How to Turn Your Phone Into a PC
Why Use Your Mobile as a Laptop?
Having a portable computer in your pocket at all times for any eventuality makes sense. Unfortunately, pockets aren’t big enough for even the most compact ultrabooks. Smartphones, on the other hand, slip into a pocket with ease.
This means that smartphones can be used as substitute PCs in an emergency. The limits of the small screen are no longer a problem, thanks to wireless HDMIThe real magic of this context-aware dynamic, however, is in the presentation of a desktop UI (user interface). Once displayed on a compatible TV, you won’t be looking at the phone’s current UI. Instead, a traditional, familiar desktop is presented.
How to Convert Your Mobile Phone Into a Computer
We’ve looked mostly at solutions that require a desktop UI (Android excepted). And iOS is conspicuous by its absence. But it’s fair to say that you don’t really need this. After all, your phone already has an operating system, and probably supports a mouse already.
To turn your phone into a PC, you need:
- Bluetooth keyboard and mouse
- Alternatively, a USB keyboard and mouse and a USB-OTG cable
- A display supporting wireless HDMI or screen mirroring
1. Samsung Devices Boast the DeX Desktop Mode
Perhaps the best of all options to turn a phone into a computer is afforded to Samsung owners. With a Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+, Note 8, or later (as of 2020), you have the choice of DeX. Activated from the notification tray, DeX is essentially a desktop environment for Android.
Simply connect your phone to a nearby wireless HDMI-ready display, connect the input devices, and you’re ready to work. DeX gives you access to all of the usual Android productivity apps, in windowed mode.
2. Carry a Linux PC in Your Pocket With Ubuntu Touch
Ubuntu Touch is a Linux-based operating system for smartphones. Managed by the UBports team, Ubuntu Touch runs on the following devices:
Officially, Ubuntu Touch runs (and is supported) on:
- Fairphone 2
- LG Nexus 5 (2013)
- OnePlus One
A key feature of Ubuntu Touch is the Convergence system. Like Samsung DeX, this is a desktop environment, activated when the phone is connected to an external display.
When the phone is connected over wireless HDMI to a TV, the UI is a full Ubuntu desktop. The operating system comes pre-installed with various tools, including LibreOffice. Having a smartphone that is ready to use as a desktop at a moment’s notice is excellent for productivity!
3. Turn Any Android Phone into a Desktop Computer With Maru OS
In 2016, Android overtook Windows as the most-used consumer operating system on the planet. It makes sense, therefore, to explore its potential as a desktop OS.
Maru OS is an Android fork that currently only runs on a few models. So, if you can get hold of the Nexus 5 (2013) or Nexus 5X (2015), you should get good results. Beta versions are available for the Nexus 6P and Google Pixel handsets. This is a full operating system that must be installed in place of or alongside Android.
4. Enjoy an Android Desktop With Sentio
Previously known as Andromium OS, this solution works reasonably well as a desktop environment running on Android.
While you can use a display, Sentio benefits from the addition of the Superbook hardware. This is a sort of laptop/dock combination that uses your smartphone as its brain.
5. Just Want a Desktop Launcher? Try Leena Desktop UI
Leena Desktop UI is essentially a desktop-themed launcher for Android. With a macOS-like dock, Leena features a native file manager, browser, video player, PDF viewer, and more.
It also supports connections over docking stations, screen mirroring, or “casting” and lets you use Android apps in desktop windows. Essentially a low-fidelity version of Sentio, Leena Desktop UI is available as a premium app.
