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Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions

By | March 14, 2011, 12:31pm PDT

Summary: I have been using the Motorola Atrix 4G and laptop dock combo for a few days and offer my first impressions of the unique mobile solution. The Atrix 4G becomes a full computer in this innovative implementation.

Motorola made a splash at the CES early this year with the Atrix 4G phone running Android. The phone is a state-of-the-art handset, but what caught everyone’s attention was the laptop dock option. This dock is a thin laptop shell that uses the CPU, memory, storage and connectivity of the phone to turn the dock into a mobile workstation. I have been using the Atrix 4G and laptop dock combo for a few days and offer my first impressions of the unique mobile solution.

A couple of years ago I had the good fortune to have a private conversation with Dr. Sanjay Jha, CEO of Motorola. It was a great exchange of ideas about the future of the smartphone, and at one point I mentioned I felt that phones were becoming so powerful they would soon be full-fledged computers. Jha responded with a twinkle in his eye that Motorola was working on innovative mobile solutions involving the smartphone as the brain, and that I hadn’t seen anything yet. Having used the Atrix 4G/laptop dock combination, I have little doubt this is what he was referring to in that conversation.

Check out the extensive photo gallery of the Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop and multimedia docks.
Image Gallery: Check out the extensive Motorola Atrix 4G photo gallery with laptop and multimedia docks. Image Gallery: Atrix 4G Image Gallery: Atrix 4G

Phone

The Atrix 4G handset is an Android phone running version 2.2 with the MotoBlur interface. It is the most powerful phone I have used, and stuffed with hardware components that would make any mobile enthusiast happy. The dual-core Nvidia processor drives things without lagginess, and the high-resolution display is as sharp as that on any phone currently available. The Atrix 4G is available with the laptop dock and also with a webtop dock for use as a desktop/multimedia computer.

Phone specifications:

  • CPU: Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core, 1 GHz
  • Memory: 16 GB
  • Display: 4-inch, 960×540
  • OS: Android 2.2 (Froyo)
  • Ports: microUSB, HDMI, 3.5 mm headphone
  • Cameras: 1.3 MP front, 5 MP rear
  • Dimensions: 2.5 x 4.6 x 0.4 inches, 4.75 ounces
  • Connectivity (as reviewed): WiFi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1, DLNA, GPS
  • Special software: Webtop application, Firefox (laptop mode only)

Laptop dock:

At first glance this dock is a thin laptop with a screen, keyboard and oversized trackpad. While that is a reasonable impression, the dock is a shell waiting for the phone to be plugged into the stand that unfolds from the back of the laptop. The dock has no CPU, memory, storage nor any integrated connectivity; those are all supplied by the phone when docked.

  • Display: 11.6-inch, 1366×768
  • Ports: 2-USB (for peripherals)
  • CPU, memory, storage, OS: None

Using the laptop dock »

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Topics

4G, Splash, Laptop Computer, Motorola Inc., Cellular Phones, Notebooks, Wireless And Mobility, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Hardware, Notebooks & Tablets, James Kendrick

James Kendrick has been using mobile devices since they weighed 30 pounds, and has been sharing his insights on mobile technology for almost that long.

Disclosure

James Kendrick

James Kendrick has no affiliations or relationships that need to be disclosed.

Biography

James Kendrick

James Kendrick has been using mobile devices since they weighed 30 pounds, and has been sharing his insights on mobile technology for almost that long. Prior to joining ZDNet, James was the Founding Editor of jkOnTheRun, a CNET Top 100 Tech Blog that was acquired by GigaOM in 2008 and is now part of that prestigious tech network. James' writing has appeared in many print publications: Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine, Information Week and Laptop Magazine to name a few. James' coverage of the mobile technology sector has regularly appeared in the New York Times, Salon.com and CNN/ Fortune online. Not just a writer, James has filmed numerous video reviews and how-tos that have garnered well over a million viewers. He has appeared on local news segments and been interviewed by the Associated Press on mobile technology topics. Additionally, James has been podcasting about mobile technology for years.

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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
FAULKNE 13th Oct
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
tatiGmail 14th Mar 2011
Love this phone but has two big problems:

1. AT&T
2. Laptop dock is expensive.
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And the screen of iPhone 4 still has 30% more clarity, it has IPS, and its
DeRSSS Updated - 14th Mar 2011
@tatiGmail: layers are glued together to fight parasitic refraction. While Atrix 4G screen lacks in at least these three areas.

And iPhone 4 is not plasticky.

Applications' choice is weaker for Atrix phone, AirPlay is not available as well.
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Oh come now
youngmaester@... 14th Mar 2011
@denisrs

How many hundred thousand apps do you really need? Other than games, I don't really see that the iphone has an app store that is any more helpful than android's.
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
timspublic1@... 14th Mar 2011
@denisrs Always something for the iPhone people to whine about. How late were your for work this morning? Or don't you use your iPhone as an alarm.
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Not only quantity, quality too; how many apps are optimized for Retina for
DeRSSS Updated - 14th Mar 2011
Android?

Zero, because even now iPhone 4 is the only device with Retina-class screen (30% more details than in Atrix, 100% more than in any AMOLED screen). But there will be no apps optimized even for Atrix' resolution, since this phone will have really tiny share among masses of cheapo Androids with 320x240 screen resolutions.
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
Peter Perry 14th Mar 2011
@tatiGmail I agree, you could get a real laptop for the price of the Dock.
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
cosuna Updated - 15th Mar 2011
@tatiGmail : Agreed... this seems a first iteration of a interesting concept.

The placement of the phone BEHIND the dock is clumsy and think better configurations will arrive. Also, the laptop side needs a full "Ubuntu" style experience complete with Open Office and Evolution (aka for Outlook access). I don't see much personal use for this phone, but it could be a big hit as a side device for business user, who already have a desktop machine, specially for mail access, research web browsing and IM.

Motorola could improve the experience by leveraging X Windows and instead of connecting both sides via the HDMI, use the USB as a network card and include an Netbook class Atom on the laptop side running a minimal Linux with an X Server (no SDD and minimal RAM). That way, hardware acceleration will not be left on the phone side.

With that said, my best bet would be to transform the laptop side into a 3 year old Atom netbook (no more than $199 hardware) with minimal Linux and even offer an upgrade for Windows 7 via an expansion SSD. Viola, you're in the dual station thing with the best of both worlds.
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
panic man 14th Mar 2011
Just get an ipad and be don with it...
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
bobiroc 15th Mar 2011
@panic man

That's not a solution. The iPad is not a Cell Phone. I think this docking option has some potential. Maybe not always in a laptop form but even something where you could take your iOS, Android, or some other mobile OS and dock it into a larger screen tablet could be an interesting idea.

For example if I could take my iPhone and dock it into a larger screen and make it a tablet that could be kind of cool. After all the iPad is essentially the same as it's iPhone and iPod touch siblings aside from the screen right? Same goes for Android phones and Android tablets. It could adapt to change for the larger screen and save people from having multiple devices possibly.
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
jeremychappell 14th Mar 2011
OMG! I saw the prototype and thought it was stupid. But the idea that they have actually turned this into an actual product... Wow, that's stupid.

What possible advantage does this have over a smartphone/netbook combo?
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
charbax@... Updated - 14th Mar 2011
@jeremychappell
- cheaper to make (does not mean it's cheaper to sell, for some reason anything related to telcos is over-priced..)
- lasts much longer on a battery
- thinner
- lighter (if they didn't put such heavy metals in the laptop dock)
- more secure
- faster than intel atom (if they used a faster processor than Tegra2, with more memory bandwidth, such as Exynos 4210, OMAP4430 or ST-Ericsson U8500)
- more simple, all your data is always there and synchronized
- much lower power consumption, save money on power, save the earth eventually, using this type of laptop should become mandatory
- unbloated, no more crappy software that crashes and fills with viruses and malware (would be better if it "simply" ran Honeycomb with that Chrome browser inside and optimized for laptop use)
- instant boot, no more waiting
- seamless resume of multimedia playback on different screen
- there is more..

I think Motorola did a great thing to releasing this product.
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
CobraA1 14th Mar 2011
@charbax@...

"cheaper to make"

Basically because it's a toy more than anything. I don't see this as competing with much of anything.

"lasts much longer on a battery"

Depends on what you're comparing it to.

"thinner, lighter"

Depends on what you're comparing it to.

"more secure"

Eh, probably not.

"faster than intel atom"

Unlikely, considering it's just a big screen & keyboard for a phone.

"more simple, all your data is always there and synchronized"

Depends on what you're comparing it to.

"much lower power consumption"

Depends on how much the phone is drawing while charging. And depends on what you're comparing it to.

"unbloated, no more crappy software that crashes and fills with viruses and malware"

Pipe dream.

"instant boot, no more waiting"

I don't wait for any of my devices, including my PC. Cold boots are rarely seen anymore.

"seamless resume of multimedia playback on different screen"

A decent feature. Not something that would affect a buying decision, though.
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
GarlynSav 15th Mar 2011
@CobraA1@...

Comparing one item against the world in each category everything is going to look weaker. Someone can run faster, think quicker, jump higher. But that is three against one. I don't think most people want to be carrying 4 or 5 devices.

With VPNs, Cloud computing, and Virtual Desktops combined with 4g or wifi this type of system really could become the next environment for most travelling workers.

Hopefully we will see some other companies coming out with better renditions of this device.
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
CobraA1 15th Mar 2011
"But that is three against one."

I don't see how.

"I don't think most people want to be carrying 4 or 5 devices."

So instead of say, a lightweight laptop, they carry a lightweight screen for a phone?

They can both do the same thing with the same amount of weight: You can certainly get laptops that are very light.

No, this is not less devices or less weight.
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
timspublic1@... 14th Mar 2011
@jeremychappell You mean besides price and stability?
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
jeremychappell 15th Mar 2011
@timspublic1@... Is it cheaper? Stability? Why is this more stable? Aren't applications going to need two totally separate UI's? Doesn't that mean more UI code - and hence more bugs? I don't see it.

Given how much this is going to cost, I think two separate devices which I can replace as separate units makes FAR MORE SENSE.

This is a solution in search of a problem. I mean when was the last time your thought: "Hmm, I really wish my laptop only worked when my phone had charge and was plugged into it"? I'm betting never.
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
rhonin 14th Mar 2011
@jeremychappell
It's a fantastic idea!
Have a phone or tablet that you can dock and it becomes your notebook / desktop. When you are done take the device and go!
I tried it and found it very useful but the cost pushed me away.

Two improvements (besides cost):
1. Chrome instead of FF for the browser
2. generic that can accept more than the Atrix

Cool concept and I suspect we will be seeing a lot more of this type.

happy
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
Rama.NET 14th Mar 2011
As a user of Atrix 4g I found both pros and cons to it.
Pros: dual core processor, 16GB+32GB MicroSD, WebTop for Lap Dock.
Cons: MotoBlur, Keyboard interface only for lap dock no touch screen, tablet dock that could have made this phone as slate/tablet, Froyo (not Gingerbread). Out of them all MotoBlur and Motorola are biggest issues
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
techwatcher 14th Mar 2011
Tried the Atrix and laptop dock, but returned it. 75% of my work is done on intranet portals, and we couldn't get a VPN or RDP connection working through the Firefox webtop environment. Citrix receiver is great, but obviously only with their environments.

Great idea, but still v1.0.
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
timspublic1@... 14th Mar 2011
I also don't have as much use for the laptop dock. The phone smokes anything on the market. Period. But I'm not too sure I would pay for the LT dock. The regular dock now that's a no brainer.
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
RossNWirth 14th Mar 2011
This is the most positive review I've seen of the Atrix, interesting. Still a very interesting concept. Now if only MSFT had gotten on this - using WinPhone 7 un-docked, and Win7 when docked. Every enterprise in the world would have been clamoring on the pile!
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
CobraA1 14th Mar 2011
Interesting device. But it does sound like It has issues with apps that are designed for a native touch device.

I seriously doubt this device will be competitive with laptops. Phone OSes just aren't designed for the big screen, sorry.
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A solution without a problem
wackoae 14th Mar 2011
@CobraA1 This is just a dumb azz expensive solution for a non existent problem. There is ZERO benefits here.

A much better (and cheaper) solution would be to just connect the smartphone to a normal laptop or desktop with a USB cable. Think about it .... what is the difference between carrying around this combo or a laptop (even netbook) and the phone? What is the difference between having multiple docks around the work area or simply having access to multiple laptops or desktops?

No matter how you look at it ... this is a stupid solution looking for a problem to fix.
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That can be said for the iPad
Will Farrell 15th Mar 2011
@wackoae
but people still buy it.
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
Alan Smithie Updated - 15th Mar 2011
Damn fine idea that is perfect for a travelling business user and should sell like hot cakes. I want one, here is my deposit.
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It Needs a better editing solution for documents..
concernedITpro 15th Mar 2011
I also have one to play with (thanks ATT!), my only complaint is similar to Jim's. The phone apps run in a phone window. While not necessarily bad, if you want to edit documents or spreadsheets, it is very limiting and hard to use.

For someone who only does occasional editing, and wants to browse the internet, this is an excellent (albeit more expensive) alternative to a tablet or netbook.

To replace a small laptop for an executive that travels? forget it. They will throw it away quickly.
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
TaxNerd 15th Mar 2011
I don't think it's either a non-starter or a panacea. It will be a great solution for some, adequate for others, not so much for a third group. I believe Moto is on the right track and will cultivate both a following and imitators.
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Sounds like a niche product.
mlindl 15th Mar 2011
Real niche, like for those that care about how things work rather than about work itself.
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A transformative experience
WadoodChaudhary 16th Mar 2011
It is completely transformative experience. I have been completely won over by the idea only after using this paradigm for 2 weeks. I did not think I'd have been converted so easily.
Since getting Atrix and its docks I have realized that I am hardly using my super powerful PC and my Macbook Air. They are replaced by Home dock and Laptop dock.
My complaints are none about the idea but about some aspects of Motorola's implementation. It has bugs, and the price point is just too high. I wished this idea had come to Apple and they would have executed it to perfection.
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
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RE: Motorola Atrix 4G with laptop dock: first impressions
FAULKNE 13th Oct
Good day to confirm this comment I would appreciate T h e b e s t o f Z D N e t d e l i v e r e d your website very nice to everyone Yes, Oracle is the only one with shared-disk architecture, but that is there advantage. It means you can add or remove nodes and the database lives on. In a shared nothing architecture, if you lose a node, you lose the system. I'm sure Oracle appreciates EMC highlighting their advantage.I also desire to signal in your RSS feeds. Thank you as soon as once again and maintain up the great operate Awesome post! Thank you very much || thanks for nice content this is really benefit to me.

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