Laptop Interface for a Desktop

[Zarquan]

I use a gaming laptop on a couch.  This is because I can not have a desktop setup in my living space as I can't have the supporting furniture to support a monitor, keyboard, and other peripherals, so I am stuck with a laptop.  That, and using a desktop with a static monitor (meaning they don't move when I do) tend to give me a headache if I use them for long periods of time.  I hardly ever game away from my couch, so a static setup would seem to make more sense than one that is made to be portable. 

 

For this reason, I was thinking that if I could use a desktop like I use my gaming laptop (on my lap on a couch), that would greatly improve the quality of my gaming experience.  This would be the case for a few reasons:

1. Using a laptop on your lap gives bad thermals, so if the actual computer was off my lap, it could be properly cooled while still giving me my desired computing experience.  My lap wouldn't get warm because there isn't a computer on it and I wouldn't need to worry about vents.
2. Desktops tend to be more powerful per price than laptops.
3. Desktops are more easily repairable, upgradable, and customizable than laptops.
4. Desktops last longer than laptops because they aren't moved as much.

The main problem I have is that this style of interface does not exist.  I can't buy a thing that looks like a laptop, but is actually an empty shell that can be plugged in to a desktop to be used as the monitor, mouse, keyboard, mic, etc. for the desktop (excluding ones built for servers that are way overpriced for the screen quality).  I was wondering if anyone has built something like this before.  My thinking is that someone who knows more than me could probably build one and have the whole thing driven by a single USB C cable (with Thunderbolt 3), which would seem to me to be the ideal.

 

Essentially, what I am looking for the opposite of the setup in the video below.

 

A couple notes (because I have talked to people about this before):

1. I can't use a TV that is across the room (as has been suggested) as my monitor and just have a keyboard and mouse on my lap because I am nearsided and can't see the screen with enough detail to do things precisely.  Plus, I don't want to inflict my gaming on other people.
2. I dual boot linux and windows, so I need to be able to use GRUB to choose which OS boots, so software screen sharing would not be optimal.  Plus, a mid range non-gaming laptop (which would be my portable machine) is unlikely to have a 120 Hz display.
3. I can't mount a monitor to a wall because it would need to be easily removable, and I also don't own the walls.
4. A laptop interface would be better than a cart-like setup with a monitor because the cart could be annoying to store or move.

 

I could see a few use cases for an interface like this. 

1. This would allow you to use a desktop without a desk.
2. This would be a space saving measure if you use a small desk.  Stowing a laptop is easier than stowing a desktop monitor.
3. Higher degree of local portability than a desktop setup, meaning I could switch between a couch, and a chair, and a hypothetical nearby table without having to move a desktop monitor and all the other peripherals.
4. Second monitor for laptop when traveling.
5. Allow two people to share the a laptop's resources (like many gamers, 1 CPU, but much smaller scale).
6. Collaborative work on one computer with two screens and two keyboards (so you don't have to hand around a keyboard).

I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts about this idea, or has actually built something like this. 

[Evanair]

Why not use something like a Razor Core X, so when you're at your couch it's connected via USB C for gaming.  You could pretty much get everything you're asking for with a lap desk and this setup.

[dalekphalm]

I found this:

https://kotaku.com/its-a-monitor-that-sits-on-your-desk-and-your-lap-5973632

This is the On-Lap 2501 portable monitor.

 

However, NewEgg doesn't seem to sell it anyone. They do have the 1305H, but it lacks the "laptop style" bottom. I guess you could put it on your lap and look down? Not very ergonomic.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0V184J5722&Description=On-Lap monitor&cm_re=On-Lap_monitor-_-0JC-0001-00013-_-Product

https://www.gechic.com/en-portable-monitor-onlap1305h-overview.html

 

I did find the 2501 on eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/On-Lap-Portable-Monitor-2501-LED-Monitor-for-Notebook-PC-Smartphone-15-6-HDMI/200976443894?hash=item2ecb2129f6:g:jkYAAOSwaNBUd9Mu&frcectupt=true

It's a steep $316 USD though.

 

You could pair one of these with a wireless keyboard + mouse setup - or a thunderbolt dock + whatever periphs you wanted.

[Giganthrax]

Short of having a huge table on your bed that can somehow fit at least monitor, keyboard, and mouse, and still allow you to easily remove it if needed, I don't see how this can be done with the limitations you described.

 

Just get a lap desk and stick with the laptop until you can afford a place with a desk. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/LapGear-Home-Office-Lap-Desk/dp/B01C785EJ4/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3H1FO63VVG4XB&keywords=lap+desks+for+adults&qid=1553223238&s=gateway&sprefix=lap+d%2Caps%2C236&sr=8-4 

 

Something like this should help you out. 

[imbrock]

The best couch gaming experience I've had so far was when I attached a computer screen on a hydrolic visa mount to my coffee table. Had obvious problems.

 

I've often thought something similar before myself. Basically a really light laptop thats basically just a wireless display keyboard trackpad and usb hub. That would be amazing and I'm constantly trying to find a good compact solution for this but have had issues finding anything workable. There don't seem to be any really good wireless display adapters that aren't too big. The fastest developing tech is in home streaming so I've been looking into that a bit.

The current solution I've been researching is probably going to end up using some sort of steam streaming (or windows wireless display adapter) to a handheld device of some sort. Depending on how much I end up wanting to spend that could be anything from a laptop and keyboard to a surface tablet. Though I'm leaning a bit smaller and intending to try and hook some Switch joycons into the solution to help with that sort of gaming too.

Ultimately all ways of solving this are looking a bit janky, ugly, laggy, or otherwise kind of unpleasant at the moment. Looking better and better all the time so maybe something will come out soon.

[Zarquan]

Thank you for your responses.

2 hours ago, Evanair said:

Why not use something like a Razor Core X, so when you're at your couch it's connected via USB C for gaming.  You could pretty much get everything you're asking for with a lap desk and this setup.

True, I could do that.  But these enclosures are a bit expensive, and the CPU would still be a mobile CPU.  I would consider this to be an acceptable solution, but the thermal problems would still be there, albeit with a smaller effect.  I also don't know of any laptops with 120 Hz screens that aren't expensive gaming machines.

2 hours ago, dalekphalm said:

I found this:

https://kotaku.com/its-a-monitor-that-sits-on-your-desk-and-your-lap-5973632

This is the On-Lap 2501 portable monitor.

 

However, NewEgg doesn't seem to sell it anyone. They do have the 1305H, but it lacks the "laptop style" bottom. I guess you could put it on your lap and look down? Not very ergonomic.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0V184J5722&Description=On-Lap monitor&cm_re=On-Lap_monitor-_-0JC-0001-00013-_-Product

https://www.gechic.com/en-portable-monitor-onlap1305h-overview.html

 

I did find the 2501 on eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/On-Lap-Portable-Monitor-2501-LED-Monitor-for-Notebook-PC-Smartphone-15-6-HDMI/200976443894?hash=item2ecb2129f6:g:jkYAAOSwaNBUd9Mu&frcectupt=true

It's a steep $316 USD though.

 

You could pair one of these with a wireless keyboard + mouse setup - or a thunderbolt dock + whatever periphs you wanted. 

I certainly agree with the not very ergonomic on the looking down.  That's why I feel the hinge is important.

2 hours ago, Giganthrax said:

Short of having a huge table on your bed that can somehow fit at least monitor, keyboard, and mouse, and still allow you to easily remove it if needed, I don't see how this can be done with the limitations you described.

I think this is a hole that could be filled.  I can't be the only person who wants to use a desktop like this. 

2 hours ago, Giganthrax said:

Just get a lap desk and stick with the laptop until you can afford a place with a desk. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/LapGear-Home-Office-Lap-Desk/dp/B01C785EJ4/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3H1FO63VVG4XB&keywords=lap+desks+for+adults&qid=1553223238&s=gateway&sprefix=lap+d%2Caps%2C236&sr=8-4 

 

Something like this should help you out. 

See, I know most people want to have a desk setup, but I really don't.  I like couch gaming, and I get a headache with desktop monitors.  I hold my head too rigid when I am using them.

1 hour ago, imbrock said:

The best couch gaming experience I've had so far was when I attached a computer screen on a hydrolic visa mount to my coffee table. Had obvious problems.

 

I've often thought something similar before myself. Basically a really light laptop thats basically just a wireless display keyboard trackpad and usb hub. That would be amazing and I'm constantly trying to find a good compact solution for this but have had issues finding anything workable. There don't seem to be any really good wireless display adapters that aren't too big. The fastest developing tech is in home streaming so I've been looking into that a bit.

The current solution I've been researching is probably going to end up using some sort of steam streaming (or windows wireless display adapter) to a handheld device of some sort. Depending on how much I end up wanting to spend that could be anything from a laptop and keyboard to a surface tablet. Though I'm leaning a bit smaller and intending to try and hook some Switch joycons into the solution to help with that sort of gaming too.

Ultimately all ways of solving this are looking a bit janky, ugly, laggy, or otherwise kind of unpleasant at the moment. Looking better and better all the time so maybe something will come out soon.

I think the people I am living with would object to hydrolics being applied to the coffee table. 

 

In my mind, wireless display is optional and maybe even not desired.  It would give more local portability (meaning movement within the room).  I would need a power cable though, so I would still have a cable coming out at least sometimes.

 

I would rather avoid streaming services because that would rely on the router.  I would rather not have the basic functionality of my computer rely on a router.  Though if I did do streaming, I would be able to put the tower itself somewhere else and run ethernet.

 

I did a price check on the basic components and I think I could build one out of components for around $300 (US) for the basics.  The idea is that I take a dead laptop or an empty laptop chassis with a good screen, get a good screen (hopefully a 120-144 Hz) and an LCD control board, put in a USB keyboard where the old keyboard was, and a USB C hub.  I would probably also add scaffolding on the inside because an empty laptop is probably less structurally sound.  I didn't do a price check on speakers or a mic because I don't know that much about them.  Unfortunately, I am not that crafty, and there are a lot of variables, so I wouldn't know how to do it.