It’s probably something like a Nexdock or similar. I’ve got one from Dopesplay for example - Easier if you look it up, but basically it’s a laptop with no brains that just acts as a dock for other devices
Comment on Any desktop-mode tips for a new Steam Deck owner?
Quibblekrust@thelemmy.club 6 days ago
Can you explain this lapdock setup you’re talking about?
Hexarei@beehaw.org 6 days ago
TeddE@lemmy.world 6 days ago
It’s a hybrid between a laptop and a USB hub. Takes the monitor and keyboard of a laptop and makes them connect by USB to usually a phone, but here the Steam Deck.
Quibblekrust@thelemmy.club 6 days ago
Oh, so it’s like a portable monitor with a keyboard attached to it? I had no idea these were a thing.
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NeatNit@discuss.tchncs.de 6 days ago
Precisely! I like to describe it as: a portable external monitor, in the shape of a laptop, with a built-in keyboard and trackpad.
Many Android phones support a desktop mode when connected to an external monitor. Most notably Samsung’s higher-end phones, and they call this feature Samsung DeX. Lapdocks are perfect to make use of this functionality.
NexDock is a more reputable brand that makes high-quality lapdocks. Uperfect is another, but I get the feeling they don’t care as much about making good usable products, and instead just want to maximize their specs for marketability.
ELECROW, I never heard of before and it looks like chinesium, but it’s the only lapdock I found that actually ships to me so that’s what I ordered. Should arrive in a couple of weeks.
TeddE@lemmy.world 6 days ago
I wanted to get a Linux phone and a lapdock. Would give me one device that I could keep personal stuff on, but turn into a full workstation when needed. (But Linux phones are still very much a work in progress)