Raspberry Pi Laptop with Atrix 4G Dock

We found this post in the Raspberry Pi forums and wanted to make a tutorial for this easy way to make a Raspberry Pi laptop using the Atrix 4G dock: www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/vie...
Check out Adafruit's many Raspberry Pi tutorials and accessories: adafruit.com/rasperrypi
More info on the cables and adapters used to make this project here:
www.adafruit.com/blog/2012/09/...
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[@lazyweapons]

Great, now the value of motorola Lapdocks have risen, to the extent that ebayers are marketing them for rasberry pi use only...

[@adafruit]

Thanks Drew! We linked to your forum post in our blog post about the cables and adapters used (new link added to description)

[@WiseguyKevIn2]

OMG Can't wait just ordered my laptop dock and the new Raspberry Pi along with all the goodies!! You Rock!!!

[@ShipwreckTeapot]

What a clever setup. Thank you for sharing!

[@RallenXai]

I don't have a RasPi yet, only because every time I look at what people have done with their own Pi's I get intensely jealous, and this is one of those times. This is definitely going to be one of my, if not, the very first project. Which means I'll probably be getting 4 or 5 Pi's... Great video, clear instructions, and please: stay awesome!

[@adafruit]

There's a link in the description to the adafruit blog post containing more info about where to get the cables/adapters. The F-F micro HDMI coupler came from China via eBay, we couldn't find a US distributor.

[@raykiii]

Hey Adafruit, Got my WiFi USB Adapter (814) yesterday. Watched one tutorial and presto my Pi Model A is on the web. I really enjoy your videos like this one and am enjoying the quality merchandise you stock. Win/Win! Next project I'm doing one of these lap tops for all my kids. LOL This Pi fever is catching. Thanks again.

[@ColeslawProd]

I just got my laptop dock. Now I need the Raspberry Pi and adapters. I'm so excited! :D

[@adafruit]

Cool, thanks for the tip!

[@aot2002]

Your soldering skills rock. I'm impressed.

[@TamilLatest]

I hope you'll do more rasberry pi videos, this thing is awesome!

[@VaultTecAi]

Idk how to solder or do much with the raspberry pi but I've been really getting into electronics and computers definitely going to give this project a try as I'd love to have a cheap portable linux machine.

[@jrcharney]

Hey girls and boys, it's your friendly neighborhood Hacktop King, Jason Charney here to let you know you DO NOT and most definitely SHOULD NOT solder your two power wires together like this video proposes. It is a great way to kill the life on your Raspberry Pi. This video was definitely designed for back when before there were five USB ports on the Raspberry Pi. But since the Pi B+, the consensus is that you use two ports for power. The microUSB for your main power which plugs in to the one of the two USB ports on the rear of the Atrix Lapdock, and an auxilary power that also provides the interaction between the lapdock keyboard and mouse that plugs into one of the four USB plugs on the PI and the male microUSB on the Lapdock. And as usual, if soldering is not your strong suit, or if you're the kid whose mom won't let you play with your dad's tools, you can always go to eBay and search for some rare cables there, and sadly you may have to get them from China, which means you will have to wait. (To the folks who sell stuff from China to other, do us a solid and have some place in the other countries where you have stuff available to ship. It's why Amazon is so successful.) Have fun with your new computer.

[@miigs9499]

thanks dude

[@stefaniefries4326]

Works perfectly with my lapdock! Thanks so much!

[@JoelCardinal]

Thank you so much for this video, I was able to get everything working last night!

[@haggardphoenix]

Cool project! Was my first time soldering cables. Rasdock is working like a charm. Note to self, however, heat from a soldering iron can shrink your heat shrink tubing if you don't expose enough cable. :)

[@DrewFustini]

A tip for those with “fresher” Raspberry Pi’s: if you don’t have the F1/F2 polyfuses, then no USB cable modifications are needed. You can just plug and play. Details of my setup are on element14 under user 'fustini'

[@adafruit]

It's the Pibow, available through Adafruit! There's a video about it our channel too. =]

[@anthonyberkeley3502]

I am deff going to pick one of these up

[@Loafy23]

Excellent video, thanks for the info and DIY.

[@jerikaleizlellorin877]

This is cool and easy, also your presentation motivates me to create one like this raspi laptop :D

[@kevinbarton9052]

Great. That also makes a great MAME arcade laptop as a suggestion for me.

[@FLT1979]

Could you do a video showing how to install the new Pi Zero W inside the Atrix Lapdock?

[@anachronisticthings6816]

I did this using a different model of lapdock and a pi zero stuffed inside. The cables run out of the inside to the connectors. Had a lot of trouble getting it to start reliably powered over the OTG connection, so I ran some wires from the internal battery to a 12v usb phone charge and ran a short usb cable from that to the dedicated power connector. I added a switch so i can directly turn the pi on and off independent of the lapdock. This seems to have solved my startup problems.

[@edstercw]

man i hav an Atrix, early dualcore phone. Motorola was so excited they tried to sell it with the 'lapdock' like a sortof Chromebook yet at double the price of a functional netbook it never caught on. nice to see it getting a new lease of life

[@terryr.1243]

Look at the HP V8H07UT Elite X3 Lap Dock. Rather than all the soldering for special parts, this model seems to ALREADY have STANDARD USB and micro HDMI connections.

[@yandan8]

I was able to get this to work without splitting the USB cable. Just run a single USB cable (power and data) from the dock's micro USB to one of the Pi's full-size USB ports.

[@FrankKlawuhn]

So did I. And the Atrix 4G delivers enough power to run an Edimax Wireless nano USB Adapter. I attached the Raspberry Pi with some Velcro to the back of the Atrix and now its complete mobile to surf on the Couch :)

[@l3p3]

This is such a GREAT idea!

[@SeyavashBit]

Thanks it was a great and ingenuous idea!

[@DartecTube]

This is a fantastic video and idea thank you very much.

[@RiedegDesign]

Krasse Idee ... ein Rasparry Pi Laptop :) Good Idea and a great Work :)

[@yongamer]

I remember I was melting copper onto copper wires in highschool. After that, my nose felt a little bit rusty, or at least I suspected that I had inhaled some of the copper into my nose. So I was wondering if it is recommended to use something to cover our nose, or whether it might have been something else?

[@SuperCacahuete93]

Superbe idée !

[@DeathpunkDislyteHighlyte]

Very informative..... I like your presentation skills.... keep up the good work! :D

[@rysk9226]

Hii, can I use a new Kingdel mini pc, with this atrix laptop? jus like you did, using its screen, keyboard... but running a mini pc. I mean you put a other similiar device, with similar connections I gues..

[@TJackSurvival]

Ok that was very cool! Thanks!

[@MrFixit-wm8vc]

just ordered my kit!

[@copycatshinobi6920]

how is that keyboard connected to that rpi? one more thing by the way, what's the input amperage that the doc supplies to the rpi?

[@AzmanExploreLearn]

Great video, love it, thanksssss

[@drkcodeman]

This has changed since Revision 2 of the board... The resetable fuses protecting the USB outputs have been removed. This feature was implemented on some later revision 1.0 PCBs by replacing the fuses with links; revision 2.0 permanently implements this modification. It is now possible to reliably power the RPI from a USB hub that back feeds power, but it is important that the chosen hub cannot supply more than 2.5A under fault conditions. You can tell what version you have by cat /proc/cpuinfo

[@Raku777]

Brilliant...would you consider selling the modded cable?

[@grantpezzolesi1636]

is there any way to make the speakers of the lapdock work with the raspberry pi

[@WiseguyKevIn2]

I just noticed What key do you press to boot? any key? or NE key? Havent got mine yet shopuld be out for delivery tomorrow...Still have to wait for cables LOL

[@ThePs1013]

why do you need to slice the usb cable and connect the power to the micro usb port and the data cable to the normal usb port? in other videos they just connect usb and hdmi without soldering and it works as well.

[@bonilla2022]

Great build info ! Thanks! 8-)

[@KrishnaO]

So many different projects, but this one has been my favorite so far. I just gotta find someone to help me solder things xD I dont feel like burning the house down ^^

[@HappyCheeze]

Have you done any further work on it to keep the pi attached to the back with minimal wires poking out?

[@adafruit]

Search "usb wifi module" on the Adafruit site, we carry three types =]

[@carolmurray123]

Having trouble with this. I can get the screen to work, but not the keyboard/mouse. I get error codes about a low power USB device. The only thing I can think of that I did differently is that I didn't solder the extra foil and outer case wires together, I just cut them off. Does that make a difference? BTW I'm using the matrix lapdock with a pi2B and a B+, same problem with both Pis.

[@rabbitdrink]

You can also use this with anything that uses hdmi for video and USB for keyboard and mouse

[@momingmail]

OK, great video. The only Question left is, Wht is your solution for wifi internet connection after installing to the laptop, it won't stop me buying the lapdock anyway as a need a monitor?

[@exakelgaming]

i like the concept though it would be nicer to see a version of this mod that looks less messy: maybe a 3d printed tray at the bottom that hides the pi and cabling as well as a bit of modding directly to dock.

[@gunnerferand6588]

I was wondering why couldn't you put the red and black power wires from the usb cable to the others instead of cutting them since a usb does need power and wouldn't you then be able to use the provided usb ports on the computer dock?

[@ImSEOKing]

Frankenstein cable love that term!

[@FedericoLucifredi0xF2]

You can also do this without splicing at all - I built mine pulling power from the USB A connectors on the lapdock.

[@jeffclarke3603]

Thanks great video.

[@WatchingDragon]

WIl this work for the newer Raspberry Pi 2 units?

[@ithinkitssimon]

I'm assuming this would work equally well on the Cubieboard? Thanks for the idea :)

[@TheBendi12]

you need more practice with soldering, but the idea and is awesome! really good job!

[@adafruit]

You can use the shaft of your soldering iron to shrink the tubing, yes, but it's not great for your soldering iron! We like to "use the right tool for the job" whenever possible =]

[@johnathon9056]

QUESTION - Can i bring this on a plane without the TSA Thinking its a fucking bomb?

[@tyetherton5886]

No

[@philbeck6]

+johnathon blowe If you are Arab you can and then you can sue them for $15m

[@johnathon9056]

Lol. i'm white-er than the sun. not a chance in hell that could happen

[@amrojjeh]

+johnathon blowe put it in a suitcase and then in another suitcase until it's so thick an x-ray can't detect it...lets hope at least

[@johnathon9056]

Ok then

[@novamaster0]

I'm curious how the dock looks inside and if there'd be anyway to mount the Pi inside and snip a small hole for the wires.

[@RandallStevenson]

genious, pure genious

[@adafruit]

The SD card?

[@adhdmi1843]

I have red black yellow and grey wires. witch of the yellow or grey are green

[@LesKing72]

I want to build one of these (with a shorter HDMI cable, maybe) and use it in college.

[@runman1271]

The ring in the nose, is it used to lead her around like you would a bull?

[@arunkanda6374]

what is that case you got on you rpi i like it and want to get it

[@willsymonds4959]

Can you buy cables that do this without soldering?

[@JaewonJin]

Quick question. Does the raspberry pi get powered through the lapdock or do you need an ac adapter for it as well? Thanks in advance!

[@MrDiablosRojas]

Do you think I could use the Motorola Razr Lapdock 100 instead?

[@guilhermevieira4169]

Does anyone knows how it goes on B+/2 version since they need more power?

[@QuinnNguyen]

Is it safe to charge the lapdock with the raspberry pi still on and connected?

[@ProjectMXZ]

Is there an easier way to do this without soldering? And will the droid bionic lapdock work the same way? (I've been informed that the connectors are just flipped)

[@DartecTube]

Same here I have mine but waiting for the cables from ebay so tried it with a micro usb but no lights etc although cable works. So as said looks like need it all fully connected. Phew!

[@MrMeat1973]

best r pi vid ive seen...but only found out wot rpi is ten mins ago

[@NaoPb]

I like the idea. But I do have a question about your soldering and use of the heat shrinking thingie (I'm not sure what it's called in english). Why not just use the soldering iron to make it shrink? If it's just the heat you need, that should work fine as well. And save you on lighter liquid :) .

[@patlerouge985]

It seems for Master/Slave connection between 2 devices. (Polarity make difference with Master or Slave) Less unconnect.

[@MarkBurfeind]

this is awesome!

[@Fkidd702]

could i use this with a mini pc like the kagaroo mini pc if i get all the adapter cables?

[@turkey2522]

Yes

[@TheDavidDailey]

Because doing things out of the ordinary is a fun learning experience.

[@sjbdude101]

How Did The Mouse And Keyboard Work It Was Only In The HDMI Jack And Power Solt

[@NaoPb]

Such a fast reply. This is great :) . And thanks for explaining. I guess I'll use a lighter then too. Good thing I don't smoke and still have a lot of lighters laying around :) .

[@valveman12]

With the new pi zero 2w, this could make a nice travel laptop.

[@Milan5605]

and version - put rpi inside?I have broken notebook - How i connect - display,keyboard,repro,battery??

[@MichaelTaylor-pg5vs]

Adafruit Industries do you ship parts to the UK? I'd really like to make a lot of the projects.

[@Noname7401]

There is a headphone jack on the back of the Atrix 4G dock will it work if i do this with a MK802 IIIS?

[@karnaudM]

i did everything you said but i can get the pad and the keyboard to work. from the regular USB 1- i connected the green and the white to the micro USB female(the one that goes to the Atrix) 2- i connected the black and the red to the micro usb male(to provide power to pi) so what did i do wrong? Also the regular usb that i used was cut from a mini usb so it does have more than 4 colors. it has 5 colors (blue, red, black, white and green) any help? or suggestion?

[@mustaphaejjayah520]

Hi, is there any way to connect RP with computer hp

[@ElieAzar]

Great video!!

[@antonioqb]

are there any bigger laptops this can be done with? I like a big screen

[@dooin180]

can this hook up to a regular new laptop just with out using the built in keybord on the laptop? and would it be the same to hook it up that way to a regular monater? (i totaly forgot how to spell that)

[@JoRosieQueen68]

I wanna use one of those lapdocks with my future phone,or with a compute stick,it will be cool!!

[@JoRosieQueen68]

JosephKing75 CBP Galaxy Note 4 + Ubuntu for Android + Motorola Atrix Lapdock =equals= the best portable setup.

[@Chalky.]

Not sure that'll work though because you'll have to output video through MHL adapter and with that you can't connect the keyboard and trackpad.

[@MrBiky]

JosephKing75 CBP You'd be better with an ordinary convergence enabled Ubuntu phone (also, there might be some new docks coming out with "compatibility" in mind - since there will be a shit-ton of models with different sizes and ports placed in different slots, so somebody will make something like an "universal phone holder" and wires for different ports, not just slide-in docks). I'd rather like a docking laptop with bluetooth keyboard and mouse that are connected to the same battery pack that will charge the phone and power the display and the phones should have a micro HDMI (type D) connector, NOT MHL. (the "universal phone holder" should be inside the dock, like in Motorola Atrix).

[@magnnoo]

I liked this idea so i went with it. small issue, i dont seem to be getting the correct voltage from the atrix dock micro usb plug, its .02-.04 volts... i thought it was supost to power the PI, so 5 volts?, is my dock bad? dock plugged in BTW

[@ShawnChristopher10101]

Is it possible that a Raspberry Pi device can be built and sold to interface with the dock? I can see implementations like this getting some nice marketshare.

[@MikeVartanian]

Thanks for the video. Any suggestions if I have no HDMI on the Atrix monitor?

[@billyjoeface]

Did your port break? Or is it a different dock?

[@MikeVartanian]

billyjoeface I don't believe my port broke. I tried it with a 4G dock and a 2G dock. I think my HDMI cable might not by "Type D". I seem to remember a few posts indicating that the HDMI cable had to be of a certain type. I think my cable is Type A and I need Type D... Or vice versa... I ordered a Type D and a Type A and will check with both.

[@jrsmile]

Got mine a month ago, was afraid it didn't work as nothing lights up until you add the hdmi source. Wasn't able to get the internal keyb and touchpad working too. Maybe because of to cheep cabling. But the hdmi is great even for beaglebone and other embedded stuff.

[@crzren]

wonder if you can just put a pi zero into one of those :P

[@TobaTobias]

Hi guys! Great project, I'm going to but the screen, just wondering; Is there somewhere where I can buy this frankestien cable? I love DIY, but I prefer a still thing.

[@jwstout007]

But in all seriousness, what do you think it would take to fit a proper housing so that the RPi would dock on the back much like the discontinued phone?