gauvins

There was a fairly recent thread where the merits of various computing configurations were discussed (among other things )

Has anyone used a dex setup? (Recent Samsung models can be used in PC mode). I am planning to ditch my laptop and go dex for my work . Was wondering if this is viable and which setup would be better on tour, when you have to keep an eye on office work or similar things.

Tourist in MSN

I was hoping someone would post an explanation of a Dex system.

I carried a 10 inch netbook (Lenovo S10) on one tour. Then carried a 7 inch android tablet on several tours after that. Now for bike touring I carry a 5.5 inch android phone that is almost as good as the tablet. I carry some stronger reading glasses so I can look at detail on the phone screen maps, etc..

If I am traveling where weight and bulk is not an issue (meaning not bike touring or camping) I carry a small bluetooth mouse and bluetooth keyboard to use with my 7 inch android tablet. I really get frustrated with the tiny little android keyboard with my fat fingers. Thus, prefer an external keyboard.

gauvins

I'll update when I have firsthand experiences. In the meantime you may want to look at these videos. (complete kit vs nexDock).

I am searching for a small (11 inch?) portable display that can be used in portrait and landscape modes. Not obvious -- the market is for 15.6 and above; smaller displays tend to be old, wide bezels, no usb-c, etc.

Tourist in MSN

Thanks, the video explained it. Where I was using my small portable external keyboard and mouse with Bluetooth, you are trying to do something similar but also add a good size display.

superdex

I'd love to go touring. That setup looks sweet. if it were me, I'd just go with an android tablet and call it done?

DanBell

Pretty interesting stuff. Thanks for the links to the videos explaining. I did not know this kind of system existed, but it makes sense to me. I think this kind of setup would only be useful to me if I were needing to keep up with work while on a tour or if I were trying to edit videos or maintain a complex tour journal website. For most other tasks including maintaining a simpler tour journal you can do it reasonably comfortably with a smartphone and BT keyboard. There's a lot of computing capability here that I personally don't have a use for while on tour. A smartphone covers all my bases. Cool system though, can definitely see the utility.

staehpj1

That pretty much sums up my initial reaction as well, except my needs may be even simpler these days. For me the naked android phone covers my needs pretty well. The next step up in size/capability for me would be either a tablet or one of those phone models that blur the distinction between tablet and phone. Then, I am not sure I wouldn't jump straight to a lightweight laptop if I needed more. That last is a moot point since that no longer has any chance of happening in my life. It might have back before I was retired. These days I don't have a job and am unlikely to get too ambitious about journaling or other online stuff. Even at home I find I need very little computing power/capability these days.

djb

salut gauvins, hope you are well.
Funny, but when I saw the title, all I could think of is this product that I use for filling in holes etc when painting, and have always heard it referred to as "Dex"
If you ever do any house painting, its a great product, is pink on application, and then turns white as it quickly dries, so you know when you can sand it before putting on some primer paint

https://www.dap.com/dap-products-ph/drydex-spackling/

back to your regular programming of tech stuff.......