How to convert the new Samsung Galaxy Note 9 smartphone into a PC for as low as Rs 500

Samsung's all-new phablet Galaxy Note 9 has a unique capability that no other flagship smartphone launched so far offers. It can 'convert' into a PC. Samsung has been tinkering with this idea of a mobile-first PC for quite some time. It introduced Samsung DeX dock with the Galaxy S8 in 2016. In 2017, Samsung improved the Dex dock PC experience with the Galaxy S9 by introducing a trackpad (works like mouse) feature on the Galaxy S9 itself when it was connected to Dex.

While the idea of converting a capable smartphone into a full-fledged PC by just connecting it to a monitor via dock sounds interesting, the real problem was in getting people to buy the dock. Samsung DeX costs around Rs 10,000 in India. In a price sensitive market, DeX docked couldn't grab attention as a low-powered Windows notebooks were available for as low as Rs 12,000. This was accompanied by the popular belief that smartphones can never really replace a laptop. However, the story is different with Galaxy Note 9.

Samsung has, in a way killed, the DeX dock with the launch of the Galaxy Note 9. With the new Galaxy Note 9, you no longer need a DeX dock separately to convert it into a PC. The DeX is integrated in the phone itself. All you need to do is just buy any USB Type-C to HDMI adapter to connect the Galaxy Note 9 to a monitor.

A Rs 500 dongle to 'turn' the Galaxy Note 9 a PC

A USB Type-C to HDMI adapter is priced as low as Rs 500 in India and can be bought from any e-commerce website. There are branded ones that cost around Rs 2,000. Once you use the adapter to connect the Galaxy Note 9 to a monitor (or TV) , the phone will work independently while you get the option to show whatever content you want on the TV. You can also use the trackpad on the Galaxy Note 9 if you need a mouse and there is a virtual keyboard as well. So, for as low as Rs 500, you get a working PC.

For serious regular PC usage, you can even opt to buy the Samsung Dex Pad accessory at a price of Rs 8,000. The Dex Pad offers two USB ports and one HDMI. On one of the USB ports, you can opt to connect a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse combo while on the other USB port you can connect an external hard drive. There is a dedicated HDMI port and you can simply connect the HDMI cable to it. Note that you don't need the USB Type-C to HDMI dongle if you use the DeX pad. However, for both these connectivity options you would a HDMI cable.

Samsung is looking at pitching this idea of a mobile workforce to enterprises. Instead of providing workstations, companies can just provide a Galaxy Note 9 along with the DeX Pad and USB Type-C to HDMI dongle. While the executive carry their official data on their Note 9 during travel, they can simply connect the device to any TV or monitor at their workplace. This could eliminate the need to carry laptops for some departments that do not require high-end laptops.