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  • Author Author: fustini
  • Date Created: Date Created
  • Views 17959 views
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  • Comments 48 comments
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Raspberry Pi laptop

fustini
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My last post showed how I assembled a portable Pi using a 3.5" composite LCD.  Well, I've got a better option this time around, the Motorola Atrix lapdock!

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The Atrix lapdock was originally intended for Motorola's Atrix Android smartphone.  It didn't sell very well for it's original purpose, so you can pick one up for around to $50 to $100 on eBay and Amazon.  I ordered mine from eBay for $50 (shockingly my seller is now listing at $199).  It was listed as refurbished but is in great condition.  The beauty of its 11.6" HD display is a stark constrast to my 3.5" composite LCD:

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I recommend checking out this insightful blog which details how to use it with the Pi: Raspberry Pi and Atrix Lapdock.  Adafruit also has a helpful video from Becky Stern on how to hack together an appropriate USB cable:

 

 

However, the USB cabling described in the above blog and video is only needed for Raspberry Pi's that have F1/F2 polyfuses.  "Fresher" Pi's now have either 0-ohm resistors on F1/F2 (Model B Revision 1.0 + ECN0001) or no F1/F2 pads at all (Model B Revision 2.0).  More info on the board revisions is on the Foundation's blog.  I got a Pi from MCM Electronics last week, and it has 0-ohm resistors (labelled "000" in the upper right corner of the board):

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With those polyfuses gone, the Pi can be powered via it's USB host ports as an alternative to the micro USB jack.  This is great for the Atrix lapdock as it was designed to both power the Atrix phone and connect it to USB devices over the same connected.  This means that no USB cable modifications are needed at all.  Here's my setup:

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A close-up of the back of the lapdock with micro HDMI on the right and micro USB on the left:

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My cables and connectors (from left to right):

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I highly recommend buying an Atrix lapdock while they are still available for cheap.  Beyond the Pi, it can be used as a HDMI display for an array of other devices, too.

 

[UPDATE: check out Raspberry Pi lapdock tricks]

 

[UPDATE: I received a male Type A to male Type A adapter from Amazon and a HDMI Male to Micro HDMI Female Adapter from DealExtreme.  Along with the micro HDMI extension cable that came with my lapdock, the result is a more compact setup without long HDMI or USB cabling:

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Cheers,

Drew

http://twitter.com/pdp7

 

 

 

Product Name*DescriptionSupplier
Raspberry Pi Model B Raspberry Pi model BRaspberry Pi
Buy Now
Pre-Programmed 4GB SD Card 4GB Class 4 SD card preloaded with Debian 6 LinuxSamsung
Buy Now
Motorola Atrix Lapdock w/included cablesSelf contained battery powered unit with display, keyboard and trackpadMotorola
HDMI Male to Micro HDMI Female AdapterMale standard HDMI to female micro HDMI adapterImported
USB A to A Male CouplerUSB type A to A male couplerDistributed By MCM
Buy Now

 

*Products and resources listed are listed to help members build their own Pi Projects. They are suggestions and listed for educational purposes. For substitutions of any parts, please post a question asking the original author.

  • in reply to e14 Contributor

    Actually, I should've read some the previous posts more carefully. I see that there are some that are very similar to mine.

     

    Nonetheless, I managed to solve the problem with a simple modification. The problem was caused by the fact that the micro USB cable was not connected entirely into the Atrix's jack. Here's the solution from "Rasamuths' Raspberry Ramblings" ( http://rasathus.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-raspberry-pi-laptop-easy-way.html )

     

    The Step By Step : Step 1 - Making a bit more space to play

    The LapDock arrives with a neatly fitted panel, which I'm sure fits wonderfully when used with the intended Motorola Atrix phone, but for our purposes it just makes things more awkward to fit.



    image

     

    If you look at the right hand end of the dock, you'll notice a little cut out.  If you insert a flat blade screw driver here and gently pry, you'll find the insert separates and can be lifted out.

     

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    Without the insert you'll find things are a little more spacious around the connectors, which will help greatly in a few moments.

  • Has anyone had trouble with their keyboard? Everything seems to work fine, but when I get to the Raspberry Pi Configuration screen, none of my keys work. I've heard people say that sometimes this is caused by insufficient power, but I don't think this is the case when using a lapdock. Any ideas or suggestions would be much appreciated!

    P.S - I followed these instructions for my setup: http://rpidock.blogspot.com/2012/05/raspberry-pi-and-motorola-lapdock.html

  • in reply to johnbeetem

    Thank you for your logical steps of troubleshooting John.  It turns out I have a flaky micro female USB>USB adapter.  Reseating it several times, it would work sporadically.  Fortuneatly I had a ordered few spare adapters on the way from China so I didn't have to wait too long and now it's working like a champ.   A linux laptop for under $100, not too shabby.  My next challenge is running a video edit sw package.. we're having fun now image...  thanks again!

  • in reply to kendall.green@gmail.com

    Hi Kendall, do you know what Revision of Raspberry Pi you have?  If it is the current Revision 2.0 model (the one with 512MB), then you should connect the micro USB port on the lapdock to the one of the USB host ports on the Raspberry Pi.  This should both power the Pi and provide the USB devices (KB and trackpad) to the Pi.

     

    Is the Type A end of your micro USB cable female or male?  If its female, then you'll need a male-male Type A cable or a male-male Type A coupler like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BSJFO8/ref=ox_ya_os_product

  • I have a Atrix 4g upgrade cables (micro usb male female and micro HDMI male female) and a micro HDMI female to regular  HDMI male adapter.  When I plug the cables into the Lapdock and power port and HDMI (via the adapter) on the Raspberry,  I get the Raspberry to boot and display on the Lapdock screen. BUT I don't get the Raspberry to respond to the Lapdock keyboard or trackpad.  Do I need a USB Type A to Type A cable?  Other suggetions?