Beelink Expand X

Beelink Expand X turns your phone into a computer

The Beelink Expand X is a dock for smartphone or tablet. It will allow you to position your device upright thanks to a mobile support while recharging it, but it will especially offer the possibility to take advantage of a richer connectivity than the usual docks.

The basic connectivity of the Beelink Expand X is a USB Type-C port that will allow you to charge your tablet or smartphone. Positioned in front of you, it will be readable and accessible for a classic handling. But in addition to this basic port, the dock offers a whole range of connectors offering other possibilities.

There is an HDMI output, two USB Type-A ports to connect a mouse, a keyboard or a dongle managing both and a USB storage for example and two USB Type-C ports. The first will be used to charge the device and your phone or tablet, the second will physically connect the Beelink Expand X to your mobile device. Finally, a MicroUSB port will allow you to connect a PC to the dock.

A button on the front of the Beelink Expand X allows you to easily switch from your connected smartphone to your PC with the same keyboard and mouse, the object will then behave like a KVM between your sedentary and mobile station. If your smartphone allows it, you will also benefit from its video display on your screen, a simple pressure on this button and you will control your mobile device as a sedentary station. A second press and you will switch back to your PC with the same trio of keyboard, mouse and screen.

The dock, priced at $40, is expected to ship in April. At this price, considering the proposed uses, it could be an interesting product for many uses. Especially if you have a smartphone with large screen desktop support features. The overall finish seems excellent with a magnesium/aluminum alloy body measuring 12 cm deep by 6.5 cm wide and 1.3 cm thick. If the soft hinge is well enough built, this is actually my biggest fear on this type of device. If the hinge holds the load and isn’t quickly too flexible to support your device, the object could be quite useful if you use your smartphone as a mobile office and want to retrieve that information in sedentary mode.

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