topic Galaxy Book Flex alpha S Pen support in Computers

Galaxy Book Flex alpha S Pen support

user11wcRkF7ko — Thu, 28 May 2020 01:19:56 GMT

I just got my Flex alpha 13 with the I 7. The screen is beautiful. Some reviews, and the user manual, seem to suggest that it supports the S Pen.

Can anyone tell me if that is true?

If F, what pen should I get?

Thanks for any answers.

Re: Galaxy Book Flex alpha S Pen support

Anonymous — Fri, 29 May 2020 00:40:14 GMT

The Galaxy Book Flex alpha does not support an S Pen.

Re: Galaxy Book Flex alpha S Pen support

usercoxe3Qaxpx — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 20:32:06 GMT

Dear SamsungLou,

You are saying the Flex Alpha does not support the S-Pen. The Flex Alpha manual clearly states that it does (albeit the pen is not included), and the manual shows a chassis slot for the S-Pen. The Samsung online spec only says the S-Pen is not included but doesn't say wether or not it is supported but optional, doesn't show a slot, and doesn't list the pen as an accessory. The the online specs have had several blatant errors so the Samsung spec writers are not credible. The Samsung Experience stores are closed so it is impossible to physically try it out. Given the conflicting specs and confusion within Samsung (on something very basic), how can we rely on your information as correct? What are you basing your response on?

Re: Galaxy Book Flex alpha S Pen support

SamsungCaleb — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 21:51:29 GMT

My apologies not all models of the Galaxy Book Flex Alpha support the s pen. Depending on the exact model you have it may not support it.

Re: Galaxy Book Flex alpha S Pen support

user2YPku52WKK — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 23:12:18 GMT

@usercoxe3Qaxpx wrote:
Dear SamsungLou,
You are saying the Flex Alpha does not support the S-Pen. The Flex Alpha manual clearly states that it does (albeit the pen is not included), and the manual shows a chassis slot for the S-Pen. The Samsung online spec only says the S-Pen is not included but doesn't say wether or not it is supported but optional, doesn't show a slot, and doesn't list the pen as an accessory. The the online specs have had several blatant errors so the Samsung spec writers are not credible. The Samsung Experience stores are closed so it is impossible to physically try it out. Given the conflicting specs and confusion within Samsung (on something very basic), how can we rely on your information as correct? What are you basing your response on?

I sympathize with your frustration on this. I tried to get a straight answer on it when they went on sale. (Online support said yes and no, they did not have a definative answer themselves.) I ended up with the Flex to be sure. The manual is generic, the S-Pen is available in Korea as is a 15.6 in version. I think some tech sites were going off the versions already released (providing higher spec versions to press that were not available in the US was dishonest. Combined with the utter silence from Samsung on clarification the overall experience of trying to figure out what you are buying with these was just awful. If you look at the US press release from January it lists the ACtive Pen from which i assume is the same as the one used with the Notebook 9 Pro. This of course is not available for purchase from Samsung's webpage at this time. Best of luck.

Re: Galaxy Book Flex alpha S Pen support

usercoxe3Qaxpx — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 19:14:12 GMT

You are apologizing but wouldn't it be more productive to simply clarify which Alpha models support the S-Pen? The S-Pen, for many, is a primary reason for purchasing a Samsung laptop. Offering the 13" Flex in the US with only 8GB RAM precludes it's viablity for many. The Alpha is an alternate in that it can be configured with 12GB but it is impossible to ascertain if the S-Pen is supported. I would be interested in the US model 13" I7/12GB Alpha (only if it supports S-Pen). Your confirmation of S-Pen support might provide an indication, but I would still be loath to make a purchase based on heresay. S-Pen support ultimately must be confirmed by the regional specifications. I simply cannot understand why this is so complicated. I also can't understand why the US seems to get the "dumbed down" versions of each model.

Re: Galaxy Book Flex alpha S Pen support

usercoxe3Qaxpx — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 19:16:18 GMT

Yes, thank you, my experience and dissapointment dovetails exactly with yours. Please see my response to the moderator below.

Re: Galaxy Book Flex alpha S Pen support

user11wcRkF7ko — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 18:39:17 GMT

This is kind of a reply to my own question. There seems to be questions about the Flex alpha and pen support. I also saw reviews etc that mentioned S Pen support. My test was to take the S Pen out of my wife's Chromebook and try to use it. NOTHING. I then decided to try the pen that I bought to replace the original pen that came with my Surface Pro 4. What I have is a Surface Pen by Pac Dot that I got on Amazon for about $37. It uses one of those AAAA batteries that you have to dig to find. It has a rocker button on the side but no button on the end like the original pen had. I found that it worked fine with the Surface. When I hold it near the Flex alpha screen a cursor appears. If I hold down the side button and swipe text, it is selected. If I hold down the side button and touch the screen, the right-click menu appears. If I open a Photoshop editor, it can be used for brushes and selections. If I open the Samsung Notes app, the pen works. It has palm rejection. I downloaded the very nice Bamboo Paper app and it works. If I open the Live Message app, the pen works and the pen is pressure sensitive, more pressure gives wider lines. I don't get the semicircle of choices like I got with the S Pen on my Note 10. There are probably other things that this pen cannot do, and i anyone would like to ask me to try something, I will be happy to do it. When I bought the Flex alpha, I did not think it had pen support but certainly expected to try based on the information in some reviews, AND the section on the S Pen that is in the tiny included "User Manual" Much of the pen support is probably coming from Windows 10. There are some simple settings for the pen in Windows Settings Devices. Frankly, considering that I was not planning on pen support, I am very pleased with how useful the pen is and I am glad that I happened to have the active pen from my Surface Pro around so that I found out that it worked. Everything else about the Flex alpha is great, except that the speakers could be louder.

Re: Galaxy Book Flex alpha S Pen support

usercoxe3Qaxpx — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 00:53:07 GMT

Thanks, I appreciate the info. Sadly, it seems that Samsung has an agenda to obfuscate the real story. However, your report doesn't quite make sense to me. The S-Pens are EMR, the surface pens are AES, two totally different technologies. If you are getting a response from the surface pen then it is probably Windows Ink via Bluetooth, coupled with a passive capacitive response from the touch screen, but I just don't see how you could be getting active pressure sensitivity, assuming the Alpha has an EMR digitizing panel like the Flex.
If you have a Galaxy Note S-Pen to try, in a recent drawing app, that would be the best test. If you're sure your Chromebook stylus is EMR and that doesn't work that's a bad sign.

Re: Galaxy Book Flex alpha S Pen support

Samsung_sWG9Fso — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 00:56:10 GMT

Hey

Re: Galaxy Book Flex alpha S Pen support

user11wcRkF7ko — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 02:10:13 GMT

I don't have a Note any more, I got a Pixel for my last replacement because it was a good deal. I think I will go back to the Note line for my next phone. We have a Samsung Chromebook which has a pen that looks exactly like my note pen. If I try to use it on this flex it does not work. If I work in Bamboo and use my finger, or one of those soft tipped passive "pens" there is no pressure sensitivity. Pressure does not make the line wider. If I use the Pac Doc pen, with the battery but NO BLUETOOTH, I do get pressure sensitivity. Very low pressure produces a very fine line. I certainly don't know if the effect is just the same as I would get with an S Pen device, but it certainly works. The pen works well in Microsoft Word for highlighting, erasing, sketching. In Windows Settings Devices I can set some pen options. Right now, I don't know what functionality I am missing out on by not paying $400 more for a Flex with the pen, but I seem to be able to do everything with a pen that I would expect to be able to do.

Re: Galaxy Book Flex alpha S Pen support

usercoxe3Qaxpx — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 02:36:59 GMT

I believe you, but that is absolutely mind blowing. That would indicate the Alpha has an AES MPP digitizer, not EMR like the Flex, which doesn't make a lot of sense, especially considering Samsung owns 20% of WACOM. Looks like unless Samsung weighs in on this mystery, I'll have to wait for the Samsung Experience stores to reopen, or buy some other brand. I'm really losing respect here for Samsung as a company. Thanks much for the insights.

Re: Galaxy Book Flex alpha S Pen support

user3rpQWd2Prb — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 22:06:40 GMT

To me this is BAIT and Switch pure and simple. So sad to see such a reputable group like Samsung resort to tactics that make any reasonable person believe one thing and then in reality it is the opposite. This is a purposegfully misleading website for the Flex Alpha. The S Pen will only work as a pointer like your finger.

Re: Galaxy Book Flex alpha S Pen support

Anonymous — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 22:46:25 GMT

The Galaxy Book Flex supports the S Pen. The Flex Alpha and Flex Ion do not.

Re: Galaxy Book Flex alpha S Pen support

user11wcRkF7ko — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 01:13:18 GMT

What am I missing? It seems that I can do a lot of things with the pen I have. Drawing, selecting, Photoshop selecting and brushes. Bamboo seems to function. What would the s pen do that I can't do now? It would have to be substantially more for me to justify another $400 or $500.

Re: Galaxy Book Flex alpha S Pen support

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 20:23:07 GMT

The S Pen offers additional functionality, such as remote gestures and volume control, write-on-screen, air command, and others.

Re: Galaxy Book Flex alpha S Pen support

user11wcRkF7ko — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 00:05:30 GMT

Thanks for your reply. I expect that dedicated pen users would find these features important. I am afraid that I am not of this group. I used three different Galaxy Note phones and never used these features. I would say to people deciding between the alpha and the full pen support Flex, if you only use the pen for drawing, note taking, selecting in photo editors, you might think of saving a few hundred dollars and getting the alpha. I have enjoyed our discussion. Now I am going to start a thread about the fact that the speaker support is terrible.

Re: Galaxy Book Flex alpha S Pen support

usercoxe3Qaxpx — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 04:46:19 GMT

Thanks again for your investigation, and I'm happy you discovered the Ntrig MPP digitizing layer and that it works for you, and now others are aware. The air commands appear gimmiky to me also; the true benefit of the S-Pen is for artists. The Wacom EMR, which has become endangered on Windows laptops, has a pressure curve and line stability which exceed all Windows AES solutions, which is why I was hopeful. The Flex would have worked for me if it had more RAM (and wasn't that distracting blue color). What is troubling is that on the Korean website, both Flex and Alpha have 16GB RAM and S-Pen support. It's also very bizarre that the North American Alpha has MPP support as you discovered and Samsung doesn't disclose or confirm it. I'll likely buy a DELL; they have specs I can rely on and they don't dumb down the North American models.

Re: Galaxy Book Flex alpha S Pen support

user2YPku52WKK — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 23:38:14 GMT

Samsung clearly is catering to the home market. Those configurations are only available there, so far. I tried to clarify the Ram and S-Pen questions with support before i bought and i received a different answer based on who i talked to. It looks like the Flex replaces Notebook 9 Pen w/S-Pen support while the Alpha replaces the Standard Notebook 9 Pro with "Active Pen" support. If you can order the Active Pen it should work. This dumbing down is similar to the QLED TVs. To get some features found on the 2019 version of the Q60, for 2020 you need to upgrade to the Q70.

Re: Galaxy Book Flex alpha S Pen support

usercoxe3Qaxpx — Sat, 13 Jun 2020 05:13:57 GMT

The 2019 Notebook Nine Pro "Active Pen" , which used Wacom AES, would not work, as user "...F7Ko" reports MPP AES compatibility for the Alpha. AES active pen support was in the Nine Pro specs, and was reviewed with the offered stylus. For the Alpha, we have only confusion in press releases and specs; no active pen is listed in the specs or offered as an accessory. We only know of the MPP compatibility from user "...F7Ko" above; the Samsung moderator has not even confirmed it. I'm sorry, but I cannot buy a laptop based on heresay, and IMHO, if no S-Pen, there are better options for AES laptops.