Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

Has anyone been experimenting with using the N900 as a complete desktop computer replacement? That would involve connecting a big keyboard and mouse to the N900 and sending the video signal to a monitor. It would also involve running a large-screen window manager rather than Hildon. All these should be possible with the N900, so I am wondering if anyone has tried, and if so, what their experience with such a setup is.

Of course, the best would be if Nokia would make a nice docking-station, allowing us all to just pick up our main computer and put it in our pocket whenever we leave home, having it all with us on the road! :)

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

bump...
I'm also interested in this. Is it possile to connect a bluetooth keyboard and use it to navigate(and use) the n900's features on a tv/monitor?

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

This should be doable without any special modifications. It would be great for travelers -- just bring your bt keyboard, line out cable to the tv, usb charger and N900 and you are in business at a place with Internet.

You'd have to make sure the bt keyboard actually works, however -- see threads about that.

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

Would be awesome indeed! Just to list what's being done right now to reach this goal (feel free to add to this!):

Heavy experimenting to connect HIDs (keyboard + mouse) to the N900:
- Through bluetooth, or
- Through USB host mode. This would pose a problem for power input though, since the N900 can only be charged through its USB port.

Efforts are also being made to be able to print directly from the N900.

Together with more software becoming available that supports office working (FreOffice and ofcourse the full OpenOffice package through easyDebian) the N900 is well on its way to replace the desktop PC... AWESOME!! :D

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

I've been using a SmartQ v7 + X forwarding / VNC to get n900 apps up on a bigger screen and connect keyboards, mice etc.

Works pretty nicely, it's useful for stuff like Sygic.

Cheers

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

N900 is faster and have more storage than my Sony VIAO which has the docking station you've mentioned. I'd definitely pay for a similar docking station if anyone made it. ^^

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

It would be just like having my old Pentium 120 back in business!

(just kidding, a little bit :-P

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

It would be something like this only smaller and upgraded :)

these go back to the 80's so its an old thought
werent as portable as n900 but still...just power and a monitor and off you go

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

I think it's already possible, except the big-screen desktop manager (which you don't need IMO). Just hook up a bluetooth keyboard and mouse and a TV. You can even add in DS3s/Wiimotes.

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

I've been interested in doing this, but there are a few things from holding me back:

1) I came across a fold-up bluetooth keyboard (£30), but I'm unwilling to buy it as I'm not sure of the compatibility with the N900.

http://www.vanguardpdas.co.uk/ekmps/...ard-1165-p.jpg
Link to site
------------
This one
looks good aswell, it even has a phone rack on the keyboard to place the N900
http://www.bestofferbuy.com/images/l...E23158_LRG.JPG


2) I need a fully working and supported native Linux distro (I'm not fussed about phone support, though that would be great)
I'm not sure what the current status is of Mer/Ubuntu on the N900, but I'd love to see Arch Linux on it.

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

See, if Nokia stopped f***ing around with writing closed-source crap software and screwing around with the OS (leave it to the community), they COULD have been making accessories like, say, a docking bay for the N900 to just get dropped into that could provide a set of USB ports for keyboard/mouse and a VGA/DVI/HDMI port. BOOM! A pocket computer that could have effectively doubled as a comfortable desktop PC.

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

Nokia should have included bluetooth keyboard support by default. Even the n95 has bt keyboard support.

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

Something like this, http://forums.internettablettalk.com...d.php?t=57865?

bun

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

MohammadAG has Ubuntu 9.10 running on the N900. Thread here

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

Not quite the desktop experience without the aforementioned hardware accessories that Nokia SHOULD have made available instead of screwing around.

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

That has well been astablished by now. Any reason for you to repeat this statement here?

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

Because we are bitter and it still grates.

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

Because it's not quite the desktop experience without the aforementioned hardware accessories that Nokia SHOULD have made available instead of screwing around. ;)

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

*Sigh*

Yes, and if Nokia would have implemented a built-in beamer the N900 could also have been used as a stand-alone presenting device, but they didn't! Shame on Nokia!

Really though, your remark is off-topic since we are talking about what can make the device a desktop computer replacement, not what can't. Getting really tired of people spamming their frustrations at random places. Please complain somewhere else, thanks :)

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

Unfortunately, you have to have a hack for ANY kind of mouse support (USB or Bluetooth.. which doesn't work entirely well because Nokia ripped out that bit of usefulness from Xorg when they promised it would be there during the criticism of Maemo 4). USB in host mode sounds like it doesn't work or doesn't work well, last I checked.

So anyway.. what would make it a GREAT desktop computer? How about an N900-specific accessory dock that acts as a USB hub and enables 1) USB host mode with powered ports (so you can have a USB hard drive, flash, etc.), 2) mouse+keyboard support, 3) some kind of computer monitor display port. Hell, if you could hit two out of three, it wouldn't be bad. Hit all three in a dock you can just tug it out of to run out the door, and you've hit the sweet spot for a perfect portable machine that can ALSO be a great desktop.

Go for it, ThomasAH! We're counting on you!

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

But NOKIA did not include USB OTG support!;)

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

IT may not have USB OTG, but perhaps someone could use something like in this video..

It shows and n800 and n810 using a usb flash / pendrive and external hardrives. No doubt it could also be used for keyboards and other USB Hosts etc....If only the app was ported to the n900.

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

Worse part is n800/810 (which are supposed to be predecessors of n900) have USB OTG... WTF?

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

Ahem.

I have an N800 and I *HAVE* used an external USB keyboard, hard drives (hehe... once hooked up my 1TB to it with no problem), flash drives,etc.

THAT is USB host mode (or USB OTG mode). The N900 doesn't do it, last time I checked.

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

Thumbs up! :)

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

Where? Watch where you do that. Is there a dock or something that made you say that?

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

I was not saying that n900 had USB OTG, I meant that maemo 5 needed a port of the app shown in the vid to read USB drivers. Additionally the USB to USB connection could always be bought online or in a store (I currently own one)...

I am however curious, is the app used by n800 for USB OTG open source? I did a search, but couldn't find anything.

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

If USB host works these monitors require only one USB connection and low power input:

http://www.amazon.com/9IN-LCD-1024X6.../dp/B002Q0WNMU

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

:confused: What does "read USB drivers" even mean? We need USB drivers written, or rather fixed, to make USB host mode work. The app in question only tells the kernel to use host mode or client mode; if you don't have the kernel-mode functionality working, it won't work (and this is the case today), and if you do have it working, the app is just a nicety to let you do it by one or two taps instead of typing commands in a terminal window.

And yes, it's open source.

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

Never mind just found out the n900 simply cannot have USB OTG since it can only take in electrical input.

Or in other words, the n900 does not support USB host mode because it cannot supply its own power to read the Device (flash drive) on the other of a cord, it can only take in electrical input. So it's never gonna happen.

EDIT: Just saw someone said it was possible, and he was working on it...but progress seems to be lost...

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

USB-OTG (which involves cable-selected initial host mode, and also devices swapping host/slave once connected) is probably not possible.

Host mode (selected by the user) is definitely possible with enough work, and has even been sporadically achieved, but it cannot work reliably with present drivers.

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

And even if N900 can't supply power out (it can), you could use a powered USB hub to get around that. Power is not an issue.

Re: Using the N900 as a Desktop computer replacement
 

No, drivers and the crippled XORG desktop are the issues.