a laptop, because laptops are so expensive in my country and not that upgradable, but with similar device i think i can achieve my goal, thanks for the idea.

[@balls2bone]

I still have one of the original Atrix Lapdocks (with a Norweigen keyboard layout, I'm in UK). I never had a compatible phone (still don't), I got it for communiticating with Raspberry Pies. I rarely use it these days as my Sys Admin Foo is a lot better, but it's still useful! I did in fact use mine as a second monitor on my desktop during lockdown for video calls (I now have a 2nd matching monitor).

[@tschubb1992]

This combined with a telescopic stool would be epic for on site work. Crash cart in a bag 😎

[@illiteratebeef]

43:34 They actually count the mAh of each cell at it's native voltage ignoring that it's in 2s series in the pack. So 10k mAh@3.8v, 5k mAh@7.6v

[@camerongray1515]

Yeah, that makes sense, of course the correct capacity to advertise would be the Wh rating, but of course, that would be a less impressive number!

[@labbiee]

I love that! Would it be useful to put like a ventoy drive in the sd card reader if you are installing lots of operating systems? Might be slow but could be a good backup if you forget other installation media.

[@camerongray1515]

That's a great idea! I'll definitely need to give that a go and see if it works!

[@Tsaukpaetra]

I think it's important also to confirm expectations, I'd expect the USB side to be 2.0 so be prepared for those longer boot times.

[@nadtz]

Wow, I've been wanting something like this to replace what I'm currently using in my homelab + DC use for a while now and the price isn't outrageous for what it is. I was going to hack together something but would have needed to buy a laptop to do it anyway, might just grab this when I finally get around to it after rebuilding a couple of my homelab machines, thanks for the video. Wonder why they are twice the price on amazon though.

[@Huddy52]

I worked at hp and found the lapdock you mentioned in the tech junk box in the office. Never got it working. good times

[@SproutyPottedPlant]

Yes! I would like one of those , would be good for music production purposes 😀 no need to bring the powerful PC running your DAW to your instrument or buying an expensive laptop!

[@maxmyzer9172]

I have been looking for something like this!!! They should make one with pen support

[@longdarkrideatnight]

I have wanted one of these for 25 years, for the crash cart or a wiring closet, server room. (The only thing that would be better would be having the inputs as part of a laptop, so you could use like this device)

[@ericbarlow6772]

I have a NexDock 360 and it looks like a similar model to yours. I use mine with my Steam Deck along with a wireless mouse. I’ve been able to run games on it that use a keyboard and mouse rather well (eg World of Warcraft).

[@Soupie62]

For use in the field, I would be happy with something smaller. Like the Gemini (Psion clone) from Planet Computing, or SLIGHTLY larger. A wide bar style screen is plenty, throw away the touchpad and use a Thinkpad trackpoint instead. Plus, for connecting to Cisco routers, switches, etc. an RS-232 port would be a godsend.

[@ukrainian-redneck]

A few month ago I sketched something similar as one of my “I’m willing this into reality before dying” thing .. well, less things to worry about 😅

[@lilalj07]

I think this is a rebranded NextDoc. Looks identical in every way down to the built in digital controls.

[@user-28qhfk65]

This thing would be useful when I was buying a laptop & phone with broken screen last year

[@jierenzheng7670]

I always wanted something like this but I always couldn't find a use case for myself (maybe when my Pixel 8 supports HDMI out) as I already have a laptop. Hopefully Framework comes up with a KVM module instead similar to the GPD Pocket 3.

[@DigisDen]

I've just found plugging this in with a single usb-c to an Orange Pi 5 Plus gives you a nice little laptop. :)

[@TechieZeddie]

This looks exactly like the NexDock 360. Even the OSD is similar. I wonder if NexDock just rebranded something from AliExpress or someone copied NexDock. They were the first universal lapdock i know of. I bought their NexDock Touch, but it shuts off after 30 seconds of no video input, making it hard to use as a crash cart when trying to get into the BIOS sometimes. Also it defaults to F keys disabled so you need to hit Fn every time you turn it back on. And that touch pad is crap but serviceable. If it was better, I may actually use it for more than just crash cart situations.

[@bazzeil]

Yea, there's a few with this same device with different branding. Netdock seems to be the first to have them, currently nexdock is the only one with the wireless refresh of the 360. It'd be nice if there was competition in this space, love the devices.

[@camerongray1515]

It looks like NexDock definitely initially pioneered this type of product but then other manufacturers began producing similar models which NexDock are now rebranding as the 360. As far as wireless goes, even that's not unique to the NexDock anymore - many of the generic (Dopesplay/Uperfect.etc) ones also support wireless now.

[@felderup]

wasn't till watching your vid that i thought multiuser stuff would be great for such a thing, i'd been interested in using one for sbc's, tons of possibilities, my diyphoneinatube idea. i've got a nice laptop screen i can use to build one, but i'm already using it as an external monitor, a cheap dock is preferable.

[@declanmcardle]

@44:00 I think that's the mobile battery from Dom Jolly's mobile phone sketch from 2002...

[@n.l3880]

I use one of thouse cheapo HDMI to USB capture cards and a Logitech K400 Keyboard+Touchpad Just plug it into my Laptop and use that as a display Works well enough for my use

[@cyber_robot889]

Perfect for my steam deck!

[@chrisw1462]

Could you spend _another_ 5 minutes on how the HDMI adapter works? Don't think I quite got it.. 😛 I am glad you described every single connection to that Dell in detail. I really needed to waste some more time today.

[@tedbrousky1934]

Can it be used with an ipad desktop mode? And does the touch would work? Thats intereting for my use. Thanks and keep up the good work!

[@jamescarey7768]

Technically you could write a bootable windows image to a spair MicroSD card and chuck it in the side of the LapDock so you'd always have it there if you needed it. You could even have a second one with a Linux image or PFSense that you just keep in the bag so you'd always have them there and ready if you need them.

[@markb4071]

can you deploy Ventoy to a MicroSD and have a choice of OSes?

[@jamescarey7768]

@@markb4071 I don't see why not 🤔

[@TheHoonShow]

I wish there was a linux distro that could convert laptops into a lapdeck! I absolutely love these types of devices, but the display quality and the trackpad makes me want to wait a bit before I pick one up

[@Tsaukpaetra]

Interesting to see other manufacturers are copying NexDock, I've had my NexDock kit for a few years and it's great,with exception to the automatic power off. Not so sure about this one's mini HDMI port but if it works it works. 😇

[@boban250]

Regarding battery size, it's 10 Ah at 3.8V, connected in series for 7.6V. This is one of the reasons why I prefer Wh to mAh, it could be 20000 mAh alkaline battery and have less energy than this one :D

[@voltare2amstereo]

Running two screen, having the keyboard and trackpad could make ergonomics work better when multi screening.

[@markarca6360]

NextDock: Am I a joke to you?

[@raywilcher1385]

I'd like to use a tablet as a monitor alongside a USB keyboard and mouse but am not sure if you can connect PC/server HDMI to the tablet. Anybody aware of a dongle that does this?

[@negative2747]

I really want this but with barebones chromebook capability.

[@davidp4456]

Raspberry Pi dock. Nice!

[@DigisDen]

I just want to add to this. I have the 14 inch and it certainly isn't the silver bullet I was hoping it would be. The problem with mine is that I don't think it is capable of displaying lower resolutions. This only seems to apply to the vga to hdmi, maybe its that thats the problem but when hooking it up to multiple servers, I miss out on much of the display, I can get into bios for example, but I just get no output prior to that. If I need to get into maybe IPMI, or raid card config, no chance of that. Would I buy it again knowing this? Certainly, its still excellent for anything with native HDMI output.

[@jamescollins6085]

Not sure if a more expensive model can do this, but it would be great if these could do KVM over IP via an included transmission device that plugs into the server.

[@camerongray1515]

This sort of device won't since it's a cheap consumer "lapdock" that I just happen to use as a KVM. You're unlikely to find a device like this with a built in IP KVM but you can easily get IP KVM dongles that would work as you're describing, although being marketed as proper datacente equipment compared to a cheap consumer device such as this, they aren't cheap!

[@jamescollins6085]

​@@camerongray1515 I have just remembered the PiKVM exists, which may be the only consumer friendly priced option available. With the Introduction of the Pi 5, it would probably offer a better experience than many of the more premium options, too.

[@iindium49]

You can hot glue your micro HDMI connector to make it permanent and less junky.

[@JDoawp]

Soooo it's a slightly more advanced terminal? :p

[@vinniepie1989]

My Dopesplay DR138 have a power cycle.. it’s power off, and after couple seconds. It’s turning on again. I’m not so happy with this issue

[@Lachlant1984]

I wonder if this lapdock would work with the latest iPhones as they have USB-C. Of course iOS would probably need to support such a device and I have no clue if this would work or not.

[@user-28qhfk65]

I'm sure it could, at least iphone 15 pro max could because it has usb c 3.1 which supports hdmi over usb c. iPad and Macbook too

[@collectorguy3919]

This could be an option on a business laptop to switch between laptop and KVM.

[@Mike-yy4ll]

Are there devices like that, but where you can insert the phone instead of touchpad?

[@paulb4uk]

Handy device .

[@BigRevs]

Great review, thanks. Would a Mini HDMI to VGA cable work? Then there wouldn’t be a need for the usb splitter or power?

[@camerongray1515]

It depends on the cable in question as cables that convert between HDMI and VGA are directional. A VGA to Mini HDMI cable would work but not a Mini HDMI to VGA cable as this would be designed to connect a MiniHDMI device to a VGA monitor. Likelihood is that cable you're referring to is HDMI to VGA as this doesn't require external power as power is provided by the source HDMI port. On the other hand, an HDMI port on a monitor doesn't provide power, nor does VGA, hence why the VGA to HDMI adapters require external power.

[@BigRevs]

Thanks for the reply, so sorry does A VGA to Mini HDMI cable exist that doesn’t require power or it’s not possible?

[@camerongray1515]

That wouldn't be possible, converting between VGA and HDMI requires a chip that needs power. HDMI to VGA converters take this power from the HDMI port on the source device, but with a VGA source and an HDMI display, neither of the ports output power.

[@unicodefox]

I wonder why anyone hasn't put one of those cheap hdmi capture devices & a USB KB/M emulators on a dongle so you can run software on a laptop, would fill a similar role, but you can also google from it and only have to carry one laptop sized thing

[@camerongray1515]

They do exist, they're known as "USB KVM Consoles" but unfortunately they attract the "professional datacente hardware" price premium and cost upwards of £500.

[@pineappleroad]

Some people I know have fallen into the trap of buying £200 laptops (and I have had the misfortune of using one, and one of them has developed a fault that prevents it from turning on)

[@OnnieKoski]

Would love to pick one of these up, but at 260 fredom bucks, it’s a bit pricey.

[@marksmod]

I would like to have a lapdock with a programmable mechanical keyboard...

[@evgenypotapov3716]

Gpd pocket 3 have a build in kvm

[@DigisDen]

Cameron, a quick question please. Do you know how to get \ and | on this thing? Mine arrived today for anyone wondering how fast shipping is from China to the UK. 9 days.

[@camerongray1515]

I'm not at home right now so would need to check later but have you tried the key above the return key? You might need so set your machine to expect a US keyboard since that's essentially what this has.

[@DigisDen]

@@camerongray1515 I have certainly solved it on the ubuntu box, at the console, "loadkeys us" does the job, once finished, "loadkeys uk" to get it back to normal in ssh.

[@henriksundt7148]

Can it have firmware updates to amend the problem of touch+physical button click?

[@camerongray1515]

It may be technically possible to resolve through a firmware update, but I'm not aware of any such updates being available.

[@amcluesent]

So it's like a 3270 then?

[@movax20h]

For me all touchpads are crap, no matter the brand or type, even apple ones. I strongly prefer trackpoint, or old IBM/Lenovo touchpad (small ones with physical separate buttons), but even then only would use them sporadically. It is really cute device here tho. I like that Function keys are on by default, but do not like that they are all small and continuous (I prefer Function keys to be spaced by group of 4 as on desktop keyboards), as it helps a lot of finding keys by touch. And I use function keys a lot (my text editor uses a lot of Functions keys). And another issue is lack of extra USB (i.e. for connecting hard drive or a mouse, which would be really useful when connecting lapdock to a phone), either USB C or USB A, while charging. And it looks like you cannot connect USB hub to the charging port, only charging. :/

[@girlyvoice3210]

How much does this weigh?

[@aquilafasciata5781]

If this were $150 maybe $200, absolutely. As is, though, that’s quite a steep price.

[@movax20h]

The battery capacity is correct. It is 10000mAh at 3.8V. 38Wh. 5000mAh at 7.6V. This is because most battery banks and phones are single cells, and it is common to rate battery energy, in terms of equivalent battery capacity at 3.7V. But this is single cell. So they are not laying.

[@kylenorris9585]

Can it be connected wirelessly to your phone

[@kiyoshimatsutsuyu1931]

There is a wireless version of the laptop that cost a bit more but can do wireless

[@kowoba]

Why isn’t this a product already? Yes we have lights-out management, but every now and then even that fails and we temporarily need physical console access on servers (to reset IP config of mgmt) and for that I would _love_ a small portable kvm console, with usb, ps/2, vga, display port. Judt like the ones we can mount in racks, only portsble. Again, why isn’t this a product already.

[@dangerousmythbuster]

This would be even better if it had a VGA input. Having to carry an adapter sucks. And why mini HDMI? I'd gladly have a device slightly thicker so that they could put full size HDMI, DP, and VGA right on the device.

[@camerongray1515]

The adapter isn't ideal, although it isn't really any more awkward to carry than a VGA cable, it's not like it used to be where spare VGA cables were everywhere, even if this has a VGA port, you'd still need to carry a VGA cable with it to be on the safe side.

[@lorensims4846]

Ideal for something like a Raspberry Pi. A modern dumb terminal.

[@und4287]

I guess the Chinese OEMs write "Pls" instead of "Please" to save those precious few bytes of ROM/flash :)

[@ddoecke]

"If you click int he middle of the touchpad, it clicks both left and right" Oh sweet! Minesweeper mode!

[@klaernie]

Damn, that lapdock is cheaper than the Atrix Lapdock i bought for this very purpose a few months ago.

[@camerongray1515]

I actually started off this project by looking at getting an Atrix lapdock but by sheer luck found this, was pretty surprised at how expensive the Atrix ones were, presumably some sort of "retro"/"rare" premium.

[@klaernie]

@@camerongray1515 the problem is, that searching for lapdock brings more atrix ones - since they have a 10y head start on getting into search engines. And all alternatives are fairly hidden. I wish I'd gotten a nicer newer one, since having the plugs do up at an angle is really shit. Oh well, some day the budget will be there.

[@patrickwigmore3462]

I was disappointed you weren't able to find a neater solution for the cables. Knowing you, I imagine you probably *did* do an exhaustive search for the best possible cables and there probably isn't a simpler solution that's reasonably possible. This seems to be one of those cases where the ideal cable is (probably) technically possible, but, when you actually go looking for one, all you can find are cables that connect the right kinds of signals, but only in the opposite direction to what you need. Cables that work in the required direction either don't exist or are impossible to search for because search engines don't respect the distinction between "from X to Y" and "from Y to X". So, instead of finding a Y-cable that does "video and USB to Type C", all you can find is "Type C to video, maybe with some kind of USB in one direction or another".

[@camerongray1515]

While straight cables are all technically possible, being MiniHDMI really limits your selection of what is widely available. Therefore going with adapters to convert everything to female HDMI and then using a MiniHDMI to HDMI cable was the best option. Realistically this works fine and is probably actually better than carrying a 50cm+ cable for each possible connection I'd need. The DisplayPort adapter arrangement I used here wasn't neat for sure, however these were the adapters I already had around. If I wanted something neater there would be nothing stopping me buying both a MiniDP to HDMI and DP to HDMI adapter. That said, with this, all I care about is it being functional and flexible, I couldn't really care less about how neat it looks.

[@Savagetechie]

they should have put a usb A port on it.

[@kiyoshimatsutsuyu1931]

Attaching a laptop to a phone with 5G means that you can remote into PCs regardless of if there's Wi-Fi.... A laptop makes it possible to go anywhere in the world where your phone has service and essentially have a laptop. 😊

[@Atmatan_Kabbaher]

OP CrowPi?

[@camerongray1515]

Those were actually my initial plan before I found this. They'd work fine, however they cost more, would require a bit more hassle to break out the required cables to connect to an external machine and wouldn't be as nice an overall experience - No 2-in-1 flip around screen or single cable connection over USB-C. Although, if you can get a CrowPi cheap enough or already have one spare then it could definitely work!

[@Atmatan_Kabbaher]

@@camerongray1515 I have a CrowPi 2 as my main device and I _really_ love it. Even when it breaks into a million pieces, as long as I have an sbc that fits it I'll still be able to repair and use it in some way (praying we keep the pi4 form factor going forward). The CrowPi 1 and L are both not as cool as the 2, which has built in hardware for TONS of external and built in gpio devices. The only thing I'd change on it is the cheap plastic shell and the need for a raspberry pi: I need more power for running LLMs now and my pi4 isn't cutting it. The power setup is a little iffy too if you don't plan ahead but it's workable. I'm all about any type of modular cyber-thing-deck so keep up the cool work!

[@danagoyette7932]

Seriously, why do so many device manufacturers assume everyone likes tap-to-click, and give no option to disable it? I wonder how many people think they hate touchpads because they randomly click on stuff while typing, when what they really hate is tap-to-click, and they don't know it can be disabled? Or worse, devices where it CAN'T be disabled. I have a NexDock that I made the mistake of backing kickstarter on, where the touchpad is amazingly horrid, and it's even over Bluetooth. What a useless device!

[@Alpha8713]

I'd prefer physical buttons for the touch pad myself. i've never seen tap-to-click do anything useful for me...I always seem to get unwanted clicks.

[@emuhill]

@@Alpha8713For touchpad mice that will let you configure the double click speed, set it to around 250 to 300 miliseconds. That should help with the unwanted clicks.

[@davidew98]

NOW.... Find a way to connect to a serial device for serial console!

[@voltare2amstereo]

TTY -> HDMI? Arduino?

[@camerongray1515]

I did think about that but, while it would be nice, at that point I'd rather just use a laptop and gain the ability to copy and paste.etc.

[@AtreidaeChibiko]

What about VGA?

[@AtreidaeChibiko]

Ah I see he used a converter

[@chilledbroccoli899]

for the price of 4 laptops

[@hendra_joe_]

Bro, you sounds like northridge fix. I mean, your voice.

[@ToomsDotDk]

Seems expensive for what it can, i use an PiKVM V4 mini and that is much more useful as it can be used over network so i dont have to be next to the server and it is inlcuding virtual media mount like ISO as cdrom

[@camerongray1515]

The PiKVM is a great product but it serves a different purpose - it'd more of a remote IPKVM solution. I wanted something plug and play that I could use anywhere and as a bonus also use it as a portable monitor. A PiKVM would need a separate computer and some sort of network configuration.

[@jasejj]

​@@camerongray1515Isn't the PIKVM a bit pointless in most cases anyway - as the vast majority of servers have iLO/iDRAC/CIMC etc?

[@camerongray1515]

It's definitely a niche device because as you say, most servers do have some sort of built in IPMI interface. However, it is still a useful device for servers that don't such as those based around regular desktop hardware or for older servers where the IPMI controllers are outdated, insecure and probably rely on some sort of ancient Java applet for the KVM access that is unusable on any modern PC.

[@jasejj]

@@camerongray1515 That is fair comment, I'm approaching my comment from the wrong angle as I'm a network engineer for a service provider and only ever see the higher-end/newer DC stuff (and it's not even my area hence not remembering the generic IPMI term, ahem) - it's a different world in the field.

[@antoniog5374]

It is enough room there for 8x 3.7v, 5000mah phone battery. 2 series, 4 parallel resulting 20000mah @ 7.4v nominal, 8.4v fully charged. Be aware the lapdock need to power/charge the phone for long working time. 5000mah is a joke.

[@mohmmedc7010]

The bazels 😖😖

[@dudewithamood4673]

Never understood why someone would like to have something like this , if you want to connect your phone top a bigger screen , just buy a tablet this thing cost about 350$ , you can find a decent tablet at that price

[@camerongray1515]

I've never really understood the use case for using these with a phone either, however I bought this to use it as a portable KVM with things such as desktop PCs and servers, not the official "Lapdock" use case.

[@kylenorris9585]

O its not worth the $420 should have been more like $230

[@yereverluvinuncleber]

It is a terminal not a lapdock.

[@tek_soup]

your just now learning this? nexdock 360. i think i have had 2 years.

[@camerongray1515]

Sure these devices have been around for a while, however they're generally advertised as devices for use with smartphones which isn't something I'm particularly interested in nor really follow. I wanted to make a video looking at this as more of a KVM solution for use with desktop PCs and servers.

[@tek_soup]

i use it with my phone, and also as a mirrorless camera monitor, or control my mirrorless sony via the app, via dex. the hdmi input and usb c input. gonna preorder the new one cause its 120hz and other features.@@camerongray1515