Say goodbye to the trackpad by going touchscreen. Transforming one’s phone into a fully-fledged laptop workstation is not at all the stuff of fantasy fiction. It just requires the right equipment to turn your pocket-sized powerhouse into a productive tool.
Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse
So, the idea is to give up a laptop and be one of those rare people who actually use their phone as a full-time workstation. For this, you will need to get along with a Bluetooth keyboard and a mouse. Let’s face it: thumbs and tiny touchscreens just cannot keep pace with the satisfying click-clack of a real keyboard when it comes to specifying something quickly and with an assurance of what was really typed. Good upgrade for your phone setup; productivity is waiting for you.
I’d suggest opting for a folding model if you plan on traveling. A few of my favorite options include:
Ditch the heavy laptop. Unleash the iClever BK08: The revolutionary tri-fold keyboard which transforms any surface into your mobile workstation. Just pack this pocket-sized powerhouse into your handbag and enter typing-free travel. Moreover, its design integrates a touchpad and a free detachable phone stand so that traditional peripherals are not necessary. Work smarter, not harder.
Say goodbye to the mouse! The Samsers Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard features an integrated touchpad and definitely won’t empty your pockets. It also comes with a phone stand for simple hands-free use.
Unfold your productivity with the ProtoArc XKM01: the full key keyboard that folds for the highest levels of portability. No more cramped keys; enjoy real touch typing wherever you go. It is more than a keyboard; it is a full-blown mobile workstation. You can also count on a standard mouse for precision control, a built-in phone stand for hands-free viewing, and an elegant carrying case for everything. Smarter working, not smaller!
The ProtoArc XKM03 isn’t really just another foldable keyboard-it’s my ergonomic oasis in the land of cramped commutes and cramped keys. I’ve gone through a parade of foldable keyboards, promising me ergonomic solace, and somehow XKM03 grabbed my heart. It probably won’t fit in your pocket just like some origami-inspired keyboards, but the comfort it gives over those marathon working sessions weighs heavier than portability any day. At last, a folding keyboard that does not feel a compromise.
Portable or External Monitor
Is someone squinting to write documents on phones or maybe to finish binge-watching a movie? Torture! Are we going to liberate indicating that eyes? Laptops and desktops have a generous noble expanse of screen real estate. Discard the digital eye strain and return to comfortable viewing.
Ready to splurge? This accessory is more of an investment than a mere purchase. It is the ultimate phone upgrade, carrying your mobile device into the realm of a portable workstation.
While there are numerous options to choose from, a few of my top picks include:
Ditch that bulky briefcase already! Your 15.6-inch portable command center, the ViewSonic VG1655, packs the two power sources and an eye-soothing technology. Don’t hunt for an outlet: juice it from your mobile phone or a USB power adapter. Here’s the beauty: built-in speakers that enable quick presentations or movie nights, wherever you choose. Looking to cut costs? There is a cheaper one without the speakers and with only one power source.
- UPERFECT’s 16-inch OLED Portable Monitor: Get ready to be blown away. The bright 3K resolution display is a treat for the eyes, but you have been warned-this beauty will usually play along with a new phone (2022 onward). Older friends may feel snubbed!
With the ARZOPA 16-inch 2.5K Portable Monitor, creating amazing visuals anywhere is just the beginning. Hours slip by in an exciting whirl when colors are brilliant and details clear. Under eye care technology ensures comfort. Anytime, anywhere, transform a space into your personal theater for spellbinding movie nights.
For gamers, check out our guide to the best portable gaming monitors.
Use a Lapdock Instead
You may not have known it, but extra screens and wires are an eyesore. Lapdocks are a sleek alternative to a traditional laptop that you have been looking for. A gorgeous display, responsive keyboard, easy charging, and all courtesy of the phone in your pocket. Instant laptop mode without having to worry about extra bulk. Do watch out for port limits; sometimes, minimalist means less than a few options for connections.
A few of the best options include:
- Dopesplay 14.1-inch Lapdock – Has a built-in battery and convenient touchscreen. It even charges your phone via USB-C cable.
- NexDock – NexDock offers multiple sizes, including one with a wireless charger. There’s also a desktop-style setup if you “* Need a screen for commanding attention? The UPERFECT UDock X, with its beautiful 15.6-inch display, offers stunning visuals for immersive experiences that redefine portable productivity. Not to mention, it has the wireless charging pad where the cables came in.”
Phone Docking Station
Forget the laptop and embrace the future! A docking station allows your phone to fully transform into a workstation. Give way to an avalanche of ports; away with that single USB-C or Lightning port, and welcome unlimited connectivity.
Are you prepared for a schooling? Usually, such stands act as a mini-head-up-display for the phone, charging it and letting the notifications flash, so one never misses a beat-even when there is no second screen.
If you live by an ethos of minimalism, then it’s simple: cable clutter be damned! In all fancy-ness, the Anker 313 wireless stand is all you would ever want to charge your phone. Need to hook up that docking station? Give your device much-needed power with one of these dynamite docking stations:
Unlocking the full potential of your gadget has become a cinch with the NEWQ Versatile USB-C docking station: A Swiss army knife for your digital life. Connect anything and everything: be it legacy USB-A devices, cutting-edge USB-C peripherals, memory cards, HDMI displays that would make a grown man cry from awe, or good old ethernet. I think this bad boy even gets you a headphone jack! In a thunderous blast of 100W, it charges whatever you could have thought of: smartphone, tablet, portable monitor, ultralight laptop, or the clone console to which you have faint memories of a childhood. Don’t just connect, conquer.
- Cable Matters 5-in-1 Docking Station: Undoubtedly a very cheap alternative to NEWQ. You could save some bucks by forgoing the card reader! Great if the SD card slots are just collecting dust on your desk.
USB-C Flash Drive to Extend Storage
Let’s be so scrumptious as to associate with a cloud. Well, consider my complete line: this USB-C flash drive is the off-the-grid backup for my phone. Think about it: instant local storage, zero Wi-Fi. Pro tip: confirm before you hit the buy button. Extra points: rocking an older dock protected with USB-A? Just grab any random old flash drive, and it will work like charm.
My favorite USB-C flash drives include:
Ditch the laptop! My phone, now turned mobile workstation, powered by Kingston’s DataTraveler Max (a booming 1TB!), will be my buddy on the go. The usual names on my list are SanDisk and Samsung, but this Kingston drive offers insane storage that transforms my phone into a powerhouse on the go.
Thanks to USB-C adapters, it’s easy to use USB-C flash drives in other USB ports.
Additional Accessories
Ensure having a proper sound system with a Bluetooth portable speaker for truly immersive audio. Then, fuel work intentions with cloud apps. Office 365 is one of the best productivity boosters, but the wonderful free alternatives are also worth considering for your on-the-go creativity.
Also, consider cloud storage for additional convenience and space. But, keep in mind common security issues.
Ditch the laptop! Your phone can easily be made into an amazing workstation with the perfect arrangement custom-fitted for it. Save tons of money by replacing a couple of devices with one superb mobile command center.
Image credit: Unsplash
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