I replaced my laptop with S24 Ultra for 21 days

People & Blogs

Introduction

For the next 21 days, I'm going to replace my laptop with this phone and see if I can survive. I tried doing actual paid client video editing work, backup footages, and all admin work on it. Whilst I wait for my perfect laptop, which is like a monitor specifically made for Dex, I figured out a way to do the same thing on my iPad and wife's setup while she makes art. That's what she does now. Hey boys, I have a setup here: HDMI in, then plug this HDMI in, then plug this guy in, and then I can use the iPad. Look at me having the time of my life, and look how boring my wife's setup is. It's called Simple.

This is my life now. We need to beat 12,000 likes and 1,000 comments on this video, and my wife will use the S24 Ultra. Deal? She said she'll do it. I had a bunch of photos that needed to be edited, and instead of using Dex, this S Pen Snapdragon combo on this flat screen was amazing. It totally smashed raw 42-megapixel photos. Then I just plugged it back into Dex mode and uploaded it to Google Photos for the group to see. It was a seamless experience.

One thing about Samsung, whether you love them or hate them, is that they have the courage to try just about anything that sounds cool on paper. This is probably how the Dex mode was invented behind the scenes:

Simplifying the Cable Setup

I consulted Tech with Benefits, a YouTube channel run by a guy named Daniel, who helped me understand Dex thoroughly. His simplest cable setup recommendation was a USB-C to HDMI adapter. The absolutely simplest one is C to C.

Video Editing with Dex

I wanted to test if Dex could handle video editing. I edited raw 4K videos from an incredible Café above the water. Would you believe it actually works? Even if it doesn't, the fact that I could attempt it on a phone is pretty gangster. Unfortunately, Dex struggled with high-end video files from my cinema camera (FX6) as the Luma Fusion app didn’t support MXF files well. However, it handled MP4 files absolutely fine.

Figma and Icon Design on Dex

I spent the next 14 days using Dex exclusively, even creating custom icon packs. Samsung Dex handled Figma perfectly for designing those icons. My experience using Dex for the first 14 days has been a mix of amazing possibilities and certain limitations.

Final Verdict

Using Dex isn’t for everyone. If you have a powerful desktop setup but no laptop, Dex would be a great alternative. If you're traveling and don’t need to do heavy-duty work, Dex can replace bulky laptops. However, the current limitations, like lacking support for specific video editing software, make it unfeasible for intensive tasks.

After the Test

After the 21-day test, I had to revert to my MacBook Pro for complex video edits. Yet, when my laptop was occupied uploading large client files, I resorted to Dex again. Dex's ability to connect wirelessly to my monitor allowed me to multitask, even enabling my daughter to play games while I worked on scripts simultaneously.

Samsung Dex has room to grow but already provides significant utility. It's more than capable for light to moderate computing tasks and can be a great backup when your main machine is unavailable.

Keywords

  • Samsung Dex
  • S24 Ultra
  • Video Editing
  • Figma
  • Luma Fusion
  • USB-C to HDMI
  • Mobile Productivity

FAQ

Q: Can Samsung Dex completely replace a laptop? A: No, it can handle many tasks, but it struggles with intensive applications like professional video editing due to software limitations.

Q: What is the simplest setup for using Dex mode? A: The simplest setup is using a USB-C to HDMI adapter, as recommended by Tech with Benefits.

Q: Is Dex ideal for traveling? A: Yes, Dex is a great solution for traveling, especially if you have access to a monitor or TV since it provides a desktop-like experience.

Q: Can you edit videos on Dex? A: Yes, but it's best for lighter video editing tasks. High-end video files from cinema cameras might pose compatibility issues with the current apps available.

Q: How does Dex handle admin tasks and design work? A: Dex excels at admin work like emails, Google Sheets, and light design tasks in Figma.

Q: What unique feature did you find most useful about Dex? A: The ability to connect Dex wirelessly to a monitor and use the phone for other tasks simultaneously was particularly impressive.

Q: Did Dex get hot or lag during heavy use? A: Surprisingly, the phone didn't get hot even during intensive tasks, and performance remained smooth.