Source
r/sysadmin•
GamingVPN

Options for portable (laptop style) KVM?

Question

Hello,

Does anybody happen to know of a portable KVM that is in a laptop style form factor? As in a clamshell design, where you flip up the monitor and it has a keyboard, just like a laptop, except it has no real functionality to it.

Instead, it allows you to plug in a server's monitor output/HDMI/USB (for keyboard/mouse), and since the device has it's own built-in battery, you're good to go.

Basically it would be like a laptop (monitor/keyboard) except it's just a dumb display w/keyboard and touchpad.

Any idea if these exist? If so, could you tell me of some? I've tried searching everywhere including Amazon but I couldn't find it and I think I'm searching for possible the wrong keywords.

Thanks!

Posted Dec 3, 2023, 8:47 AM UTC

718
LinearFluid•

So if money is no object, there is this.

https://bsicomputer.com/products/rmk178p-26300

It can control up to 8 machines and has a battery option available in configuration.

You connect a dongle of which 4 are included in price. You have to buy 4 of the same type monitor inputs in a standard config. So one of these with 4 HDMI connection dongles and battery is $4,673. You can ask for a custom, custom configuration. Which I would guess you can specify how many dongles of the 4 type you need. VGA, DVI, HDMI or Displayport. Start with a couple abd ask orice of individual dongles.

10
slazer2au•

Is a LapDock what you are looking for?

3
GamingVPNOP•

LapDock

Thanks for the response!

I think you may be on to something here! I'm furiously searching now and I've found a lot of these that connect to phones via USB type C, but I haven't found one yet that has HDMI/monitor input AND keyboard/mouse input.

So for example, I can't figure out how to use this to control a server's keyboard/mouse. Any idea on that or maybe I'm not looking at the right lapdock?

Thanks!

3
slazer2au•

Dopesplay DR138 maybe?

2
GamingVPNOP•

Dopesplay DR138

Hey there, that's what I've been looking at, but I don't see how it could connect to a (for example) Dell server for keyboard/mouse. So for example, on that Dopesplay, I imagine some sort of USB C (to connect to the Dopesplay) to USB A (to connect to the Dell server) cable would be needed. But I don't see that anywhere/not sure it would work.

Thanks again for the info, I'm still searching!

2
slazer2au•

You will need a VGA to HDMI converter

Check out this vid about 30 min in he goes through and explains how he uses it as a mobile KVM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp81cU1GVwk

2
Carphead•

I've tried to find various solutions for this over the years. I settled for a USB Crash Cart for VGA devices and a USB C Portable Monitor for HDMI devices. It's not perfect but I power the portable monitor via USB Battery and carry a small laptop style keyboard with a track pad.

If I'm travelling really light I'll use a HDMI to USB capture card.

3
Cooleb09•

Honestly unles you are literaly not allowed to bring a fucntional laptop into the environment, just use a crash cart cable and a normal laptop.

3
jamesaepp•

As others have said - Lapdock.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp81cU1GVwk

2
GamingVPNOP•

Checking that video out now, thanks!

1
seamonkey420Jack of All Trades•

GPD Pocket 3

have a kvm module and was made with it technicians in mind. i have one and love it!! it is a smaller company though.

https://gpd.hk/gpdpocket3

2
GamingVPNOP•

Hey there, that is actually what gave me the idea! I thought of buying that unless I can get something else to work, like a LapDock people are mentioning.

Do you have one of those that you linked? How well does it work? Also you mentioned the KVM module, does it come with that?

Thanks!

2
seamonkey420Jack of All Trades•

i have had the i7 since the indiegogo launch and love it. kvm module does come with along with a serial module and a usb.

kvm is an hdmi one and it also has a usb-c in so when plugged in the locket 3 kb and touchpad will drive kvm. when usb-c input on kvm is connected, it will redirect kb and touchpad to kvm only (touch screen will work to navigate the pocket 3 os). they have a hdmi app that will show hdmi on p3 screen

perf of the i7 version is good. 16ram and ssd is upgradable (have a 2TB in mine) and size is excellent!!

1
GamingVPNOP•

It looks like a GPD Pocket 4 might be coming out as well soon, hmm!

2
seamonkey420Jack of All Trades•

rumors are saying there may be a new one in 2024. nothing confirmed but hints were made from what ive heard

1
ThatsNASt•

Lapdock.

1
GamingVPNOP•

I've been looking and it looks promising, but I can't find one that does USB A inputs for keyboard/mouse (or has a cable for it, USB C to USB A) as well as having VGA inputs. The closest I've seen is one with mini-HDMI input, which would work with some adapters, but I can't see how to plug the keyboard from a laptop into a (for example) Dell server since the server doesn't have USB C input.

1
ZAFJB•

What wrong with RDP, and iDRAC/iLO?

1