Accessories dock = meh?

[postcyberpunk]

I was originally very excited about the Astrix's docking ability. But the more I think about it, the less useful it seems. Why would I want to use my phone as a full out PC?

Think about it this way. I already have a powerful laptop and a powerful phone. The Astrix can't actually replace the laptop. Would it run MS Office? Would it play Starcraft II? Also, the benefit of having all of your data saved on one device is not really as great as it seems. Google and its competitors are rapidly developing the infrastructure for "cloud computing." I can already access my files that are saved in the cloud from any device.

So what is the advantage of the Astrix's laptop dock? I imagine the dock is just a useless shell except when the phone is plugged into it. Why wouldn't I just use my laptop instead?

 

[AndreaCristiano]

I was originally very excited about the Astrix's docking ability. But the more I think about it, the less useful it seems. Why would I want to use my phone as a full out PC?

Think about it this way. I already have a powerful laptop and a powerful phone. The Astrix can't actually replace the laptop. Would it run MS Office? Would it play Starcraft II? Also, the benefit of having all of your data saved on one device is not really as great as it seems. Google and its competitors are rapidly developing the infrastructure for "cloud computing." I can already access my files that are saved in the cloud from any device.

So what is the advantage of the Astrix's laptop dock? I imagine the dock is just a useless shell except when the phone is plugged into it. Why wouldn't I just use my laptop instead?

There are a good chunk of us who agree with you and we are getting other phones me the Inspire others the infuse. While others see the need for these docks and they will get the Atrix thats why there are many phone releases. Different strokes different folks

 

[DT]

I'm intending on getting an Atrix and not a dock. It's not like you _have_ to buy anything else, as just a stand-alone device, it appears to be pretty stellar.

 

[prjctchris]

I find that most of my time spent using my desktop computers (aside from picture and video editing) is within the browser. The Webtop UI really isn't a full on a desktop. It's mostly a Linux desktop Firefox browser with the phone OS and shortcuts (at least from what we have seen so far). Most non-nerds I know could do almost their entire computer needs within a browser and being able to own a phone that can be a mobile OS and desktop browser with a laptop shell would be great for them.

The Atrix laptop dock would have been absolutely killer for me when I was in college.

 

[vinay427]

Same here (as prjctchris). I might get the HD dock for watching movies, but other than that I like the Atrix because it's more future proof than the other Android phones out now due to the processor and the RAM. I love the high-res display, too.

 

[irishtexmex]

So what is the advantage of the Astrix's laptop dock? I imagine the dock is just a useless shell except when the phone is plugged into it. Why wouldn't I just use my laptop instead?

Because I play starcraft/watch movies/run the adobe suite on my multimedia workhorse of a laptop with a nice 16" 1080p screen. I'm not tech-whoring, I just think it's pertinent to know that I'm not waltzing around with some 14" super portable laptop that gets 4 hours of battery life. I use my computer ALL THE TIME and the battery is only working at about 80% of its factory state (yes, I know, get a new one etc etc. -_-), but even with a brand new battery I'll top out at 2:20 tops.

This laptop portable is purported to have 8~ hours of battery life in a package 14 mm thin. When you tote around a huge backpack full of college textbooks those space savings are really noticed. I would never play Starcraft or do any imaging work outside of my room anyway, so I have no need to tote my big laptop around everywhere I go. And if I do want to do that, I have the option to do so. But a large majority of my time is spent on the internet, and for that, this laptop is perfect.

Think of it as a Macbook Air that can only surf the web (before XDA gets a hold of it) and has an always-on 4g internet connection that gets 8~ hours of battery life. It is not a laptop replacement.

 

[DT]

I love the high-res display, too.

That bump in resolution is outstanding. The iP4 display is _fantastic_, partially due to the PPI, so I'm glad to see some Android devices moving in that direction.

I used to be a huge fan of the SAMOLED on my Captivate, but honestly, with the pentile matrix and slightly overblown saturation, I'm of the opinion that LCD tech can be implemented with outstanding results (again, see iP4).

 

[Vihzel]

It's meant to replace a netbook, not a laptop... as evidenced by the 11" screen. It can run MS Office because of Citrix. It's kind of like a $150 netbook I guess. This is definitely NOT supposed to replace a laptop that can play Starcraft 2.

If you have no use for the dock, then it's not for you.

 

[Rastor]

I used to be a huge fan of the SAMOLED on my Captivate, but honestly, with the pentile matrix and slightly overblown saturation, I'm of the opinion that LCD tech can be implemented with outstanding results (again, see iP4).

The Atrix screen has a pentile matrix (though with a different layout than the one on the Captivate)...

 

[AvengerBB]

I'm not planning on getting the laptop dock either, at least until I see it in action, see the price, etc. My feeling on the dock is that it's a "wow" feature that sets it apart, but that not many will get one. The multimedia dock however, sounds cool.

This doesn't detract from the fact that it's am amazing stand alone phone though. Would you not buy a certain model car because it has an optional feature that you don't like? Choices are great.

 

[sn0pzer]

I was originally very excited about the Astrix's docking ability. But the more I think about it, the less useful it seems. Why would I want to use my phone as a full out PC?

Think about it this way. I already have a powerful laptop and a powerful phone. The Astrix can't actually replace the laptop. Would it run MS Office? Would it play Starcraft II? Also, the benefit of having all of your data saved on one device is not really as great as it seems. Google and its competitors are rapidly developing the infrastructure for "cloud computing." I can already access my files that are saved in the cloud from any device.

So what is the advantage of the Astrix's laptop dock? I imagine the dock is just a useless shell except when the phone is plugged into it. Why wouldn't I just use my laptop instead?

1. It's called the Atrix, not Astrix

2. Yes you could run MS Office with the built-in Citrix Receiver (not sure about Starcraft II though).

3. If you don't want the Laptop Dock there's also the HD Multimedia Dock, which can be plugged in to any screen.

 

[ROCer]

I'm buying the Atrix for the device itself. The laptop dock is just an accessory that I may or may not get.

 

[DT]

The Atrix screen has a pentile matrix (though with a different layout than the one on the Captivate)...

Yep, and the different structure makes a huge difference (there's an outstanding post in this sub-forum on that very subject).

 

[vinay427]

That bump in resolution is outstanding. The iP4 display is _fantastic_, partially due to the PPI, so I'm glad to see some Android devices moving in that direction.

I used to be a huge fan of the SAMOLED on my Captivate, but honestly, with the pentile matrix and slightly overblown saturation, I'm of the opinion that LCD tech can be implemented with outstanding results (again, see iP4).

Yeah, the iP4 display is outstanding. I don't own an iP4 or iPod Touch 4G but when I look at the display in normal use I can't see any rough edges in the text. It's quite useful on a mobile device to view web pages designed for desktops on a small display without zooming in a lot.

 

[atlbuc]

You guys are killing me with this I'm not buying the dock because I can't play Starcraft II or watch silverlight videos or because I already have a high powered laptop. This is not intended to replace your 2.6 GHz 8GB ram Alienware laptop. Again this is not intended to replace your laptop. One advantage is that it can potentially replace your netbook or your iPad. Advantage is to give you a bigger screen to look at while browsing or watching movies and vids. Advantage is to connect to your work laptop or computer without actually having to carry it with you. If you don't want it don't buy it but it will be useful for those that want it.

 

[Vihzel]

At this price point... it's fantastic. Now if it was $300-$400, that would be a real stretch and not really enticing. At $150, that is cheaper than 16gb iPod Nano as a price reference.

 

[atlbuc]

At this price point... it's fantastic. Now if it was $300-$400, that would be a real stretch and not really enticing. At $150, that is cheaper than 16gb iPod Nano as a price reference.

I agree totally, even if there were no dock solutions I would still get the phone

 

[DT]

Not buying this phone because you don't want the dock is like not buying a Porsche because you don't want FM radio.

 

[Chapp1e]

Not buying this phone because you don't want the dock is like not buying a Porsche because you don't want FM radio.

lol, it's slightly different... besides, you can order Porsche's with no radio.

In all seriousness though, the docks to me are pretty much a novelty that'd I'd use once or twice but not enough to make it worth it.

 

[Kurakka]

As a person who works at a company with high security networks, I spend a lot of time web surfing on my phone because the networks have blocked lots of content due to potential security risks. The dock solution is great for me. It alows me to not have to deal with teathering my phone to my crappy laptop and instead just have a solution that does what I want.

Just my 2 pennies.

 

[Kopsis]

Again this is not intended to replace your laptop. One advantage is that it can potentially replace your netbook or your iPad.

Yes, but I don't have either of those devices for the same reason that I can't see myself getting the Atrix dock. If I'm going to carry a digital device that doesn't fit in my pocket, it might as well be a *real* laptop. An ultralight laptop can pack a 1.8 GHz Core 2 Duo, 8 GB of RAM, a 200 GB HD, and 9 hours of battery life into a package that weighs 3 lbs or less. Everyone's different, but in my digital life, the niche between phone and laptop is just isn't there.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still leaning toward the Atrix because as a "normal" smartphone, it looks mighty hard to beat (thank you Motorola for putting in a huge battery!).

 

[atlbuc]

Yes, but I don't have either of those devices for the same reason that I can't see myself getting the Atrix dock. If I'm going to carry a digital device that doesn't fit in my pocket, it might as well be a *real* laptop. An ultralight laptop can pack a 1.8 GHz Core 2 Duo, 8 GB of RAM, a 200 GB HD, and 9 hours of battery life into a package that weighs 3 lbs or less. Everyone's different, but in my digital life, the niche between phone and laptop is just isn't there.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still leaning toward the Atrix because as a "normal" smartphone, it looks mighty hard to beat (thank you Motorola for putting in a huge battery!).

Well then I don't understand this discussion, the laptop dock simply isn't for you. For me it will serve its purpose of a larger screen to perform task and web browsing. If I need to edit a document then I'll use Google Docs but I'm buying this knowing that its not going to replace my laptop or desktop. Basically its an extension of my phone and will be just what I need. Better web browsing than my iPad with dektop quality FireFox.

 

[Vihzel]

Everyone keep in mind that it's ONLY $150 and with an 11" screen. Keep that in mind before comparing to netbooks, tablets, laptops, and so forth. It's the cost of a 16GB mp3 player. Unless that super lightweight laptop costs that much and I'm sure it doesn't... it's really not fair to compare it that way. I just don't really understand people trying to compare this to something that can play full-fledged computer games when it's not built to play them in the first place.

 

[colnago]

As a person who works at a company with high security networks, I spend a lot of time web surfing on my phone because the networks have blocked lots of content due to potential security risks. The dock solution is great for me. It alows me to not have to deal with teathering my phone to my crappy laptop and instead just have a solution that does what I want.

Just my 2 pennies.

We are left to fend for ourselves at work for internet, and even though I got an 17" iCore3 for $379 (Hooray Staples sale + HP $100 trade-in program), had I not come across that deal, the Atrix and laptop dock would be ideal for my light surfing/investment monitoring at work. Google Docs and or DocsToGo will fill the void on any Office needs.

My girl is about to move to an apartment with WiFi throughout the building. All she does is web surf, check web based email from work, and Word/Excel docs. Being that she has no laptop or PC, and is eligible for an upgrade, the Atrix/laptop dock will be a decent, low cost (hopefully) solution for her, given that she hates web browsing on her e71x. The laptop dock would allow her to not have to spend $ on Comcast/Verizon, and also stay in the apartment, rather than trek down to the WiFi lounge for access.

Though not for everyone, I'm sure it has its fans.

 

[jroc]

^Great example of a use for the laptop dock.

Think about the ppl that dont even have a netbook, laptop or tablet... and like the post above, a PC. I know its shocking, but some ppl dont have any of those things. lol

Thats where the laptop dock comes in big....