Key Takeaways
- DeX is offered on a number of Samsung Galaxy smartphones. It lets you use your telephone as a desktop-like laptop when linked to a monitor, TV, or laptop computer.
- Dex is appropriate with a mouse/keyboard and affords a extra intuitive interface for multitasking and accessing your telephone’s content material on an even bigger show.
- DeX lets you entry your telephone’s content material, messages, emails, and apps on a bigger display with out continuously switching between your telephone and laptop or laptop computer.
Samsung’s Dex is a built-in characteristic on Galaxy phones and tablets that turns the devicves right into a desktop laptop when paired with a appropriate show.
It might be marketed as a PC substitute, however does Dex have what it takes to tackle a Home windows laptop computer, or is it only a gimmick? I examined it out on numerous platforms and in contrast it to an Asus gaming laptop to search out out what it might do.
Is Samsung DeX a legit desktop alternative? I tried it to see.
Samsung DeX turns your Galaxy telephone or pill right into a full-fledged laptop. This is what you could find out about utilizing it.
What’s DeX?
Samsung’s desktop OS has been round for longer than you would possibly assume
Samsung / Pocket-lint
Samsung launched DeX again in 2017 with a docking station for plugging in your mouse, keyboard, and HDMI cable. The docking station has since disappeared, and connecting DeX to displays by way of HDMI or USB ports is now doable.
It additionally works wirelessly on sure TVs and laptops, supplied you’ve gotten good Wi-Fi. Dex affords a Chromebook-like expertise to entry your apps, browse the web, and ship emails on a desktop model of your telephone’s interface.
Is Samsung DeX a legit desktop alternative? I tried it to see.
Samsung DeX turns your Galaxy telephone or pill right into a full-fledged laptop. This is what you could find out about utilizing it.
DeX’s professionals
It is free
DeX is baked into Galaxy units and does not require any extra prices or subscriptions. It is also simple to make use of and connects in seconds.
Works with current {hardware}
Samsung DeX ought to work along with your displays, mice, and keyboards, so there is not any want to purchase particular {hardware} to assist it. That stated, for those who do not already personal the beforehand talked about {hardware}, you may want to purchase it to get DeX to work.
Wonderful compatibility
One in all Dex’s greatest promoting factors is its flexibility. It really works with most displays, TVs, desktops, and laptops, permitting you to make use of it in some ways. It could possibly work as a standalone system on a monitor or TV, or run parallel to your working system for those who’re utilizing a PC or laptop computer.
Comfort
Continuously switching between your laptop and cell machine when working could be irritating when working. With DeX you’ll be able to learn your messages, view your library, and entry all of your emails on an intuitive desktop interface with out reaching on your telephone.
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With the suitable adaptor and a DeX-enabled Samsung telephone, you’ll be able to convert your previous TV right into a productiveness panel.
Dex’s cons
Efficiency varies relying in your Samsung machine
Samsung / Pocket-lint
You may anticipate totally different efficiency from totally different Galaxy units when utilizing DeX. For instance, my Galaxy S22 delivers a clunky DeX expertise with occasional display stutters and disconnects when it will get too scorching. Utilizing DeX with an S24 is a special story, and I’ve a secure reference to glorious app efficiency it doesn’t matter what I am doing.
{Hardware} limitations
Dex’s efficiency is proscribed to your telephone’s {hardware} capabilities. Which means that it is superb for lighter duties like shopping and watching movies, however it will not be up for dealing with the advanced graphics required for gaming or design work.
Software program compatibility
Most Android apps work effectively and supply the identical person expertise whatever the monitor or laptop computer you are connecting to. Then again, DeX is not designed for some desktop-specific applications and will crash or generate errors for those who attempt to use them.
It could possibly drain your telephone’s battery
DeX can drain your telephone’s battery sooner than normal due to the extra energy required to show your work on a bigger display. This won’t be an issue for those who can cost your telephone whereas utilizing DeX wirelessly, however it may be a difficulty in case your battery is low, and also you need to join by way of the USB-C port.
How I turned a small, old flatscreen TV into a productivity monitor for free
With the suitable adaptor and a DeX-enabled Samsung telephone, you’ll be able to convert your previous TV right into a productiveness panel.
Arms-on testing to see what DeX can do
Utilizing Dex on a TV
Samsung / Pocket-lint
I linked my Samsung Galaxy S24 with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 CPU and 8GB of RAM to a 65-inch LG good TV by way of DeX to check its capabilities and see if it is price utilizing. The very first thing that impressed me was that I might simply join wirelessly by the app while not having pesky cables. I am unable to overstate how helpful that is once I’m sitting away from the display on the couch and utilizing a wi-fi mouse and keyboard to navigate the menu.
As soon as linked, my telephone interface was on an enormous show with all of the important information, like remaining battery life and sign power, conveniently displayed within the backside proper nook. I first tried DeX with widespread every day duties like shopping the web, sending Whatsapp messages, and watching YouTube movies. The cursor motion cannot match the smoothness of a standard desktop, however the lag is not noticeable sufficient to be detrimental to the expertise. It nonetheless handed with flying colours, and the expertise was pretty much as good as utilizing my telephone, with no noticeable high quality discount within the movies I considered.
The desktop-like expertise was good for accessing all my telephone’s features, and it solely failed once I tried to run an app it wasn’t designed for.
Subsequent up was multitasking, and I skilled no points with a number of browser home windows and the gallery open whereas utilizing apps like Kindle and Instagram. After seeing the optimistic outcomes, I made a decision to check DeX with our customized CMS to see what it could do. It reached its limitation at that time, and all I received was the spinning circle indicating that it was loading after the login display, however it did not go any additional.
General, I used to be impressed with how simply my TV might be become a makeshift Chromebook with out cables. The desktop-like expertise was good for accessing all my telephone’s features, and it solely failed once I tried to run an app it wasn’t designed for.
Utilizing DeX on a laptop computer
Connecting DeX to my Home windows laptop computer was as simple because the TV, with no cables required. It supplies the very best of each worlds as a result of I can work on the laptop computer and run DeX inside a desktop window to entry my telephone content material with out it getting in the way in which.
I normally run a dual-monitor setup and reduce distractions by working Home windows on the built-in show and dedicating the secondary display to DeX. With this setup, I successfully have Home windows and Android desktop platforms working in entrance of me, and I can immediately swap between them by transferring the cursor onto the one I need to use.
Samsung / Pocket-lint
Swapping between Home windows and Android interfaces with out touching my telephone is a pleasure as a result of I do not cease working once I get notifications and might entry every part on the shows.
Dex’s software program and energy limitations aren’t as huge a deal on my laptop computer as a result of I nonetheless have sufficient energy to run video games and demanding graphics apps and solely use it to entry telephone features.
Utilizing DeX on a monitor
Utilizing DeX on a monitor was barely extra difficult as a result of there was no wi-fi connection possibility, and I wanted a USB-C to HDMI cable as a substitute. Connecting by way of cable was easy as a result of I’ve a free USB port for the wi-fi mouse and keyboard dongle. Older displays with out USB-C or USB ports is perhaps tougher, and also you would possibly want a USB-C to HDMI cable to attach.
My monitor person expertise was much like that of the TV regardless of the wired connection. I might simply entry my apps and different telephone features and play YouTube movies and different content material with none points. If something, the expertise was marginally smoother, because of the cable, though it was much less handy as a result of I could not transfer my telephone with out it disconnecting.
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Home windows laptop computer vs DeX
I in contrast DeX to my Asus Tuff Gaming laptop computer with a Ryzen 7 6800H CPU and 16GB of RAM to see if it is viable as a Home windows substitute. It would appear to be there is not any competitors between the 2 due to the facility distinction, however it’s price testing the professionals and cons earlier than making assumptions.
Home windows laptop computer professionals
Appropriate with most software program
Emaki / Pocket-lint
I exploit this laptop computer for every day writing, mild gaming, watching content material, enhancing photos, and numerous different duties as a result of it really works with most software program. Home windows in all probability affords the very best compatibility, and you’ll run every part from graphics and animation apps to web-based enterprise administration or accounting software program with none points.
Extra Energy
Respectable Home windows PCs and laptops have extra oomph than the very best smartphones to deal with multitasking and different demanding apps. Additionally they have higher graphics playing cards for producing advanced 3D imagery that recreation and animation apps require. Then again, the superior energy could be overkill for mild customers who’ll by no means use their laptop to its full capabilities and might get monetary savings with a light-weight possibility as a substitute.
Comfort
My laptop computer has a built-in show, trackpad, and keyboard, so I haven’t got to purchase them individually. It additionally has all of the ports I would like to attach mice, audio system, and different peripherals simply.
Cons of a Home windows laptop computer
Costly
Samsung / Pocket-lint
Good Home windows laptops could be expensive, relying on the specs. Relying in your necessities, shopping for a monitor or TV with a wi-fi mouse and keyboard and utilizing DeX in your telephone generally is a far cheaper possibility.
Cumbersome
Lugging a 5.73-lb laptop computer with a charging block, mouse, earbuds, and stand is not enjoyable on longer journeys as a result of it will get heavy and uncomfortable shortly. If I am not doing heavy work, I usually carry a light-weight, moveable monitor and use DeX as a substitute.
You continue to want a telephone
You might need the very best PC or laptop computer, however you may nonetheless want to purchase a telephone, which may price over a thousand {dollars} for upmarket fashions. As an alternative of spending cash on a premium laptop computer and telephone and utilizing each to half their skills, it is smart to purchase a robust telephone solely and use it for each roles for those who can.
Home windows person expertise
I spend round 10 hours a day on my laptop computer, and it appears like an extension of my physique due to all of the shortcuts, bookmarks, and different settings tailor-made to my specs. It is able to deal with something on the contact of a button and runs my customized work CMS, numerous open browser home windows, and different duties within the background with out breaking a sweat.
I by no means have to fret about having sufficient energy or whether or not the software program will work as a result of Home windows is a secure and dependable platform trusted by enterprise and private customers worldwide to offer the very best expertise for many functions.
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DeX person expertise
Youtube / Pocket-lint
The Dex person expertise is much like utilizing a Chromebook with a well-recognized mobile-friendly design. I had no downside utilizing Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and most apps I would normally use on my Home windows laptop computer, though they give the impression of being barely totally different on the brand new interface. The one factor DeX could not do was run my customized work app, and I do not anticipate it to be nice for gaming both.
I believe DeX’s viability relies on your necessities. It is a respectable substitute for many customers who do not want cumbersome, overpowered laptops for his or her every day work when a compact Galaxy telephone can do the identical. The associated fee issue provides one other dimension to the equation, and DeX makes up for its minor shortcomings by working with the {hardware} you already personal and never costing a cent.
The Last Verdict
DeX has its benefits, however I do not assume it might ever exchange my Home windows laptop computer as my go-to system as a result of it does not work with my predominant work CMS and has energy limitations. That stated, it nonetheless works effectively for many duties and might rival Chromebooks as an inexpensive various to Home windows for college kids and different mild customers. Home windows has a smoother and extra polished really feel, however DeX makes up for it with simplicity and familiarity with Android units.
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For now, I exploit DeX as a parallel system working within the background on my laptop computer, and it supplies terrific comfort with all my telephone features prepared to make use of on my show. It additionally works effectively on my TV once I really feel like engaged on my sofa and with a conveyable monitor once I’m out and about and don’t desire the load of a laptop computer.
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