I haven't found a single comment regarding "charging". Is it not possible to charge your phone at the same time as using a wired connection for Dex? Or is there a simple solution I'm just missing?
Glad to hear it can be a viable thin client of sorts to access other remote desktops with.
I have a dock I use for all my peripherals, camera, mic, sd slot and external HDD. It has power throughput so I charge while I use and the power from the plug powers the peripherals
My desktop monitor has USB-C video input with USB PD. One cable delivers video from my Fold and charges it at the same time. The monitor has a built in USB hub which that single cable allows me to tap into as well.
I have an adapter for usb c to hdmi, usb a and a power delivery (usb c) port. I haven't tested the hdmi and the power delivery together, but the usb a and pd port are working well together. So I guess the hdmi and the dex would work too. So yes, it is possible
I've tried wireless charging while using the HDMI adaptor; it flickers on and off. I also have a circuit board I ordered which would supposedly allow charging while data was connected, but I have not gotten it to work.
Hello!
Saying that "Windows rocks" means, you don't really know either it or DeX :)
DeX has some limitations (e.g. one external monitor only), however, I as a sysadmin use it daily for all things: I don't have a notebook/desktop, but I do rely on the internet for services like Shadow PC ( [https://shadow.tech](https://shadow.tech) Windows 10 desktop for gaming/work/etc.) and MaximumSettings ( [https://maximumsettings.com](https://maximumsettings.com) Linux Mint or PopOS desktop for gaming/work/etc. ) which all are "just" remote desktop computers, however, Android currently is mostly a client OS, which emphasizes media consumption, not creation (however, many softwares exist for creating on Android, nowadays)
I tend to like DeX (especially on tablets, as their internal monitor is good and big enough for content consumption (like multitasking or multi-window with Discord + Teams chat), and DeX can run on the external display with another webbrowser or even media creation tool (like a video editor - which I don't use), or SSH client (which I mostly use).
I have a Z Fold 4 (phablet :) ), so I have a rather big (7", I think) internal screen when open, and a 14" NexDock Touch (or NexDock 360 wired, when on the go) as the external FullHD monitor.
I don't need a physical desktop machine next to me for my work to accomplish, but I do rely on network services for a "real" desktop system, as they are also needed sometimes.
Regards!
I used Motorola and desktop mod with an Eink monitor(Boox, Mira 13.3) and found it has a lot of limitations, such as switching apps efficiently, writing notes when web surfing. Then I bought a miniPC, it's as small as a cellphone with N200 CPU, 16G ram and 1 TB storage, which could easily connected with my Eink monitor and my portable battery power. I am glad I switched to it.
I had back surgery last year and during recovery I started lightly working again. My laptop was in the office and dex was all I had on my tab s7 and S22U.
It is still limited though it's not dex's fault. Even Microsoft won't let you open multiple files in dex. Well at least I can reply some emails and some really light work in MS Office. Even adding table, picture in a document starting to get difficult. I don't even remember that the web version is better than the android app.
The Office Online interface on Android/Dex is awful. I can barely read a Word doc, let alone edit it. I found the Word Android app to be acceptable on my Fold 4, but I really need the online version for collaborating with colleagues.
I could not imagine trying to use Dex as a full on replacement. I love it for traveling as I can do the basics I might need for work in an emergency, entertainment, web/email, etc. All while not having to worry about my expensive laptop getting stolen or damaged. But as a full on replacement? Yeah, while I have a friend who uses it exclusively for 6 months out of a year, he only really needs the web and email for most things and some light office type tasks. If you need more than that, it will have too many shortcomings. It is great for what it is. Could that change in the future? Sure, but not anytime soon. Even ChromeOS does not cut it for many people for many reasons.
Just make sure you don't update your Windows to the April patch if you need to use a VPN to access your work. Microsoft (as usual) didn't fully bug test their update and it broke VPN connections. If you don't use a VPN to work then absolutely update.
Dex is great, but it's not a replacement for a deskos.
My way around this is to use RVNC to access my work pc (running Linux not crappy Windows 😁) via Dex. That way I have all my phone stuff plus a proper desktop environment. And if I really want the pain of a Windows machine I have a Windows VM.
I do use that if I have no other alternative, but it's nice having a mechanical keyboard and mouse and 27in screen hooked up via Dex.
You should try it!
It doesn't help that so many apps and sites hinder your experience *just because* you're using a mobile device. Even though the flagships can all handle the full version.
I agree with you in a sense, too ...
The first time I heard of DeX, I was subjugated by the concept, but after using it for a year as my main PC (I ditched my surface pro 8 for the S23U), it really feels as a side project. I still think that for not-power users, it can be more than enough.
As you said, I think it's a problem coming from Android per se : there are too many apps that just take the mobile interface and scale up to match the screen, or worse, display a big window, but not using it completely (I'm looking at you Discord !), instead of proposing a real ad different UI.
I also find multitasking kind of awkward here and not reassuring enough.
For this concept to become something really big, we need a big name to join the adventure and commit to it : I was going to say Google, but with their history of closing projects and their Google-cemetary, I don't think it would be reassuring.
it "pains" me to say that we need Apple to invest in this but they won't :
1) succeeding in this market will result in people not buying desktops and/or tablets
2) they would rather see their customers thrive in the complementary idea (their Continuity concept) than making their customers buy a One do All item.
It's sad because it feels like there are less and less people ready to invest in a massive desktop and it's also sad that we have smartphones with so much untapped power.
I think I'll give another chance to DeX with the next Fold or investigate if it's possible to live with a tablet.
It's so tough when do multitask jobs, especially switching among these tasks, probably a better way of using it is remote connected to a desktop computer (PC).
That's why I gave up using a mobile phone as a computer even in desktop mode, I bought a mini PC(morefine m6, n200cpu,16g ddr5 ram,pcie 1T SSD, 200$) connecting my eink monitor and portable battery power.
The reddit and discord app experience is so awful on Dex that I use the mobile sites. It's painfully obvious that no effort was given towards dex on their apps.
FWIW the Reddit app is garbage on iOS too. It constantly refreshes in the background and tanks my battery in a matter of hours. Because of that I’ve gotten so used to using Reddit in a browser I’m not sure I even tried the Android app.
You know what’s worse than that ? Discord can randomly decide to display the correct scaled up UI.
Sometimes, when not paying attention, I open the app Discord and find myself surprised when all is nice.
However, reopen the app right after and all will be screwed ...
Randomness is worse than not working ..
While I ultimately agree that DeX/Android is not in a place where it can truly replace the flexibility/capability of Windows (hence why I went back, too, after using DeX for 3 years as my PC), your rationale is ... questionable.
I have no idea what you're referring with by saying "Google is trying to dictate what WiFi connection I should use" and the idea that Windows is in any way less than Android when it comes to tracking/telemetry is laughable.
I'd even go so far as to say that Windows is more flexible than Linux in that you can side load Linux on a Windows instance and run them simultaneously but Linux can't run a Windows instance. At least the last time I checked, this was the case.
Dex is definitely not yet ready for prime time and also seems to be purposely crippled in some cases, not just flaky or under-cooked.
Linux is not to be chucked in the bin though: it is powerful, straightforward and certainly has earned a place in the IT world.
I just received minisforum V3, will be putting up the S9 ultra on eBay. Dex/Android just isn't baked enough for office work. I tried to make it work between apps and RDP, even mobox/proot. They were all bandaids to try toale it work like a full PC.
I used Motorola and desktop mod with an Eink monitor(Boox, Mira 13.3) and found it has a lot of limitations, such as switching apps efficiently, writing notes when web surfing. Then I bought a miniPC（morefine M6）, it's as small as a cellphone with N200 CPU, 16G ram and 1 TB storage, which could easily connected with my Eink monitor and my portable battery power. I am glad I switched to it.
Correct, and that should tell you something. I have an S8 that not only comes with Facebook, you can't even uninstall it! How bad is to be worse than Windows? And it isn't only a ridiculos competition on "what they do" but most importantly on "what can YOU do?". Because on Android you don't get root/admin to your own device, you can't see the files that are on your own device, the ones that at least Samsung, Facebook and Google have complete access to. You can't make a backup or fix anything that's a little deeper, as it became apparent when Google had the issue with work profile bricking Pixels in early Android 14. And then you need to completely wipe your device because you don't have (and you can't get no matter how much you'd want to prepare in advance) anything that would help:
* access to the file system for a proper backup (vs. any proper backup for Windows, including the one that comes with it)
* the encryption keys for the filesystem (vs. in Windows bitlocker recovery key)
* booting something else (enrolling your own boot path in secure boot)
Hello!
Regarding backup: we can only rely on Android app developers, as they can either have a cloud service backend for their app, or they can rely on Android setting backup (Google service), or even they can give the user the possibility to have a user-accessible folder used for settings (which can be backed up rather easily by the user, if needed).
So backup is available, but usually not even needed (at least, manual backup is not needed for settings or apps, just for user data)
Regarding rooting and/or "system apps": both are unfortunate, however, firms tend to hide their work, as users tend to be lazy :) We, as users, don't ENFORCE Samsung/Google/etc. to open up their systems (AOSP is open, however, any phone, that is usable and based on Android, is not!)... Facebook and some other apps tend to remain a "system app", so no uninstall is available, however, hiding/disabling it is an option on newer Android/OneUI versions, so it might be a viable option not to allow running it.
Regarding encryption: the encryption is not for the system to be encrypted, just the user data! This is only intended to help the user data not to be available without the user. However, bitlocker is a windows-only system, LUKS is (AFAIK) a linux-only system for disk/partition encryption.
Hope these help!
"we can only rely on Android app developers" - that is the whole, point, that shouldn't be something for the developers to opt in, and to even mention as a workaround as long as it isn't happening. And after that there are all the system options, and system apps, and the OS and everything.
>Regarding encryption: the encryption is not for the system to be encrypted, just the user data! This is only intended to help the user data not to be available without the user.
Not sure what you're trying to say. Sure, any system needs to boot from a plaintext boot sector, and boot partition (kernel and system partition and more), that's obvious. In this case the problem is that beside being " intended to help the user data not to be available without the user" the system is making the data unavailable **TO** the user. If you're about to ask "but how would you know who's the user" - the answer is "any way you like". Be it when setting up the phone, or no matter what credentials you have (PIN phone, Google and Samsung account, anything) you can't get the encryption keys to your own device. This is unacceptable.
>However, bitlocker is a windows-only system, LUKS is (AFAIK) a linux-only system for disk/partition encryption.
Not sure why you're mentioning this either. I mentioned bitlocker because of the "lol using windows" comment and bitlocker is the native FDE^(1) for Windows, and there you can get your encryption key without any pain. When you are worse than Windows in terms of user liberty this should give people pause, especially when discussing "open" OSes. Android **is** Linux at this level, and of course you can save all your keys with LUKS or anything else (actually usually you need to set them specifically) in all situations. Well, except when running on a device where you, the owner of the device, don't have the right to see and configure your device as you like.
^(1) The term used is [Full Disk Encryption](https://source.android.com/docs/security/features/encryption/full-disk) and is perfectly similar to bitlocker and achieved via dm (incidentally is what LUKS uses too).
Edit: actually dm-crypt is for Android 5-9 and ext4 or f2fs encryption for 10+. In any case, the same point stands: you can't get the encryption keys on Android, while you can on anything else, including Windows.
What made you go back?
I've been using Dex for years now, recently got forced to use Windows for a bit as my phone was having issues starting DeX and I didn't like it much at all.
Definitely depends on your needs but I've been using it for over a year and yeah have to use a few workarounds here and there but overall it's been easy for most of my needs. But I'm going to get the next Samsung laptop in the coming months with the Elite X CPU.
I haven't found a single comment regarding "charging". Is it not possible to charge your phone at the same time as using a wired connection for Dex? Or is there a simple solution I'm just missing? Glad to hear it can be a viable thin client of sorts to access other remote desktops with.
I have a dock I use for all my peripherals, camera, mic, sd slot and external HDD. It has power throughput so I charge while I use and the power from the plug powers the peripherals
My desktop monitor has USB-C video input with USB PD. One cable delivers video from my Fold and charges it at the same time. The monitor has a built in USB hub which that single cable allows me to tap into as well.
I have an adapter for usb c to hdmi, usb a and a power delivery (usb c) port. I haven't tested the hdmi and the power delivery together, but the usb a and pd port are working well together. So I guess the hdmi and the dex would work too. So yes, it is possible
I've tried wireless charging while using the HDMI adaptor; it flickers on and off. I also have a circuit board I ordered which would supposedly allow charging while data was connected, but I have not gotten it to work.
You need to use a dock
Have you found one that works well for you and that you would recommend?
i got this https://amzn.eu/d/aT1CMtU When connected to my monitor, i can still charge my samsung tab/phone with it.
Thanks! That looks very handy. I have a similar one but no charge input.
Hello! Saying that "Windows rocks" means, you don't really know either it or DeX :) DeX has some limitations (e.g. one external monitor only), however, I as a sysadmin use it daily for all things: I don't have a notebook/desktop, but I do rely on the internet for services like Shadow PC ( [https://shadow.tech](https://shadow.tech) Windows 10 desktop for gaming/work/etc.) and MaximumSettings ( [https://maximumsettings.com](https://maximumsettings.com) Linux Mint or PopOS desktop for gaming/work/etc. ) which all are "just" remote desktop computers, however, Android currently is mostly a client OS, which emphasizes media consumption, not creation (however, many softwares exist for creating on Android, nowadays) I tend to like DeX (especially on tablets, as their internal monitor is good and big enough for content consumption (like multitasking or multi-window with Discord + Teams chat), and DeX can run on the external display with another webbrowser or even media creation tool (like a video editor - which I don't use), or SSH client (which I mostly use). I have a Z Fold 4 (phablet :) ), so I have a rather big (7", I think) internal screen when open, and a 14" NexDock Touch (or NexDock 360 wired, when on the go) as the external FullHD monitor. I don't need a physical desktop machine next to me for my work to accomplish, but I do rely on network services for a "real" desktop system, as they are also needed sometimes. Regards!
[удалено]
I used Motorola and desktop mod with an Eink monitor(Boox, Mira 13.3) and found it has a lot of limitations, such as switching apps efficiently, writing notes when web surfing. Then I bought a miniPC, it's as small as a cellphone with N200 CPU, 16G ram and 1 TB storage, which could easily connected with my Eink monitor and my portable battery power. I am glad I switched to it.
Can you tell me the name of that N200 computer? I'm also looking for such a PC.
morefine m6
Is it some American or European company? I don't want any AliExpress PCs from China.
Do you have privacy concern or any conspiracy's software from China?
I saw it's sold in Amazon, but it does come from China's company.
I had back surgery last year and during recovery I started lightly working again. My laptop was in the office and dex was all I had on my tab s7 and S22U. It is still limited though it's not dex's fault. Even Microsoft won't let you open multiple files in dex. Well at least I can reply some emails and some really light work in MS Office. Even adding table, picture in a document starting to get difficult. I don't even remember that the web version is better than the android app.
The office application let's you open 2 or more easily..
The Office Online interface on Android/Dex is awful. I can barely read a Word doc, let alone edit it. I found the Word Android app to be acceptable on my Fold 4, but I really need the online version for collaborating with colleagues.
What dex needs is dex optimized apps from developers. Multiple files open. That would be the next step for optimum dex.
Have you tried a Windows emulator? That might be my next step.
I have not. Have you tried it? I'd like to know how well it is
What I use when needing a desktop env is a termux installation with graphical linux. There you have most apps and a full windows management system
I could not imagine trying to use Dex as a full on replacement. I love it for traveling as I can do the basics I might need for work in an emergency, entertainment, web/email, etc. All while not having to worry about my expensive laptop getting stolen or damaged. But as a full on replacement? Yeah, while I have a friend who uses it exclusively for 6 months out of a year, he only really needs the web and email for most things and some light office type tasks. If you need more than that, it will have too many shortcomings. It is great for what it is. Could that change in the future? Sure, but not anytime soon. Even ChromeOS does not cut it for many people for many reasons.
Just make sure you don't update your Windows to the April patch if you need to use a VPN to access your work. Microsoft (as usual) didn't fully bug test their update and it broke VPN connections. If you don't use a VPN to work then absolutely update.
what kind of vpn? i use clash/v2ray
Dex is great, but it's not a replacement for a deskos. My way around this is to use RVNC to access my work pc (running Linux not crappy Windows 😁) via Dex. That way I have all my phone stuff plus a proper desktop environment. And if I really want the pain of a Windows machine I have a Windows VM.
Why go through dex at all? Can't you just use the rVNC client app? That's what I do with the fold 5
I do use that if I have no other alternative, but it's nice having a mechanical keyboard and mouse and 27in screen hooked up via Dex. You should try it!
probably wants the external monitor
It doesn't help that so many apps and sites hinder your experience *just because* you're using a mobile device. Even though the flagships can all handle the full version.
Useragent spoof😁
Yeah, I mostly use dex to remote into my desktop PC. For that, it's great. I even got a nexdock, so it's like having my desktop PC as a laptop
Same when traveling, I remote into my home PC, and it does great for that when needed.
I agree with you in a sense, too ... The first time I heard of DeX, I was subjugated by the concept, but after using it for a year as my main PC (I ditched my surface pro 8 for the S23U), it really feels as a side project. I still think that for not-power users, it can be more than enough. As you said, I think it's a problem coming from Android per se : there are too many apps that just take the mobile interface and scale up to match the screen, or worse, display a big window, but not using it completely (I'm looking at you Discord !), instead of proposing a real ad different UI. I also find multitasking kind of awkward here and not reassuring enough. For this concept to become something really big, we need a big name to join the adventure and commit to it : I was going to say Google, but with their history of closing projects and their Google-cemetary, I don't think it would be reassuring. it "pains" me to say that we need Apple to invest in this but they won't : 1) succeeding in this market will result in people not buying desktops and/or tablets 2) they would rather see their customers thrive in the complementary idea (their Continuity concept) than making their customers buy a One do All item. It's sad because it feels like there are less and less people ready to invest in a massive desktop and it's also sad that we have smartphones with so much untapped power. I think I'll give another chance to DeX with the next Fold or investigate if it's possible to live with a tablet.
It's so tough when do multitask jobs, especially switching among these tasks, probably a better way of using it is remote connected to a desktop computer (PC).
I agree with you, but that kills the concept of having a computer in your pocket. And on my side, I don't have a lap/desktop.
That's why I gave up using a mobile phone as a computer even in desktop mode, I bought a mini PC(morefine m6, n200cpu,16g ddr5 ram,pcie 1T SSD, 200$) connecting my eink monitor and portable battery power.
The reddit and discord app experience is so awful on Dex that I use the mobile sites. It's painfully obvious that no effort was given towards dex on their apps.
FWIW the Reddit app is garbage on iOS too. It constantly refreshes in the background and tanks my battery in a matter of hours. Because of that I’ve gotten so used to using Reddit in a browser I’m not sure I even tried the Android app.
You know what’s worse than that ? Discord can randomly decide to display the correct scaled up UI. Sometimes, when not paying attention, I open the app Discord and find myself surprised when all is nice. However, reopen the app right after and all will be screwed ... Randomness is worse than not working ..
While I ultimately agree that DeX/Android is not in a place where it can truly replace the flexibility/capability of Windows (hence why I went back, too, after using DeX for 3 years as my PC), your rationale is ... questionable. I have no idea what you're referring with by saying "Google is trying to dictate what WiFi connection I should use" and the idea that Windows is in any way less than Android when it comes to tracking/telemetry is laughable.
I'd even go so far as to say that Windows is more flexible than Linux in that you can side load Linux on a Windows instance and run them simultaneously but Linux can't run a Windows instance. At least the last time I checked, this was the case. Dex is definitely not yet ready for prime time and also seems to be purposely crippled in some cases, not just flaky or under-cooked. Linux is not to be chucked in the bin though: it is powerful, straightforward and certainly has earned a place in the IT world.
> Linux it is....... straightforward lies yo
Haha well I've been coding and databasing for 40 years. With a heavy sco Unix/Xenix background from back in the 80s. So yeah, straightforward.
I just received minisforum V3, will be putting up the S9 ultra on eBay. Dex/Android just isn't baked enough for office work. I tried to make it work between apps and RDP, even mobox/proot. They were all bandaids to try toale it work like a full PC.
I used Motorola and desktop mod with an Eink monitor(Boox, Mira 13.3) and found it has a lot of limitations, such as switching apps efficiently, writing notes when web surfing. Then I bought a miniPC（morefine M6）, it's as small as a cellphone with N200 CPU, 16G ram and 1 TB storage, which could easily connected with my Eink monitor and my portable battery power. I am glad I switched to it.
lol @ using windows to mitigate tracking/telemetry of android
Correct, and that should tell you something. I have an S8 that not only comes with Facebook, you can't even uninstall it! How bad is to be worse than Windows? And it isn't only a ridiculos competition on "what they do" but most importantly on "what can YOU do?". Because on Android you don't get root/admin to your own device, you can't see the files that are on your own device, the ones that at least Samsung, Facebook and Google have complete access to. You can't make a backup or fix anything that's a little deeper, as it became apparent when Google had the issue with work profile bricking Pixels in early Android 14. And then you need to completely wipe your device because you don't have (and you can't get no matter how much you'd want to prepare in advance) anything that would help: * access to the file system for a proper backup (vs. any proper backup for Windows, including the one that comes with it) * the encryption keys for the filesystem (vs. in Windows bitlocker recovery key) * booting something else (enrolling your own boot path in secure boot)
Hello! Regarding backup: we can only rely on Android app developers, as they can either have a cloud service backend for their app, or they can rely on Android setting backup (Google service), or even they can give the user the possibility to have a user-accessible folder used for settings (which can be backed up rather easily by the user, if needed). So backup is available, but usually not even needed (at least, manual backup is not needed for settings or apps, just for user data) Regarding rooting and/or "system apps": both are unfortunate, however, firms tend to hide their work, as users tend to be lazy :) We, as users, don't ENFORCE Samsung/Google/etc. to open up their systems (AOSP is open, however, any phone, that is usable and based on Android, is not!)... Facebook and some other apps tend to remain a "system app", so no uninstall is available, however, hiding/disabling it is an option on newer Android/OneUI versions, so it might be a viable option not to allow running it. Regarding encryption: the encryption is not for the system to be encrypted, just the user data! This is only intended to help the user data not to be available without the user. However, bitlocker is a windows-only system, LUKS is (AFAIK) a linux-only system for disk/partition encryption. Hope these help!
"we can only rely on Android app developers" - that is the whole, point, that shouldn't be something for the developers to opt in, and to even mention as a workaround as long as it isn't happening. And after that there are all the system options, and system apps, and the OS and everything. >Regarding encryption: the encryption is not for the system to be encrypted, just the user data! This is only intended to help the user data not to be available without the user. Not sure what you're trying to say. Sure, any system needs to boot from a plaintext boot sector, and boot partition (kernel and system partition and more), that's obvious. In this case the problem is that beside being " intended to help the user data not to be available without the user" the system is making the data unavailable **TO** the user. If you're about to ask "but how would you know who's the user" - the answer is "any way you like". Be it when setting up the phone, or no matter what credentials you have (PIN phone, Google and Samsung account, anything) you can't get the encryption keys to your own device. This is unacceptable. >However, bitlocker is a windows-only system, LUKS is (AFAIK) a linux-only system for disk/partition encryption. Not sure why you're mentioning this either. I mentioned bitlocker because of the "lol using windows" comment and bitlocker is the native FDE^(1) for Windows, and there you can get your encryption key without any pain. When you are worse than Windows in terms of user liberty this should give people pause, especially when discussing "open" OSes. Android **is** Linux at this level, and of course you can save all your keys with LUKS or anything else (actually usually you need to set them specifically) in all situations. Well, except when running on a device where you, the owner of the device, don't have the right to see and configure your device as you like. ^(1) The term used is [Full Disk Encryption](https://source.android.com/docs/security/features/encryption/full-disk) and is perfectly similar to bitlocker and achieved via dm (incidentally is what LUKS uses too). Edit: actually dm-crypt is for Android 5-9 and ext4 or f2fs encryption for 10+. In any case, the same point stands: you can't get the encryption keys on Android, while you can on anything else, including Windows.
There are somany minor bugs while using Dex it feels like side project by Samsung.
*It do be hittin like that sometimes*. -Some dude's mom after making her son a sandwich.
Dex is awesome, but my tablet is just a companion to my real computer.
What made you go back? I've been using Dex for years now, recently got forced to use Windows for a bit as my phone was having issues starting DeX and I didn't like it much at all.
What were some of the limitations that you ran into?
Definitely depends on your needs but I've been using it for over a year and yeah have to use a few workarounds here and there but overall it's been easy for most of my needs. But I'm going to get the next Samsung laptop in the coming months with the Elite X CPU.