It's refreshing to see a tech video on HN that doesn't look like the ten thousandth attempt at making an Apple commercial. I might donate just to reward him for not using ( ukelele soundtrack + "this changes everything" voiceover )
This is very similar to another product that you can buy today https://www.adafruit.com/products/1652. It's basically an iPad 3/4 retina display that connects via DisplayPort. The main differences seem to be that the Kickstarter one will run off USB power (instead of 9V) and attaches to your laptop screen.
I've been tempted to try it, but can't really think why I'd need it.
I got one of the Motorola lapdocks for $50. They were meant to adapt an Android phone (Atrix or Bionic) to a laptop form factor, but with micro HDMI and USB keyboard/trackpad they're popular accessories for the Raspberry Pi. But they can also be used as just an HDMI display, either as a second monitor or with something like a Chromecast, Roku, etc.
If I'm on the move, I tend to be working either on the train or in a coffee shop, and neither of those environments would be conducive to attaching an iPad-sized display to the side of my laptop (on the train, this would just not work at all; in a coffee shop, it might at a stretch, I guess).
If I'm in one of the two fixed locations I tend to do work - either my office or one of my clients' offices - I will already have access to a much larger and more usable external display.
There are also a bunch of apps for the iPad (and other tablets I'm sure) that'll do more or less exactly this over wifi, which will probably perform adequately (for some tasks).
On a similar note, does anyone have any experience with the apps that let you use your iPad as a monitor? Last I checked they were a bit flaky, but I was wondering if the situation had improved (and if they work when connected to e.g. public wifi, or if you need a private network to connect them).
Would be nice if Apple just allowed you to connect one directly via the Lightning port via Airplay.
It sure would be nice. I use Air Display sometimes, but there's enough lag to irritate me, and every two or three hours I momentarily lose WiFi connectivity for one or two seconds, which is distracting when I'm trying to work. Beyond that, there's just the astounding stupidity of using WiFi even though the iPad is physically connected to my MacBook already by a cable.
I've still yet to figure out why an ultra-thin, 15"-17" laptop style display you can toss in a backpack with a laptop that has a normal DVI/HDMI connector isn't available somewhere. I've seen some on the market, but they're way too thick and heavy for that kind of use-case. I'm talking rMBP display quality and thickness heaviness.
DVI/HDMI can't deliver power. DisplayPort and USB3 can. I think that'd be a big factor for people. I'm almost ready to buy this thing: http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Portable-USB-Powered-Monitor-MB16... because I don't want to haul around another power brick for a second monitor
What's needed isn't just a smaller monitor, but an interface appropriate for this form factor.
I would love to run a dashboard on a smaller screen like this, or to have a communications hub for hangouts and email. A flash and an alert and I can drag over and use my keyboard and mouse to do what needs to be done.
I've played around with doing this on a mobile device, but there isn't anything out there that lets you use synergy as a destination point on mobile device.
We know the Display Port version of Packed Pixels won't suit everybody but the KickStarter is just that, to kick start things. We are working on a HDMI version but this is more complicated (not just on the technical front) and so is unlikely to form part of the KickStarter.
Aside from the higher resolution, this doesn't seem very compelling compared to the various On-Lap products from GeChic (http://www.gechic.com/product_en.asp) or other manufacturers. In fact, it's actually inferior in every way outside of resolution. So what makes this so good?
My complaints:
- Display Port is a tough sell considering that it's not standard on all laptops. Especially when competing products use USB or HDMI.
- I don't see a mention of the type of screen used so I assume it's TN and not IPS.
- Lack of various extra features since this is just a screen (ex: touch, battery, selection of sizes).
- Not competitively priced.
I'm also sceptical of their gaming claim.
> Since Packed Pixels utilises DisplayPort connectivity you can perform full frame-rate activities such as video playback or gaming.
All other products on the market can handle gaming, but only for low frame rate games. Unless they show a spec sheet with drastically improved response times, they will end up with the same result in reviews that all other similar products have with regards to gaming - not fast enough.
It's the same display as an iPad (he says in the video) which means it's IPS.
It's not offered or sold with 'extra features' so complaining that it doesn't have any is a bit weird. It's USB powered so it will chew on your laptop battery if you need it to be portable.
Why are you skeptical of the gaming claim? It's a screen connected by cable to a video out. It's much higher bandwidth than software compressed USB or WiFi. It's as much gaming as plugging an external display in - because that's exactly what it is.
I wouldn't use any of the ones you linked to, but I would use this. The key feature is the mounting clip that holds it beside the laptop monitor, so it's actually usable on a lap, not just on a table. The reason for DisplayPort is probably because MBPs have two DisplayPort outputs and only one HDMI output, so it has to be DP if you want one on each side.
This product uses the same screen as that what is used on the iPad. The iPad screen is plenty fast enough for gaming on an iPad, I don't see why it wouldn't be fast enough for gaming when connected to a laptop.
Display Port is the only way to push that many pixels at 60 FPS, HDMI and USB just don't support it (there is a variation of HDMI that is supposed to support it, but I don't know any manufacturer that actually uses it)
> I'm also sceptical of their gaming claim.
Assuming they are using a tablet screen, using DisplayPort makes gaming support trivial.
> Especially when competing products use USB
BTW this is why many are slow, doing USB leaves a lot of work on your end and often a delay.
> In the past we have supported some crowd funding campaigns that have been funded but then they have realised they needed to raise additional funds to complete the project, which causes delays. It is because of this the target for this campaign is quite large. At this level we can deliver all pledges without any additional funding or prospect of further sales.
Don't understand why they didn't just make an iPad mount. There's plenty of software to extend your desktop remotely. A small display like this doesn't need to be able to run high frame rate games.
[+] [-] charlesism|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] gooseyard|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] mileswu|11 years ago|reply
I've been tempted to try it, but can't really think why I'd need it.
[+] [-] ja27|11 years ago|reply
http://www.ebay.com/itm/USED-Motorola-Droid-Bionic-Lapdock-/...
http://fortysomethinggeek.blogspot.com/2013/05/cheap-portabl...
[+] [-] MrUnderhill|11 years ago|reply
It would be brilliant if tablets (or even laptops) had a HDMI/DP input and a "dumb screen" mode.
[+] [-] masklinn|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] bshimmin|11 years ago|reply
If I'm on the move, I tend to be working either on the train or in a coffee shop, and neither of those environments would be conducive to attaching an iPad-sized display to the side of my laptop (on the train, this would just not work at all; in a coffee shop, it might at a stretch, I guess).
If I'm in one of the two fixed locations I tend to do work - either my office or one of my clients' offices - I will already have access to a much larger and more usable external display.
There are also a bunch of apps for the iPad (and other tablets I'm sure) that'll do more or less exactly this over wifi, which will probably perform adequately (for some tasks).
[+] [-] tmikaeld|11 years ago|reply
1. Costs a little bit more 250$ vs 261$, but then include UPS Priority shipping.
2. Requires assembly.
3. Doesn't have a monitor mount.
But it certainly is more hackable.
[+] [-] philip1209|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Osmium|11 years ago|reply
Would be nice if Apple just allowed you to connect one directly via the Lightning port via Airplay.
[+] [-] cordite|11 years ago|reply
Most were only moderately good for having documentation up.
Frame rate was abysmal, a delay of up to 4 seconds, and most had issues where the text was all jpeg-ified.
Direct wire would probably work out better.
[+] [-] charlesism|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] bane|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] viggity|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ChikkaChiChi|11 years ago|reply
I would love to run a dashboard on a smaller screen like this, or to have a communications hub for hangouts and email. A flash and an alert and I can drag over and use my keyboard and mouse to do what needs to be done.
I've played around with doing this on a mobile device, but there isn't anything out there that lets you use synergy as a destination point on mobile device.
[+] [-] memossy|11 years ago|reply
About the same price, weighs 1 lb. AOC and Asus also do USB Monitors that are larger, but this would be nice for a small monitor add on
[+] [-] jodrellblank|11 years ago|reply
The Kickstarter is for a DisplayPort connected 2048xwhatever IPS screen. It's nothing like comparable.
[+] [-] PackedPixels|11 years ago|reply
We know the Display Port version of Packed Pixels won't suit everybody but the KickStarter is just that, to kick start things. We are working on a HDMI version but this is more complicated (not just on the technical front) and so is unlikely to form part of the KickStarter.
If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.
Oh, and it really is great for gaming!
[+] [-] hysan|11 years ago|reply
My complaints:
- Display Port is a tough sell considering that it's not standard on all laptops. Especially when competing products use USB or HDMI.
- I don't see a mention of the type of screen used so I assume it's TN and not IPS.
- Lack of various extra features since this is just a screen (ex: touch, battery, selection of sizes).
- Not competitively priced.
I'm also sceptical of their gaming claim.
> Since Packed Pixels utilises DisplayPort connectivity you can perform full frame-rate activities such as video playback or gaming.
All other products on the market can handle gaming, but only for low frame rate games. Unless they show a spec sheet with drastically improved response times, they will end up with the same result in reviews that all other similar products have with regards to gaming - not fast enough.
[+] [-] jodrellblank|11 years ago|reply
It's not offered or sold with 'extra features' so complaining that it doesn't have any is a bit weird. It's USB powered so it will chew on your laptop battery if you need it to be portable.
Why are you skeptical of the gaming claim? It's a screen connected by cable to a video out. It's much higher bandwidth than software compressed USB or WiFi. It's as much gaming as plugging an external display in - because that's exactly what it is.
[+] [-] jimrandomh|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] X-Istence|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Guvante|11 years ago|reply
> I'm also sceptical of their gaming claim.
Assuming they are using a tablet screen, using DisplayPort makes gaming support trivial.
> Especially when competing products use USB
BTW this is why many are slow, doing USB leaves a lot of work on your end and often a delay.
[+] [-] transistor-man|11 years ago|reply
Remind me again, what is the £165,000 for, R&D?
[+] [-] molecule|11 years ago|reply
> In the past we have supported some crowd funding campaigns that have been funded but then they have realised they needed to raise additional funds to complete the project, which causes delays. It is because of this the target for this campaign is quite large. At this level we can deliver all pledges without any additional funding or prospect of further sales.
[+] [-] Guvante|11 years ago|reply
Reasonable starting point for mass production.
[+] [-] cordite|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] unknown|11 years ago|reply
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[+] [-] lnanek2|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] unknown|11 years ago|reply
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[+] [-] dewey|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] asiekierka|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] charlesism|11 years ago|reply