Unlock the Ultimate PC Experience: Why I Reluctantly Falle For Samsung DeX’s Top-Rated Rivals
The Rise of Link to Windows: A DeX Alternative for Samsung
When Samsung announced changes to its DeX feature as part of its One UI 7.0 rollout, I panicked momentarily. I thought Samsung was pulling a Google and sending DeX to the tech graveyard, but I’m pleased to report that’s not the case. Instead, Samsung is only ending support for its DeX for PC app, which, coincidentally, is the only part of DeX I regularly use. Thankfully, that dreaded day hasn’t arrived yet, and I have time to explore alternatives. One of the most promising ones is Microsoft’s Link to Windows.
As it turns out, Samsung has adopted Link to Windows, and it makes sense. Samsung has collaborated with Microsoft in recent years, integrating bits of Office and OneDrive into its latest Galaxy launches. But can Link to Windows keep me in good hands?
Is Link to Windows just DeX for everyone?
In my initial experience, I wondered if Link to Windows would function similarly to DeX. Most importantly, I questioned whether it would allow for seamless app control on my laptop. While the Pixel 9 Pro and Galaxy Z Flip 6 both receive largely the same set of features, there’s a significant difference: Samsung’s interface enables you to control apps on your phone from your laptop display, mirroring the original DeX experience. It’s not quite the same as DeX, but you can still access games like Block Blast or cast your phone’s home screen and control it with your mouse and keyboard.
A more strategic gaming experience
Honestly, I’m not sure how much use I’d get out of traditional keyboard controls with a touch-based game like Block Blast, but I could see it coming in handy for more strategic games that require placing units or building cities – games I’d probably play on a laptop anyway. I’ve also noticed that I like using Link to Windows to manage my Strava updates; it’s just so much easier to choose my perceived effort, type out flybys, and manage my collection of running shoes with a simple point and click.
Extra settings for Samsung Galaxy devices
A few extra settings appear on my Galaxy Z Flip 6 when paired with my ThinkPad, allowing me to share nearby Bluetooth devices with my laptop, connect the two via mobile data for a more reliable connection, or even create an instant hotspot when other data isn’t available. I haven’t explored Link to Windows for this yet, but I imagine it works like a more shareable form of mobile data connection.
A new direction for Samsung DeX
In the end, I’m surprised – I don’t think I’ll miss DeX for PC much at all. While I might be as guilty as anyone of resisting change, Link to Windows seems like a good substitute for the parts of DeX I liked, even if it doesn’t cover every last aspect of Samsung’s connected experience. Now, if only Link to Windows could rival the capabilities of Apple’s iPhone Mirroring…
