NexDock 2 Turns Your Smartphone Into a Laptop

What computer do you use the most when you’re not at work? If you’re like most people, it isn’t a desktop or even a laptop, it’s your smartphone. That makes sense given how powerful smartphones are these days, and that they can do virtually everything an actual computer can do. The only thing holding you back from ditching your laptop entirely is likely your smartphone’s small screen and lack of keyboard, but the new NexDock 2 gives you those and turns your smartphone into a laptop.

NexDock 2 recently launched on Kickstarter, and has already reached nearly three times its funding goal. It resembles an ultra-portable laptop, but doesn’t actually have a processor, RAM, or hard drive. It’s really just a screen, keyboard, and battery housed within the familiar laptop form factor. When you plug your smartphone into the NexDock 2, its processor is used for all of the computing you’ll do.

For the time being, NexDock 2 only works with smartphones that have a “desktop mode,” which is only available on Samsung and Huawei devices. But, that’s a feature that will likely be implemented by other manufacturers in the future. NexDock 2 is also compatible with single-board computers like the Raspberry Pi, and there are plans to potentially develop “compute sticks” that turn the NexDock 2 into a laptop.

The NexDock 2’s screen is a 13.3" IPS LCD with a full-HD resolution of 1920x1080. The keyboard is a full-size QWERTY layout, and there is a multi-touch trackpad. Audio output is through four 1W speakers, and there are the standard USB, HDMI, and headphone jacks. It has a 38 Wh battery, but the battery life isn’t specified. It measures 15.9 mm thick, and weighs 1420g.

If you want a NexDock 2, the Kickstarter campaign will be running until April 20th. Early birds can get one NexDock 2 for $199, and the expected retail price is $279. Rewards should be delivered to backers in September.