Poll: Would you use your smartphone as your main computer?
The latest flagships from Samsung and Huawei make much of the fact that they can be connected to PC peripherals and used as a desktop. But who's really excited for this?
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Modern flagship phones pack some seriously powerful hardware for mobile devices, more than enough to take care of the average person's daily computing needs such as web browsing, multimedia and word processing. So it seems only logical that our smartphones try and usurp the traditional home PC.
There's certainly something appealing about replacing the clunky box PC with something easily portable, especially if you do a lot of work on the go, or you get frustrated with having to switch between your home and mobile device.
The main solutions on offer come from Samsung, with its DeX dock that can connect the S8, S8+ or Note 8 to PC peripherals, and the Huawei Mate 10 Pro, which doesn't even need a dock to serve as your desktop computer. We've been excited about the possibilities offered by these powerful devices, and have tested out Samsung's DeX with both the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy Note 8. We've also tried out the Huawei Mate 10 Pro as desktop.
In all cases we've been impressed by the possibilities, although it still feels like this kind of functionality needs more development, especially when it comes to apps. But this kind of development will follow if there's enough user interest, so we ask you, the AndroidPIT community, what you think:
Obviously, for hardcore gamers, video editors, and other power users, even a powerful flagship smartphone as a home PC would be out of the question, but for most people it could be very convenient.
Could you see yourself using your mobile device as your main desktop too? Do you already? Tell us the reason for your answer in the comments!
I wander from phone to tablet to Chromebook depending on what I'm doing, and where. Having one "main" device is an anachronistic and limited way to live your life.
yes and have been since 2013...
each to their own..
never not once did I feel the need for a PC not then and not now,
never really used a PC professionally or had the time personally or the need.
it was android that changed my perception..
in 2013 lots of choice, cheap and accessible, and some mobile devices with a large screen (5" plus) that were larger than at the time the far too small iPhone 5..
I got an android tablet first, but
it's having a portable hand held browser in the palm of my hand that was most compelling and liberating..
and still is.
give it a few more years and the question will be completely irrelevant, the whole world has decided to be mobile friendly, most sites and services I access are easily used on mobile and no issues..
it's also a matter of increased support for mobile and connectivity,
gps works because of satellites..
massive amounts of investment in telecoms and wi fi and mobile friendly software and no sign of slowing down..
personally my idea of productive multi tasking is standing in my workshop cup of tea in one hand and phablet in the other..
Nope. I like the size of my laptop screen, and I like a full keyboard.
Dex let's you use a full keyboard
I would use only my phone if I could but at times I use a tablet for the larger screen. My work provides a laptop and an iPhone but many of the things we have to do can only be done via the laptop. Personally I like doing almost everything on my phone or tablet. I have a netbook collecting dust now but used it a lot 7 years ago.
I've not used a PC/laptop for years, in that time I have rarely found the need for using a PC.
Though ironically my Samsung Gear IconicX earbuds can only be upgraded via a PC, which is absolutely ridiculous.
I use my Tablet (Samsung Tab S2) for any office related work (letter writing, Excel spreadsheet etc), both my tablet and phone are connected to my printer, using Microsoft 360 covers all requirements.
I have a wireless SSD drive for backup storage, I have a Samsung DVD player/recorder which allows me to burn CD/DVD (though it's been over a year since I last needed to use it).
My tablet easily manages all my multimedia usage, including converting video to mp3.
I use the excellent File Manager "X-plore" which gives me full control over internal storage, SD card and cloud storage.
Maybe if I was into high resource gaming or editing then maybe a PC would be more useful, though I suspect that there won't be much that only a PC can do.
Now with the advent of the AI and Smart Homes there will be less and less need for a PC.
"Death to the PC"
Peace 🖖🏼
My Note 8 is my main man. My 2 year old Lap top is collecting dust!
This article is old been using my phone for main now for years now with the note8 in my hands now computer wht My phone 99 % of the time computer 1% only to print stuff and bearly need to do tht at times
Phones can be good for the internet ,but it's a lot harder reading all the descriptions on items you are buying,that is why laptops,pc/tablets are still more popular when wanting to purchase something, I will look for items on my phone and then when I am at home,read all the descriptions the seller is offering an communating with the seller is easier on my laptop making sure I am buying the correct item from a honest seller,like the layout on Ebay on my phone is totally different from my laptop and find my laptop easier to use and chose the items I want to buy
All I have to do on my computer can do it over the phone, using the office package built into it. Also the email ...
I have a Moto G5 Plus and I don't use anything else now apart from my phone. I find that I can do everything I need to do on it without having to use tablets or pcs well. space saving and can do anything on the go. Perfect!
I still use my computer much more for internet and gaming than my phone. Mainly because screen size and speed. Even the largest screen phones can not compare to a wide screen monitor. While mobile gaming is ok for a passing the time while waiting. It still does not compare to PC gaming not even close.
Yea there are definitely exceptions..
a friend of mine is a gamer, heavily invested in hardware over the years..
any trip to his house and gaming is like stepping into wonderland, I asked him about the Razer phone he just fell about laughing..
I use my Pixel 2 XL for almost everything now.. For extra security reasons, I use my Chromebook for all my financial things though