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Linux on Dex

linuxondex.com

181–190 of 228 posts

Re: Linux on Dex

#181
I guess I'm missing something here but I'm failing to understand why would anyone want to set up work environment using their phone? As I understand you would also need a monitor, keyboard and a mouse? Isn't it easier to just use your laptop?

Re: Linux on Dex

#182
post #13
post #8

I'm pretty sure that 90% of computer usage could be handled by the computers in our pockets.

...Except for the tiny screen and barely-usable keyboard. Desktops and even laptops make sense exactly where phones don't: large screens, large keyboards, a lot of CPU and battery. This can't fit in a pocket.

If you have an android phone try installing an X server with support for relative mouse mode. I’ve personally found most desktop apps are more usable on android this way than their native android versions (even when the android version has all the features I want which is rare.)

The battery life like this is horrible though. I’m not sure if it’s X11 or if it’s that using android’s graphics from C wastes a lot of cpu time or what.

Re: Linux on Dex

#183
post #178

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd really appreciate knowing which keyboard you're using!

He probably meant hardware keyboard. I don’t think anyone makes Bluetooth mechanical keyboards. Ok I’m apparently totally wrong about that last thing and possibly the first as well.

Actually there are many. I've been using this one [0] for around 2 years, with blue switches. Despite some bad reviews, I don't have any issue with it. It can be paired with up to 3 devices + wired USB, so I can swap from phone to desktop to media center with 2 keypresses.

[0] https://www.amazon.com/DREVO-Wireless-Bluetooth-Mechanical-S...

Re: Linux on Dex

#184
post #178

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd really appreciate knowing which keyboard you're using!

He probably meant hardware keyboard. I don’t think anyone makes Bluetooth mechanical keyboards. Ok I’m apparently totally wrong about that last thing and possibly the first as well.

https://reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/search?q=bluetooth&...

Re: Linux on Dex

#185
post #154

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Indeed. I'm on the lookout for a solid system that can boot a vanilla Linux kernel (something like an x86 laptop or ARM laptop, sub 10 inches preferably) that can make phone calls, receive SMS, and has a built in 4G modem. Does such a thing exist? I'd rather have a crap phone attached to a powerful computer, than a powerful phone that locks itself down so much that it's a crap computer.

Seems like what you describe is Purism's upcoming phone, the Librem 5.

That project makes me happy.

Also just looked at their computers that are beginning to resemble an actual alternative.

I remember another "libre" project some years ago which was very expensive and extremely clunky, probably because they wanted to use pre ME intel chips, which it seems they have compromised on now.

Anyway it's good to se alternatives catching up. I am so ready to ditch the big-data/fashion companies and i think many people are too, if just the design and eco-system catches up.

Personally i think we are less than 10 years from total dystopia if we don't create an "alternative" internet, which is actually just the standard internet without walled gardens, without tracking and with out corporate and state controlled ID systems that will end up imprisoning us all very soon with no escape.

I am from Scandinavia and here the state already tracks and cross references all kinds of data on you from health to taxes to criminal record, just as private big-data does in the US. Everyone has a state provisioned login card with serious sec flaws.

We are no doubt headed for china-like rating systems and pre-crime drone fuelled nightmares.

A large organisation that pushed both free hardware and software for the masses fast is sorely needed to avoid the ultimate tech nightmare that only the coming climate/resource collapse can otherwise save us from.

All hail either free private computing or a deus ex machina Carrington Event.

Re: Linux on Dex

#186
post #178

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd really appreciate knowing which keyboard you're using!

He probably meant hardware keyboard. I don’t think anyone makes Bluetooth mechanical keyboards. Ok I’m apparently totally wrong about that last thing and possibly the first as well.

[deleted]

Re: Linux on Dex

#187
Would you like to know what I'm not doing?

I'm not spending $700 on a locked-down linux tablet with 4GB RAM. Unfortunately I don't think I will ever be at a point where a tablet is worth more to me than 440 double cheeseburgers.

Re: Linux on Dex

#188

I want a laptop with a hole where the mouse pad should be. I want to be able to put my phone into that slot, dock it, and use the screen of my phone as the mouse pad for the laptop. I want my phone to do all the processing and work. I want the laptop dock to be an extension of my phone, running something like DEX to make the laptop experience work. The only thing I want this laptop dock to do is give me a screen, a k…

Same, although i'd rather the phone replaced the number pad than the touch pad.

Re: Linux on Dex

#189
post #127

Earlier quoted context omitted.

An HP Elite Lapdock and a Note 9 will get you 90% of the setup you want. I have that setup, it doesn't dock into a slot, it hangs on the side with a USB C cable, but the rest is just as you describe.

$300AUD+ used! Ouch. I've also been looking at https://www.asus.com/au/Monitors/MB169C-plus/ but it's not clear if I can charge my phone at the same time.

I use this as an external monitor for my Chromebook Pixel which I use when I travel. Asus provides a USB A adapter for the USB C cable. I can plug the monitor's USB C cable into a USB C hub's A port, and do power passthrough and run a keyboard and mouse off the other A ports. Assuming your C hub does power passthrough it should charge fine.

USB C hubs with power passthrough, 3 USB A ports, and an HDMI port exist too, so you could run the USB display, HDMI, and a keyboard and mouse all from a single USB C port.

It will depend on their port configuration and display link integration though. The HDMI port might try to claim the USB display bus or whatever, and I'm not sure if you can put multiple USB displays on a single port like that. One will definitely work though.

Re: Linux on Dex

#190
I'm excited by this if I can do basic dev work from just my phone with a couple of accessories. It might mean for example, I don't need to bring my laptop home from work, in case of an urgent issue.
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