My work life on my Z Fold 3... Laptop Replacement

[Talderon]

[TL;DR] - I am using my Fold 3 as a laptop replacement for work, and it works!

So, I am a DevOps Architect/Operations/Compliance/Security Specialist for this company I work for (small company, so I wear a lot of hats here).

I normally use a Windows Laptop, but EVERYTHING I support and manage is in AWS on Linux, so I thought I would just spend some time setting up my phone to see if I can truly use it as a Laptop Replacement.

The inspiration came from this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrm_VWsmMS4

I really liked this idea of a "4 Pocket Laptop", however, in my case, I managed to get it down to 3 pockets.

Regardless, it's cool enough outside for me to work outside or at home, wherever. So I decided to take my setup and see if I can use my Fold 3 to do as much work as possible without having to go back to my laptop.

So far, after 2 days, I can say, I don't "NEED" a laptop anymore for my work. I hold meetings on my phone, do all of my communication and chats from there, I can even manage all of my AWS tasks from there. Since most everything is web based and anything I need to do at the CLi, I just need a terminal (I SSH into jump boxes that have all my scripts and tools I use normally anyway), there isn't much processing power needed on my end. Just internet.

I use it in one of 2 configurations:

Portable:

BT KB and Trackpad - (https://smile.amazon.com/Bluetooth-...et-Sized-Tri-Folded/dp/B07ZRNJ4DX/ref=sr_1_19)
Portable Stand - (https://smile.amazon.com/Foldable-OMOTON-Adjustable-Aluminum-Compatible/dp/B08LDNFFSX/ref=sr_1_3)
Phone
Galaxy Buds Pro
20,000 MAh portable battery (I can work ALL DAY on this battery pack and what the phone has) - I would link this one, but I have had it for so long, I am not sure when/where I got it. I think it was a gift from a vendor if I recall. The logo rubbed off a while ago... LOL! - Also, when I am not using my phone for anything I need to SEE, I turn the display off (mostly when I am on calls that have no content shared).

-- Occasionally, I will use Wireless Dex to my TV for long video calls, especially when they are doing a lot of screen/content sharing.

Docked:

BT KB and Trackpad (see link above)
Portable Stand (see link above)
Phone
Galaxy Buds Pro
Monitor
USB-C Dock (with Ethernet, USB-3, HDMI and more)
In this config, I am connected via Ethernet
USB power

List of apps I use regularly:

Zoom/Hangouts
Outlook (work email)
MS Office (on mobile apps)
Edge Browser (this is where most of my work is done)
Slack/MS Teams
Eclipse (IDE for Dev work)
Terminal (so I can SSH into my cloud servers)
ProtonVPN (in case I need to hop on a public WiFi for emergencies and when using Cellular Data and not my home wifi network)

Now, I have hit some minor snags. When I have 30+ Edge Tabs open, 12GB of RAM can get a little tight, but getting into the habit of closing tabs that I don't need took care of this issue.

All in all, I really can't complain much. Sure, when using the phone display unfolded can get a little bit of an eye strain for long durations, but when you take a break every 30-60 mins (or more), it's not bad really. When portable, I can pretty much pick up and go anytime I need because everything I need is with me already. I am just using the portable mode to get used to it and see how actually useful it is.

Well, to wrap up this long post, I thought I would just say how freaking AWESOME this phone is and for a guy like me, having something this ultra-portable AND useful is a great thing. Because I am on so many teams and do so many thing, I am on-call pretty much 24x7x365 (if not on-call for one team, I am on-call for another and some "teams", I am the ONLY person, so I am always on-call for those) so having this handy and useful makes my life easier because I literally can work ANYWHERE I have internet, either Data or WiFi.

Hope people found this useful. or if nothing else, entertaining.

 

[Talderon]

Okay, going to spend some time working with the latest update and see if this helps at all!

https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=1032011&p=6987861&viewfull=1#post6987861

WooHoo!!!

 

[bkdodger2]

Awesome man.. I like hearing this phone is beast mode...

 

[Talderon]

Awesome man.. I like hearing this phone is beast mode...

Well, the RAM Plus in the new update is... well... AWESOME. I had every app open I need as well as well over 40 Edge tabs and no lag at all so far! Amazing how much that extra 4GB of RAM helps (even though it is not the fastest)!!!

 

[Talderon]

Found the battery bank that I have: https://smile.amazon.com/AIDEAZ-Wireless-20000mAh-Ultra-Compact-Compatible/dp/B07DWLWLC9/ref=sr_1_3

Thanks!

 

[TMavC5]

Found the battery bank that I have: https://smile.amazon.com/AIDEAZ-Wireless-20000mAh-Ultra-Compact-Compatible/dp/B07DWLWLC9/ref=sr_1_3

Thanks!

I got 20,000 mAh battery through promo with samsung during preorder.

 

[bkdodger2]

I have a cool one no longer on Amazon from Aukey.. It was a flash sale so I paid lower price


https://www.aukey.com/products/10000mah-wireless-charging-power-bank

 

[Talderon]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GVfpuWnkiw

Looks like I am upgrading my gear for my portable office.

 

[TMavC5]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GVfpuWnkiw

Looks like I am upgrading my gear for my portable office.

Been using Dex for many years as small office. Just bought M7 Monitor from Samsung and "OOOO My...." a whole new level of utilizing pocket portable.

 

[Talderon]

So, I have successfully used some tutorials online and have made myself a Portable Monitor from an old laptop I had laying around. I pulled out the display, ordered a controller board for it and put it all together in a slim case (I am still thinking abut making a different case for the screen) that houses the controller as well as the battery pack and BAM, 15.7" IPS portable monitor (2560x1440) that I can take on the road with me and it all fits in my backpack.

All in all, I now think I have the ultimate portable setup.

I am thinking about re-making the case so I can have a handle, storage for my Tablet Stand and BT Keyboard as well as my phones battery pack so I can just carry it all with the screen.

Regardless, a little DYI gumption and you can do some amazing things!

 

[Talderon]

I don't believe the phone can replace the laptop. There are many programs that can only be used on a laptop or computer. And even if it is available on the phone, it is extremely uncomfortable to use it there.

That is true, however, most of what I need to work as a Cloud Engineer, my phone can do as well as a Laptop (albeit a smaller screen).

Email - Does it very well
Office - Yup, right there too (not that I use this much)
Slack/Teams - No issues there
Web Browsing (mainly for using web based tools like our Ticketing System and the like)
Linux Shell - Perfect for this

I'll be honest, 90% of the time, I SSH into a Linux machine int he cloud and do most of my work from that jump box (as it has more tools and scripts than I keep on my phone).

Is this a Laptop replacement for EVERYONE? No, but in my case and the case of several others that have this great phone, this is all we need.

Also, in order to get this to work, I had to spend some money on other tech to carry for when I am on-call, but this is by FAR LESS than carrying a full on laptop everywhere.

 

[srgonu]

That is true, however, most of what I need to work as a Cloud Engineer, my phone can do as well as a Laptop (albeit a smaller screen).

Email - Does it very well
Office - Yup, right there too (not that I use this much)
Slack/Teams - No issues there
Web Browsing (mainly for using web based tools like our Ticketing System and the like)
Linux Shell - Perfect for this

I'll be honest, 90% of the time, I SSH into a Linux machine int he cloud and do most of my work from that jump box (as it has more tools and scripts than I keep on my phone).

Is this a Laptop replacement for EVERYONE? No, but in my case and the case of several others that have this great phone, this is all we need.

Also, in order to get this to work, I had to spend some money on other tech to carry for when I am on-call, but this is by FAR LESS than carrying a full on laptop everywhere.

This is true. I work as IT architect and recently I clicked on Ok for a bios upgrade (which needs time and could not cancel) on my PC by mistake and had to deliver stuff and attend meetings at the same time. I used Dex (connected to Samsung M7 monitor with KB and mouse) to slack, connect to zoom meetings, work on Jira, browse, check Outlook, work on excel sheets and review architecture docs without a hitch. I continued to work until I finished my deliverables and then switched to PC. This is really great and I feel the experience is much better on one UI 4.1.1.

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

I don't believe the phone can replace the laptop. There are many programs that can only be used on a laptop or computer. And even if it is available on the phone, it is extremely uncomfortable to use it there. Like, have you tried once to use the word on your phone? It is just an *** pain, not work. I've managed to write an article on it, but it took so much time that I could spend on something better. So I wish you luck transferring all your information to the new laptop.

I can't remember the last time I used a laptop or computer. I think they are talking about most people's general use, for the OP and a lot this could be a replacement for a laptop.

Sent from my SM-X800 using Tapatalk

 

[Talderon]

I was talking to one of our HR Folks and she used to be in tech but switched and she uses her Fold 4 as a Laptop Replacement and and almost never uses her laptop for work. Kinda nice to know you have that much power in your pocket.