[{"element_type":"user_image","content":"https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/user_assets/assets/000/001/153/original/20240901_195026a.jpg?1725235020","metadata":{"caption":""}},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n        \u003ch2\u003eRock an Old Atrix Screen/Keyboard/Trackpad Dock Like It's 2012\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBack in 2012, folks were getting their first Raspberry Pi single board computers. They initially used a monitor or television, a USB keyboard and a USB mouse, most often items they might of had around the house. This worked fine but it was far from portable. Folks wanted something a bit more laptop-like to develop on the go.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnter surplus Motorola gear. Motorola made the Atrix line of cell/mobile phones they marketed as dual use as portable phone and computer. To make it a computer, you used a dock which looked like a laptop but had no processor, only USB and HDMI connections. Such docks were being sold wholesale at $60 each.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFolks used a combination of Far Eastern cables and adapters to connect the micro connections on the dock to the full size connectors on the Pi. As you can see below, two adapters and three cables were used. Some guides talked about splicing cables. Here is one guide from\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.instructables.com/The-Raspberry-Pi-Lapdock-Connection/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eInstructables\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe setup worked faily well. Most often the adapters to the Atrix were too big, so some filing of the plastic was needed to get the cables to go on without interferring with each other. It was a slick setup but it could be fragile.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver time, most folks moved on from using this solution as the Atrix dock supply dried up and new Pi models came along.\u003c/p\u003e\n      \n\n\n\n\n\n\n","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"user_image","content":"https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/user_assets/assets/000/001/154/original/20240901_195113a.jpg?1725235039","metadata":{"caption":""}},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n        \u003ch2\u003eThe 2024 Atrix Solution\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI got my Atrix Dock out to use with a Pi 5 for Adafruit's Show and Tell. Things had changed since the Pi 1 when now using a Pi 5. The one full size HDMI connector is now a pairt of microHDMI connectors. There are more USB ports on the Pi 5.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI wanted a solution with no adapters and no trimming of the plug housings. I went on to Amazon (US) and through brute force (Amazon search is not the most robust) found the following cables:\u003c/p\u003e\n      \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"parts","content":"\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-details\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"parts-quantity\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e x \u003c/span\u003e\n        \u003ca href=\"https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S6IBNIQ?th=1\" class=\"parts-name\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eHDMI 1.4 Type D Micro HDMI Male to Micro HDMI Female HDMI Extension Cable\u003c/a\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"parts-description\"\u003echenyang 30cm\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-action\"\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003ca href=\"https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S6IBNIQ?th=1\" class=\"parts-url btn-secondary\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBuy Now\u003c/a\u003e\n\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n","metadata":{"name":"HDMI 1.4 Type D Micro HDMI Male to Micro HDMI Female HDMI Extension Cable","url":"https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S6IBNIQ?th=1","description":"chenyang 30cm","quantity":"1"}},{"element_type":"parts","content":"\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-details\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"parts-quantity\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e x \u003c/span\u003e\n        \u003ca href=\"https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3LX1ZQR\" class=\"parts-name\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMicro Female to USB a Male Cable,USB 2.0 Micro Female to Standard USB Male Extension Cable\u003c/a\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"parts-description\"\u003eTivid 11.4 inch Data Transfer (Micro) Female-(USB A) Male\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-action\"\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003ca href=\"https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3LX1ZQR\" class=\"parts-url btn-secondary\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBuy Now\u003c/a\u003e\n\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n","metadata":{"name":"Micro Female to USB a Male Cable,USB 2.0 Micro Female to Standard USB Male Extension Cable","url":"https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3LX1ZQR","description":"Tivid 11.4 inch Data Transfer (Micro) Female-(USB A) Male","quantity":"1"}},{"element_type":"user_image","content":"https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/user_assets/assets/000/001/158/original/20240902_153816.jpg?1725306238","metadata":{"caption":"The Atrix Dock with the latest Raspberry Pi OS wallpaper, ready to go"}},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n        \u003cp\u003eA micro HDMI extension (female-male) is perfect for the micro HDMI on new Pis. And a USB A male to micro B female, while uncommon, was available. I ordered them and lo and behold the cables fit on the Atrix without any modifications or binding against each other. Eureka!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaving the Pi 5 outside the Atrix Dock is actually a benefit as there is ample airflow.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n      \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n        \u003ch2\u003eOk, This is 2024, Where Do I Get an Atrix Like Yours?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe old surplus Motorola Atrix Docks (a3b I think) are mostly gone and 12+ years has gone by. Amazon is \u003ca href=\"https://www.amazon.com/AT-Laptop-Dock-Motorola-ATRIX/dp/B004M17D62\" target=\"_blank\"\u003elisting a third party vendor\u003c/a\u003e asking $300 plus $20 shipping, yikes. I have seen them come up on eBay anywhere from $27 (for parts without a battery) to $99. There is even a vendor selling a cable to connect a Pi to the Atrix (likely a Pi 1) although I think for modern Pis, the cables above are less expensive and a modern solution. Be sure you look to get a dock with a Motorola power brick unless you are good at finding replacements.\u003c/p\u003e\n      \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n        \u003cp\u003eIt would appear that Motorola maufactured some similar docks for their phones in later years. Beware of units with only USB C input as I know of no way to get USB+video over that connection.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Motorola Lapdock 100 for Droid Razr \u003cstrong\u003eappears\u003c/strong\u003e to also work with Raspberry Pi 5 (untested) - it will need the extension cables above also.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Motorola Lapdock 500 Pro \u003cstrong\u003eappears\u003c/strong\u003e to work as it has separate microHDMI and USB connectors. Untested.\u003c/p\u003e\n      \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n        \u003ch2\u003eDock Alternatives\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe upside of it being 2024 is there are modern docks available from various vendors. None are at the $60 price point of the Atrix (12 years ago, mind you), but they likely have superior displays.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA major point is the fact that any older dock which houses the Pi on the inside may be incompatible with the Pi 5, especially due to lack of airflow to keep it cool.\u003c/p\u003e\n      \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n        \u003ch3\u003eNexDock\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIssued 8 years ago via Indiegogo, the \u003ca href=\"https://magpi.raspberrypi.com/articles/raspberry-pi-laptop-dock\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eNexDock\u003c/a\u003e had a rough launch. The Raspberry Pi 3 was available at that time.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey still have a NexDock 2 (4 years old) on their\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://nexdock.com/raspberrypi-laptop/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ewebsite\u003c/a\u003e stating it's for the Pi 4. Note there are \u003ca href=\"https://magpi.raspberrypi.com/articles/nexdock-2-review\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ereports of trackpad wonkiness\u003c/a\u003e but one could always use a USB mouse.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDisplay: 13\" 1920x1080 IPS, 51Wh battery\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis might be good to check out if you can afford the $299 price.\u003c/p\u003e\n      \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n  \n        \u003ch3\u003eCrowPi2\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.crowpi.cc/products/crowpi2-all-in-one-raspberry-pi-laptop-stem-learning-platform?variant=39547335966853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCrowPi 2\u003c/a\u003e has a laptop-like shell allows a Pi 4 to be placed inside and it comes with some gear to make projects.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDisplay: 11.6\" 1920x1080 IPS, power bank separately.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.crowpi.cc/collections/crowpi/products/crowpi-l\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCrowPi L\u003c/a\u003e is similar.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote these were designed for the Pi 4B and may not be Pi 5 compatible.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCrowView Note\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMade for Raspberry Pi, this $169 laptop form factor was reviewed by \u003ca href=\"https://magpi.raspberrypi.com/articles/crowview-note-review\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eThe MagPi\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n      \n","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n        \u003ch3\u003ePi-top Touch Display and Bluetooth Keyboard\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere isn't much information about the \u003ca href=\"https://shop.pi-top.com/collections/active-products/products/touch-display-and-bluetooth-keyboard?variant=43829124333745\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePi-top combo\u003c/a\u003e. Go here and select the HDMI adapter option. Contact the manufacturer if you want more information.\u003c/p\u003e\n      \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n        \u003ch3\u003ePiDock 400\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe PiDock 400 is billed as a kit to turn a Raspberry Pi 400 keyboard computer into a laptop form factor. It's likely not a good candidate for a Raspberry 5 dock.\u003c/p\u003e\n      \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n  \n  \n  \n        \u003ch2\u003eAliExpress\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI saw a unit touting touch on a 13.3 inch display with keyboard and HDMI input. I haven't tried it out but you can see it \u003ca href=\"https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807464872727.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e. It was $112 when I saw it which is decent.\u003c/p\u003e\n      \n\n\n","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n        \u003ch3\u003eRoll Your Own\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can choose any HDMI flat panel display and use a Bluetooth keyboard and get a decent experience, although it will unlikely be a laptop all-in-one form factor.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCheck out my blog post on making an ad-hoc system \u003ca href=\"https://21stdigitalhome.blogspot.com/2024/09/buying-raspberry-pi-display-and.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n      ","metadata":{}}]