Purism, the company specializing in Linux devices and focused on user freedom, security and privacy, has announced the launch of Lap Dock Kita kit that allows you to convert a Linux smartphone, more specifically the Freem 5on a desktop computer thanks to the convergent characteristics of the operating system used: PureOS.
The Lapdock Kit takes up the concept of convergence that made it possible to turn a smartphone into a desktop system and that was supported by Canonical through Ubuntu, Samsung and even Microsoft, which developed Continuum. However, the idea ended up being a commercial failure, so the desktop and mobile markets became completely separate.
Digging deeper into Purism’s ecosystem of products, PureOS is a Linux operating system developed by the company itself, which comes pre-installed on the Librem 5 smartphone and other computers it sells, and which is endorsed by the Free Software Foundation, so it is pure free software. Beyond making Richard Stallman happy, the fact that it is pure free software allows the system and the applications it provides to be fully and completely audited freely and without compromise. These are things that distros like Ubuntu, SteamOS, Arch Linux, Fedora, and openSUSE can’t boast.
Another feature of PureOS is its commitment to convergence, so the launch of the Lapdock Kit, far from being an occurrence, is a movement that fits perfectly into the company’s policy. the kit consists of a NexDock 360 dock, a magnetic smartphone holder that clips onto the side of the dock, and a short USB Type-C cable that makes it easy to connect your smartphone to the dock.
The rest of the features are from the NexDock 360, which is made up of a 13.3-inch screen that works at a resolution of 1080p and includes a 44Wh battery, as input ports it has a USB Type-C 3.1 with DisplayPort support and a mini HDMI 1.4, while as output ports it has a USB Type-C that supplies power to charge devices, a USB Type-C 3.0 for data transfer, a 3.5mm jack connector for headphones or speakers and a slot for Micro SDXC. All of that adds up to four speakers running at one watt, a full-size backlit keyboard with multi-touch trackpad, dimensions of 12 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches, and a weight of about 2.5 pounds.
The NexDock 360 may look like a laptop, but does not include memory, data storage, processor or operating systemso all of that, in the form of the Lapdock Kit, must be provided through Librem5.
The price of the Lapdock Kit is 229 dollars, while the NexDock 360 can be purchased independently at the price of 229 euros. We remind you that Purism’s products are not aimed at the common user, but rather at Linux, free software and privacy enthusiasts. However, that does not mean that PureOS is one of the most solid alternatives to Android and iOS.
