NexDock, a three-membered team who just hit the jackpot on Indiegogo, is all about its revolutionary laptop, said to “harness the productivity of smartphones, tablets, and mini PCs by adding a bluetooth keyboard, a capable battery, and a 14-inch screen”. NexDock is essentially an empty laptop that comes to life “with the heart of a smartphone”, as Gizmag recently stated. At $149, this thing is allegedly the cheapest laptop in the world. Whatever device you want to beam to NexDock, you simply can, and with the help of the latest Windows 10 smartphone, you can take advantage of Continuum, a feature Microsoft created for allowing mobile devices to be transformed into a full PC. With Continuum and a Windows 10 device, plus the help of a mouse and keyboard for support, NexDock is Continuum’s perfect ally.

NexDock isn’t limited to Windows devices. It’s compatibility with a variety of devices ensures you are getting the most out of the product. This makes its current success a no-brainer. iPhone and Android devices can easily connect via mini HDMI port or wireless adapter (remember the iPhone can be turned into a game controller by using AirPlay dual screen games). Even the smallest of tablets gain full-size productivity when connected. In fact, any mobile device that connects to NextDock is quickly given a bigger display, and an instantaneous boost in functionality. I compare it to using my Chromecast, and how it beams my media to my television within seconds. NexDock is the same, but in laptop form, so it’s actually better. It’s like giving your smartphone a mild dose of steroids. It can be used as a second display for your current laptop, even a nice upgrade to your favorite HDMI PC-on-a-stick, like the Intel Compute Stick, and of course the wonderful Raspberry Pi mini computer. Take a second and think about that- a Raspberry Pi computer, which is the world’s smallest, cheapest computer, made into the world’s most affordable full-size laptop. Now that’s cool.

The following specs have been listed on NexDock’s Indiegogo page: the device supports a 14-inch display, a 16:9 ratio featuring 1366 x 768 pixels, plus measurements of 351mm x 233mm x 20mm, and a weight of just 3.28 pounds. It contains Bluetooth 4.0, mini HDMI, 2 USBs, 1 TF card slot, 1 headphone jack, built-in dual speakers (also working as an expansion dock via USB), and a lithium-ion battery at 3.8V/10,000mAh.

The NextDock company is most definitely looking towards the future, wishing to develop docks with a “variety of sizes, and better-integrated mini PCs with a range of processors and operating systems”. The company goes on to state, “By separating processor and operating system from the display, we hope to start a paradigm shift in consumer electronics, where computers can be adapted to match your exact needs, generating less electronic waste for the environment”. I found this quote to be so fulfilling, I couldn’t have said it better myself. My instant need for my NexDock, if I were to own one, would be to make a bigger screen for my iPhone, considering I use it all the time for media and apps that would be more enjoyable on a larger display. I also know a few casual developers/gamers that would appreciate the ability to swap and use a variety of devices. The crowdfunding campaign, which sought after a whopping $300,000 in funding, did just fine, totalling $363,063 at the end of its campaign on April 17th. Although the product is priced at $149, backers will be getting their NexDock for as little as $129, as the early birds grabbed their $79, $99, and $119 packages quick enough to sell them out.