Lapdock Kit#
Overview#
The Lapdock kit, enables the use of a phone such as a Librem 5 or Liberty Phone into a PureOS laptop. While your Librem 5 is fully able to run desktop apps on its own, USB-C connectivity with the Lapdock offers significantly increased screen space, spare battery capacity, and additional input and output ports.
The Lapdock offers a USB-C with an adapter to a full-sized USB, allowing you to attach just about any USB device to your phone.
Librem 5 + lapdock running CubicSDR with a HackRF#
You also get an extra Micro USB slot and a headphone jack.
The Lapdock includes a large internal battery, keeping your phone topped off while connected.
Initial setup#
Once you receive your Lapdock kit, you’ll need to attach the mount to your phone and Lapdock.
First, stick the circular coin-shaped part to the back of your phone.
Next, line up your mount over your Lapdock and phone.
Mounting the bracket higher on the frame will allow a phone to flip into tablet mode, but it will be less balanced while being used as a laptop. Therefore, a higher installation point is better if you plan to use tablet mode most often; A lower mounting point offers good balance and still works well as a tablet if you plan to primarily use laptop mode.
Using the Lapdock#
Once ready to use the Lapdock, press the power button to wake up the docking device. You will be able to edit the Lapdock settings by swiping with two fingers where indicated.
Here, you can adjust volume and brightness and check the Lapdock power level.
With the dock powered on, plug in your phone and attach it to your mount.
To use both the onboard touch screen and Lapdock touch screen, open Mobile Settings, select convergence, and enable Map built-in touch screen.
While holding the function key <kbd>Fn</kbd>, you can disable or enable the mouse pad, quickly check the Lapdock battery, and adjust the onboard speakers, brightness, and keyboard backlight. You can also control media playback and take a screenshot.
With the Lapdock attached, adaptable apps will expand to utilize the screen. For example, the file browser works on a small screen, but advanced file management becomes a breeze with a mouse and keyboard. To right-click, simply press the right side of the keypad or tap with two fingers.
Unadapted apps can be a challenge to run on the go. You can use mobile settings to force apps to resize.
But using a Lapdock makes apps built for a desktop feel at home.
Multi-taskers can run lots of apps on the Librem 5, but with a Lapdock, you can organize them side by side by pressing Super + left or right.
To make a window full-screen Press Super + Up.
And to swap which screen an app runs on, press shift-Super-left/right.
Get the most out of your mobile computer phone, by turning it into a laptop when you need to.