Lapdock 101 (I Hope)

[BigRedGonzo]

OK, I bought one of the lapdocks when the VZW stores had them on sale for $49.99. I was excited when I got it because it was a new gadget. After charging it up and giving it a whirl, I thought well another dust collector for my shelf.

Can someone give me some guidance as to what to do with it? I like the feel of it and it sure looks slick, but I just don't see what advantages it brings. Come on - Somebody educate me!!

BigRedGonzo

 

[xmr405o]

The lapdock is what it is. It's a way for you to have a desktop experience. On .905 stock rom, Webtop 2.0 has a full version of Firefox. With that browser, you can access sites like Hulu to watch shows without buying an app or having to use a hacked version of flash. I know others love using scripts (or whatever they call it) but I don't.

Ummm that's about it. hahaha. You can use it to watch movies stored on your phone on a bigger screen or do some light word processing, excel etc for work/school.

If you don't do any of that stuff, well then yeah the lapdock will be just another accessory that will be used on a limited basis.

On the other hand....

If you've installed an ICS leak with Webtop 3.0, it's basically a tablet version of ICS without being able to use the touchscreen. Webtop 3.0 is really smooth with the lapdock, IMO. There are still quirks with some apps but all in all it's a pretty nice experience. I'm not sure if Webtop 3.0 will make you use the lapdock more but it's definitely smoother however you lose the Firefox browser which to me is a bummer.

Anyways, the lapdock isn't for everyone but heck for $49.99 it's not a bad accessory to have because it also charges your bionic. You bought a external screen, keyboard, trackpad and external battery charger for $50.

 

[Thom]

... and I find the navigation pad to be really lacking. I use it with a Microsoft wireless mouse with 5.9.905 and it is much more usable.

I have a sideshow on a website for one of my major project and I use it to display the sideshow at various meetings that I attend.

When I got my Bionic Verizon was selling these for $300 and I passed. It seemed absurd. Someone in this forum posted a deal in Florida for $80 ... it was my birthday ... I gave it a try. For $80 it isn't bad.

... Thom

 

[lewwill]

OK, I bought one of the lapdocks when the VZW stores had them on sale for $49.99. I was excited when I got it because it was a new gadget. After charging it up and giving it a whirl, I thought well another dust collector for my shelf.

Can someone give me some guidance as to what to do with it? I like the feel of it and it sure looks slick, but I just don't see what advantages it brings. Come on - Somebody educate me!!

BigRedGonzo

I just got a Lapdock 500, a lot more features but really a big bite out of the allowance the wife gives me. It requires ICS to use all of the features but I am waiting for the OTA and learning some of it's capabilities. Looks like it really will replace the laptop for short trips and take advantage of my unlimited data on the Bionic, something my LTE Xoom cannot. (1Gb plan there).
Lew

 

[Bankswood]

It is a real asset in my work. I sell products that need to be displayed on the net. I can't always depend on the buyer to have a good computer or internet connection for my demos so I take my Bionic and lapdock for the presentations. The only problem is getting the customer to focus on the presentation and stop askig questions about the phone and lapdock.

 

[johnlgalt]

So, the 100s and the 500s are compatible with the BIONIC?

 

[skilaufen]

The lapdock 100 and 500 are most definitely compatible with the bionic. The bionic lapdock will work with other phones like the razor also but you need to use extender cables to connect them.

 

[dukenilnil]

I really like the Lapdock (at the $50 price I paid). For me, it has replaced the desire to travel with a separate laptop. Having unlmited 4g, means I can hook my phone into the lapdock and have a near netbook like experience with free internet almost anywhere I go in the US. No more having to pay outrageous wifi fees at hotels or having to pay for wifi hotspot. A big selling point for me is the full firefox. I use add ons to block flash and scripts (except when I want them) which makes it run pretty smoothly. I also use an external mouse as I don't like the touchpad. I use the lapdock as a laptop versus the way I use my phone. For my phone, I use it for gaming, communication, etc. The laptop, I use it to compose longer messages, some word processing, and to use a fuller featured internet. I don't use the lapdock to play games or watch movies as the performance seems both a bit choppy and controls are wonky. But, that's not what I wanted. I wanted a portable laptop replacement and for me, it is that. It doesn't replace my laptop at home by any means, but at work or on the road, it's been awesome. My big fear is that it will be too phone like with ICS. I don't want a phone experience with a keyboard, I want something that mimics a laptop which it does for me. I am excited to hear that performance is smoother but will be prepared to go back to GB if its too phonelike. I also have ICS on my Xoom and have to say I honestly prefer Honeycomb on the Xoom. The only ICS feature I use is the swipe to remove apps, otherwise, performance has been a bit wonky on ICS versus buttery on Gingerbread.