Do you use Samsung Dex monitor, mouse and keyboard with other devices?

[acsurfer]

From my understanding of Samsung Dex, it needs a monitor, mouse and keyboard.

1. Users of Dex, do you just setup a monitor, mouse and keyboard for Dex only? When you are not using Dex, do you use the monitor, mouse and keyboard for other purpose?

2. Can I use Dex to transfer files from phone to Windows 10 PC? (like the function of a usb cable to move/copy files)

3. Can I use my existing Windows 10 desktop monitor, mouse and keyboard with Dex? Do I need to unplug and plug in the monitor, mouse and keyboard cables every time I want to use my Windows 10 desktop and every time I want to use Dex?

4. Do you guys find Samsung SideSync less hassle than Dex?

Thanks

 

[chanchan05]

1. I don't use Dex because I don't find it practical, but yes you can use the peripherals for something else. Dex can use your TV as it's monitor, and then you can use it as a TV when not used as Dex.

2. No. Because Dex isn't connected to a PC. There's nowhere to transfer to.

3. Yes. The keyboard, monitor and mouse plug into Dex. Dex does not plug into the PC CPU. The power requirement for Dex cannot be met by the USB port on your computer.

4. It seems to me you're confused on how Dex works. It's not a dock to connect your phone to PC. Basically Dex turns your phone into the equivalent of a PC CPU. If that's not what you're looking for, just buy a generic dock and use SideSync with mouse and keyboard extension enabled in the settjngs.

 

[acsurfer]

A) What do most people use Dex for?
I saw some videos demo and it seems like it is just a reorganized interface of the whole phone and the benefit is the app window can expand fully to occupy the whole monitor.

B) It seems like a HDMI cable connecting a monitor to the phone, and the phone connected with keyboard and mouse via bluetooth/otg would do the job like Dex too? (except that the interface and icons position is still exactly the same as the phone)
Or use smart phone screen mirroring with chromecast like this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=331...21uim2nzggqeow3kqj3pw03c010c.1503570839429122 with keyboard and mouse connected to the phone via bluetooth/otg would do the job like Dex too?

C) Is SideSync or AirDroid a better app? Is there any better app to access the phone other than SideSync?

Thanks.

 

[chanchan05]

Not really sure what people use it for. To be honest haven't met anyone who does.

Possibly you could do that, but personally I have no inclination to do anyway.

As for Sidesync, I find it awesome. Lol. But that entirely depends on what you want to do. Seems it can do everything you want though. Control the phone, and access it's contents on your PC, including transfer files. The best thing about sidesync is that it would let you unlock the phone. This means if you break the screen, you can use sidesync to remote control the phone and retrieve your stuff before sending it for repair.

 

[acsurfer]

How does sidesync unlock the phone if you are using fingerprint or face scan sensor unlocking method?

Can sidesync work wirelessly without connecting a usb cable from desktop to phone?

 

[chanchan05]

1. Even if you use fingerprint or face unlock, you will still have a backup pin or pattern in case you're bored and don't want to use fingerprint or face. Your phone won't let you have no backup. This is in case for example your finger is wounded or the scanner is broken. Sidesync will display the connect and display the lockscreen and you can type your passcode on the PC. Other third party apps like Mobizen and AirDroid can't get past the lockscreen.

Actually, even if the phone is projected to your PC, if you put your finger on the scanner, the phone will still unlock. You'll just be seeing the screen on the PC.

2. Yes. I don't use wires with my phone and PC. As long as they are on the same WiFi network, they can connect. It's slower than a wired connection obviously, and the program will warn you accordingly.

 

[acsurfer]

@chanchan05 , do you have a list of all apps that you use/like/dislike? I like your answers and I think the apps you use would be good. Maybe I can discover some useful apps from your experience. Thanks.

 

[chanchan05]

Hmm. 1st thing I do with a new phone is install the following:

1. Swiftkey Keyboard
2. Nova Launcher +Nova Prime Unlocker + Tesla Unread
3. Textra
4. Spotify
5. Lifesum
6. Expense Manager by Bishinews
7. Ticktick
8. OneNote
9. GoodTime (pomodoro timer)
10. Waze
11. Bookari
12. Kindle for Samsung (the one from Galaxy Store, not Google Play Store. The Galaxy version gives one free book monthly)
13. OneDrive
14. Dropbox
15. Cerberus

Those are my must have apps. Well I have a few more must haves but they're work related.

MIMS
Medscape
QxCalculate
PediSTAT
Ped(z)
UpToDate

If you have a social media presence, I use Hootsuite (free account) for Twitter. Then I have the Facebook app and Messenger. Hootsuite is awesome because unlike normal Twitter apps, this one lets you select which tweets go to Facebook and which don't. Other apps and official Twitter are all or nothing.

Those are the apps that follow me from phone to phone.


PS: I don't remember which of these apps are fully free, but I paid for the ones that aren't or have a premium option.

 

[ptravel]

From my understanding of Samsung Dex, it needs a monitor, mouse and keyboard.

1. Users of Dex, do you just setup a monitor, mouse and keyboard for Dex only? When you are not using Dex, do you use the monitor, mouse and keyboard for other purpose?

I haven't had Dex long, but I found that it works well with DisplayLink USB monitors. It has to be used with a powered USB hub, but it makes everything a lot more portable. DisplayLink has a driver for Android.

2. Can I use Dex to transfer files from phone to Windows 10 PC? (like the function of a usb cable to move/copy files)

Well, yes, but not in the way you're thinking. ES File Explorer for Android can access drives on a LAN. My Note 8/Dex sits on my LAN at home (works with either ethernet or WiFi) and I can access all the drives on my other machines, including my Win10 computers and my NASes.

3. Can I use my existing Windows 10 desktop monitor, mouse and keyboard with Dex? Do I need to unplug and plug in the monitor, mouse and keyboard cables every time I want to use my Windows 10 desktop and every time I want to use Dex?

Yes, if you're using the same keyboard and mouse. Most modern monitors have multiple inputs. If you connect Dex to the monitor's HDMI port and connect your Win10 computer to the DVI or DisplayPort input, you can switch between the two on the monitor. Keyboards and mouses are cheap. I use a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse with Dex.

4. Do you guys find Samsung SideSync less hassle than Dex?

I found SideSync to be more of a hassle. It depends on how you use your phone.

 

[jimmy jones3]

From my understanding of Samsung Dex, it needs a monitor, mouse and keyboard.

Yes.

1. Users of Dex, do you just setup a monitor, mouse and keyboard for Dex only? When you are not using Dex, do you use the monitor, mouse and keyboard for other purpose?

I set up a wireless keyboard and mouse, but I did not go with Bluetooth. This way when I disconnect the phone from the Dex station, I don't have to shut down my keyboard and mouse as well. They disconnect and my on-screen keyboard functions as usual. Also, if you get the combo it only takes a single USB port and looks so much better.

2. Can I use Dex to transfer files from phone to Windows 10 PC? (like the function of a usb cable to move/copy files)

I will try this in a few different ways and see what I come up with.

3. Can I use my existing Windows 10 desktop monitor, mouse and keyboard with Dex? Do I need to unplug and plug in the monitor, mouse and keyboard cables every time I want to use my Windows 10 desktop and every time I want to use Dex?

You'd have to get a KVM switch if you didn't want to have to unplug and re-plug everything every time.
https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...%2F5789500.p%3FskuId%3D5789500&token=fUfv5fUy

4. Do you guys find Samsung SideSync less hassle than Dex?

SideSync never worked reliably for me and seems pointless with all the clouds out there.

 

[Est1957]

1. Use your PC with a USB cable to your Phone. When you are done, disconnect the USB cable

2. Transfer Files? Yes. Drag and drop!!
I have 2 monitors so it's easy, otherwise you would have to have both Dex window and Explorer windows open at the same time.

3. It's as simple as connecting and opening a Dex window. You can mimimize the Dex window and work from your PC, back and forth between Win <--> Dex