I guess it depends on your use case. If you have a proper table you’re right. If you want to have a purely hand held device for places like a crowded subway an integrated keyboard would be superior, I guess.
I do tend to use various phones for multiple tasks as well.
That being said, bluetooth fold-out keyboards were never a viable option for me (starting with some early folding ones for Palm handhelds etc up to the current Logitech Key-To-Go that isn’t foldabe but portable).
My biggest problem with all of them was, that I use mobile devices mainly via commuting and it is just not really usable on your lap without the phone falling out or it being really shaky.
A builtin keyboard might not be as comfortable as a separate bluetooth one, but it is fixed on your phone.
A notable exclusion of the “external keyboards don’t work when commuting” is the ipad Pro with a Smart Keyboard - the magnets are holding it in place as good as a fixed one. (Can’t say anything about the magic keyboard but I assume similar)
edit: i actually wrote about my experience using the iPad here - not really using it “fullblown” with a VM and stuff ondevice like you do but rather as a remote shell: https://www.shift-2.com/journal/my-current-setup-learning-and-developing-rust
I’d love that so much. Until then, there’s the PinePhone as well as the Librem 5, but there’s a reason I buy laptops from System76 instead of PINE64 and Purism. I’m looking for reasonable power at a reasonable price.
This looks pretty interesting, I bought an S20 Ultra last month had it almost feels underutilized as a smartphone for just browsing, twitter, reddit etc…
Have you looked at DEX? https://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/what-is/samsung-dex/ Which may be a similar desk-bound method of doing what you want, my guess is that when running a terminal in an OS on the phone will likely need a larger screen to be comfortable so DEX may be an option.
I don’t quite see the benefit of the DEX since I simply use Smart View to get my phone screen onto my 56” TV - and with the bluetooth keyboard, I have all I need for that setup. And when I’m at a customer’s office, it’s just the same - Smart View to any monitor and fliping out the bt keyboard, and off I go.
But, as others have pointed out - a built-in keyboard would be better on the bus or subway.
Have you tried Dex yourself? If so, how do you like it? It’s tempting to buy the dock as a fun accessory, but I’m not sure how much I’d actually use it.
I have not, similar to the OP I use Smart View from phone to TV but usually only for quick videos or something. I haven’t tried working/writing something on the phone and TV.
I believe most modern Dex-enabled phones can render the Dex interface over a USB-C cable (or a USB-C to HDMI cable). No need to buy the dock to play around with it!
Ok, now bring back phones with an integrated hardware keyboard like the HTC desire Z.
My experience is that a fold-out bluetooth keyboard is much more comfortable and better.
I guess it depends on your use case. If you have a proper table you’re right. If you want to have a purely hand held device for places like a crowded subway an integrated keyboard would be superior, I guess.
I do tend to use various phones for multiple tasks as well. That being said, bluetooth fold-out keyboards were never a viable option for me (starting with some early folding ones for Palm handhelds etc up to the current Logitech Key-To-Go that isn’t foldabe but portable). My biggest problem with all of them was, that I use mobile devices mainly via commuting and it is just not really usable on your lap without the phone falling out or it being really shaky. A builtin keyboard might not be as comfortable as a separate bluetooth one, but it is fixed on your phone.
A notable exclusion of the “external keyboards don’t work when commuting” is the ipad Pro with a Smart Keyboard - the magnets are holding it in place as good as a fixed one. (Can’t say anything about the magic keyboard but I assume similar) edit: i actually wrote about my experience using the iPad here - not really using it “fullblown” with a VM and stuff ondevice like you do but rather as a remote shell: https://www.shift-2.com/journal/my-current-setup-learning-and-developing-rust
Is it possible to use the one you linked on one’s laps? Or would I need a proper desk for that?
does system76 do smartphones?
I’d love that so much. Until then, there’s the PinePhone as well as the Librem 5, but there’s a reason I buy laptops from System76 instead of PINE64 and Purism. I’m looking for reasonable power at a reasonable price.
if you’re looking for mobile computer, search for that instead of phone.
I haven’t found anything better than my phone :-)
This looks pretty interesting, I bought an S20 Ultra last month had it almost feels underutilized as a smartphone for just browsing, twitter, reddit etc…
Have you looked at DEX? https://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/what-is/samsung-dex/ Which may be a similar desk-bound method of doing what you want, my guess is that when running a terminal in an OS on the phone will likely need a larger screen to be comfortable so DEX may be an option.
I don’t quite see the benefit of the DEX since I simply use Smart View to get my phone screen onto my 56” TV - and with the bluetooth keyboard, I have all I need for that setup. And when I’m at a customer’s office, it’s just the same - Smart View to any monitor and fliping out the bt keyboard, and off I go.
But, as others have pointed out - a built-in keyboard would be better on the bus or subway.
Have you tried Dex yourself? If so, how do you like it? It’s tempting to buy the dock as a fun accessory, but I’m not sure how much I’d actually use it.
I have not, similar to the OP I use Smart View from phone to TV but usually only for quick videos or something. I haven’t tried working/writing something on the phone and TV.
I believe most modern Dex-enabled phones can render the Dex interface over a USB-C cable (or a USB-C to HDMI cable). No need to buy the dock to play around with it!
I feel like someone should mention the Gemini PDA.