Smart phone as home computer?

[tevake]

Many here are much more tech savvy than I. So I'd like to run this idea by you all.

IS there a docking station for a smart phone that can charge, plug into a TV as a monitor, allow for a full sized keyboard? If so, what would be the limitations?

I mostly do e mail, surf the net, Do photos, and hang here. Is there a set up for smart phones that will let me do those things?

Thanks, Richard

[jyl]

ScheyenIAm: How-to: Use an external display with an iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch

Looks like Apple TV is the best way to mirror an iPhone's display on a monitor,

Apple's wireless keyboard works with an iPhone.

Not sure about using a mouse to control the iPhone.

Use AirPrint to, well, print.

The iPhone apps will be lite compared to PC/Mac apps but for email and surfing, should be fine.

I imagine the same is possible with Android phones.

[tevake]

Thanks jyl for the link, that's exactly the sort of system I was thinking about.

My first ever I Mac just packed it in after only 3.5 years of light use, and costs over five bills to fix. Plus the repair tech said they are only good for 3 to5 years and recommended to think about getting a new one. That just isn't the longevity I was looking for. So looking for options

Thanks Richard

[pitargue]

Some Motorola phones. But the docking sw is lacking.

[onewhippedpuppy]

You can get a decent laptop for $300 that is good enough for web browsing and word processing, and gives you twice the power and options of a phone. I wouldn't consider using my iPhone 5 or iPad as my only computer, there are just too many compatibility issues and limitations.

[tevake]

Yes Whipped, That may end up being the way I go. Have gotten really comfortable using the Mac system and the screen quality is very nice. Hard to go back to a PC.

Cheers Richard

[stealthn]

The iPad with a keyboard and external display is probably the best for this unless you want to buy a convertible.

[URY914]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

You can get a decent laptop for $300 that is good enough for web browsing and word processing, and gives you twice the power and options of a phone.

How about some examples of these, thanks.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by URY914

How about some examples of these, thanks.

Laptops, Laptop Deals, Laptop Computers, Cheap Laptops at TigerDirect.com

[red-beard]

For about $99 you can get a dual-core Android TV box, which has a built in Web Cam and Microphone for Skype, micro SDHC expansion, Wifi, Bluetooth and able to connect via HDMI or S-Video.

Add a wireless keyboard and mouse for about $25.

[Aggie93]

This might fit the bill if you can wait until August.

Dell's Tiny, Cheap "Project Ophelia" Computer - Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter

"Project Ophelia" computers will include wireless wi-fi and Bluetooth networking, along with sufficient memory and video capabilities to run many programs. Users will be able to download apps (including genealogy apps), movies, and TV shows from the Google Play store. Users will also be able to run Android games or stream movies from Hulu or Netflix. Of course, the system is fully capable of surfing the web, reading and writing email, as well as using Facebook, Google Plus, LinkedIn, and other social networking sites. Ophelia will also come with Wyse's PocketCloud, which allows users to access files stored on PCs, servers or mobile devices. The tiny computer will also (optionally) connect to virtualization platforms from Citrix, Microsoft and VMware, increasing security required by those who have to tote information around.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Aggie93

This might fit the bill if you can wait until August.

Dell's Tiny, Cheap "Project Ophelia" Computer - Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter

"Project Ophelia" computers will include wireless wi-fi and Bluetooth networking, along with sufficient memory and video capabilities to run many programs. Users will be able to download apps (including genealogy apps), movies, and TV shows from the Google Play store. Users will also be able to run Android games or stream movies from Hulu or Netflix. Of course, the system is fully capable of surfing the web, reading and writing email, as well as using Facebook, Google Plus, LinkedIn, and other social networking sites. Ophelia will also come with Wyse's PocketCloud, which allows users to access files stored on PCs, servers or mobile devices. The tiny computer will also (optionally) connect to virtualization platforms from Citrix, Microsoft and VMware, increasing security required by those who have to tote information around.

I believe Apple TV provides similar functionality as well. I'm a little skeptical about all of the computer/tv hybrids, I question how easily they operate from my recliner. Guess I need to play with one.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I believe Apple TV provides similar functionality as well. I'm a little skeptical about all of the computer/tv hybrids, I question how easily they operate from my recliner. Guess I need to play with one.

There are better versions than the Dell unit already out.

I have a 1.6GHZ quad core unit (about as powerful as my Samsung Galaxy S4) hooked up to my TV at home. It connects easily to my house Wifi. I hooked up a Webcam through the USB port. Actually, I connected a USB hub and then the camera. I also have USB storage connected.

It can stream videos through Hulu, Netflix and YouTube. It will access my NAS and run videos/music from there.

For $15 you can download an Office suite which allows you to view and edit Word, Excel and Powerpoint files. For $2.99 you can get a Printbot which allows printing to a network printer.

The better ones are the RK3188 versions (Quad Core). The Dual core units will do the job. In fact, there is a fully integrated RK3066 unit with Webcam already built in.

Get one with 2GB of RAM and at least 8GB of internal storage. You can add up to 32GB of micro-SDHC. But you can also add a USB drive for nearly unlimited storage.

It is an Android PC, so you download software from the Playstore.