Lapdock
{{Short description|Accessory which allows a mobile device to have a laptop user interface}}
File:Motorola Atrix Lapdock (1).jpg hooked up to its lapdock (one of the first ever produced)]]
A lapdock is a type of accessory designed to transform mobile devices, such as smartphones, into laptop-like computers by providing a display, keyboard, battery, and other essential components typically found in a laptop.{{cite web |last1=Killi |first1=Anand |title=What are Lapdocks and why you should get one |url=https://medium.com/techtouch/what-are-lapdocks-and-why-you-should-get-one-3db860f577e8 |website=Medium |date=10 July 2020 |access-date=10 October 2024}} Unlike laptops, lapdocks lack internal processing power, relying on the connected device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, or mini PC) for computation. Lapdocks are most commonly used with devices that support desktop-style operating modes, such as Samsung DeX and Windows Continuum, which was a feature on Windows 10.{{cite web |title=Continuum |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/device-experiences/continuum-phone |website=Microsoft |date=21 June 2022 |accessdate=2024-09-06}} The name lapdock is a portmanteau of laptop and dock, derived from docking station.
History
The concept of lapdocks emerged in the early 2010s with the growing desire to use smartphones for tasks traditionally performed on personal computers. One of the earliest and most notable implementations was the Motorola Atrix 4G in 2011, which could be paired with the Motorola Lapdock, allowing users to run a desktop-like environment when connected to the accessory. Although the Atrix received praise for its innovation, the lapdock failed to gain widespread adoption, partly due to the high cost of the accessory.{{cite web |last1=Gruman |first1=Galen |title=Test-driving the Motorola Atrix's Lapdock |url=https://www.infoworld.com/article/2277942/test-driving-the-motorola-atrix-s-lapdock.html |publisher=InfoWorld |access-date=10 October 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Linder |first1=Brad |title=RIP Motorola Lapdock (2011 – 2012) |url=https://liliputing.com/rip-motorola-lapdock-2011-2012/ |website=Liliputing |date=6 October 2012 |access-date=10 October 2024}}
Other companies, such as HP with its Elite X3, and Samsung with its DeX platform, further refined the lapdock concept. The Samsung DeX platform, for example, allowed compatible Galaxy smartphones to connect to an external monitor or lapdock and operate in a desktop-like mode.{{cite web |last1=Haines |first1=Ryan |title=Samsung DeX: Everything you need to know |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-dex-3156766/ |website=Android Authority |date=9 September 2024 |access-date=10 October 2024}}
Key features
Lapdocks typically include the following components:
- Display: Lapdocks are equipped with an integrated screen, typically ranging from 11 to 15 inches, similar to that of a laptop.
- Keyboard and Trackpad: Lapdocks feature a full-sized keyboard and a trackpad, providing a familiar laptop interface.
- Battery: Lapdocks often include a built-in battery that powers the display and may charge the connected mobile device while in use.
- Ports and Connectivity: Lapdocks typically provide USB, HDMI, and other ports for connecting peripherals like a mouse, keyboard, or storage devices.
Unlike traditional laptops, a lapdock cannot function independently without being connected to a compatible device, which supplies the processing power and software.{{cite web |title=How to Turn Your Phone Into a PC Using a Lapdock |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/how-to-turn-your-phone-into-a-pc-using-a-lapdock/ |website=HowToGeek |date=26 November 2023 |accessdate=2024-10-10}}
Notable examples
- The Motorola Atrix 4G offered one of the earliest lapdock options, released in 2011. While innovative, it faced commercial challenges and was discontinued.{{cite web |last1=Stein |first1=Scott |title=How does the Motorola Atrix 4G Lapdock compare with a laptop? |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/how-does-the-motorola-atrix-4g-lapdock-compare-with-a-laptop/ |website=CNET |access-date=10 October 2024}}
- The HP Elite X3 lapdock was released in 2016, and was designed to work with the Windows 10 Continuum feature.{{cite web |last1=Rubino |first1=Daniel |title=HP Lap Dock review: the Elite x3 gets a laptop mode, but is the tech ready yet? |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/hp-lap-dock-review |website=Windows Central |date=29 November 2016 |access-date=10 October 2024}}
- The Samsung DeX platform, introduced in 2017, allows Galaxy smartphones to provide a desktop experience when connected to a monitor, including compatibility with third-party lapdocks.{{cite web |last1=Beavis |first1=Gareth |title=Hands on: Samsung Dex review |url=https://www.techradar.com/reviews/samsung-dex |website=Tech Radar |date=30 March 2017 |access-date=10 October 2024}}