On the road: How two designers got rid of their hardware baggage | Figma Blog (opens in new tab)
A simple Samsung-based setup can replace a laptop for user research, design collaboration, and even editing Figma files while traveling. By combining a Samsung phone or tablet with Chrome, a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and either a DeX dock or Chromecast, designers can work from almost any monitor or TV. The approach reduces equipment, cost, and barriers to entering the design profession. ## A Lightweight Mobile Figma Setup - Recommended hardware includes: - Samsung Galaxy S8/S9 models or a Samsung Tab 2 - A DeX dock, USB-C-to-HDMI converter, or Chromecast - Bluetooth keyboard and mouse - Designers can open Figma in Chrome on a mobile device and broadcast it to a larger display. - Prototype links can be shared with users or clients, who open them on their own computers or tablets. ## Remote User Research Without a Laptop - Josh Goodwin previously carried multiple laptops and tablets loaded with Sketch or Adobe software for medical user testing. - With Figma, he can connect his phone to an available hospital monitor and let doctors interact with prototypes in their own browsers. - Feedback can be incorporated immediately during testing, allowing development teams to move faster. ## Lowering the Cost of Design Work - The setup can provide a practical alternative for students, designers in emerging markets, or anyone on a limited budget. - A smartphone and inexpensive television may be enough to design and collaborate without a high-end laptop. - Tyrale Bloomfield uses a Samsung tablet alone for creative-direction work, sometimes commenting with his fingers instead of using a mouse. ## Why Hardware Compatibility Matters - Samsung devices performed best in the authors’ testing because they adjust DPI when projecting to a larger screen, providing an appropriate amount of workspace. - The device, browser, and input hardware must correctly distinguish mouse clicks from finger touches. - Some systems interpret all input as touch, preventing essential actions such as resizing objects, using bounding boxes, or clicking and dragging. - The designers tested many phones and roughly 30 browsers before finding a reliable combination. The article’s practical recommendation is to prioritize a compatible Android device, browser, and pointing device rather than assuming any mobile setup will work. With the right combination, a browser and Internet connection can support much of a designer’s full workflow while eliminating substantial hardware baggage.