NexDock

Lore & Background

The first NexDock was introduced in 2016 through a successful Indiegogo campaign, marketed as a companion for Windows 10 Mobile's Continuum feature. Subsequent models were often launched via Kickstarter and added features like higher-resolution displays, touchscreens, and convertible hinges to adapt to growing smartphone capabilities.

Model evolution includes the NexDock 2 (2019) with a 13.3-inch 1080p IPS display and USB-C port; the NexDock Touch (2020) adding a touchscreen; the NexDock 360 (2021) with a 360-degree hinge for multiple modes; the NexDock Wireless (2023) offering cable-free connectivity; and the NexDock XL (2023) increasing screen size to 15.6 inches while retaining the 360-degree hinge and offering a version with wireless charging for a connected phone.

Critical reception has been mixed, with reviewers praising the concept's utility for mobile productivity while noting hardware limitations and its niche appeal. Reviews consistently highlight that overall performance depends entirely on the power of the connected phone, and the experience is often best suited for light productivity tasks rather than replacing a dedicated laptop.

Reader's Guide

The NexDock series occupies a specific niche in PC hardware as a lapdock that leverages the processing power of a smartphone rather than containing its own CPU. Its significance lies in enabling mobile desktop environments like Samsung DeX and the former Windows Continuum to function as a portable workstation. Reviews have been mixed: ZDNet called the NexDock 2 a 'great companion for the modern road warrior,' and Digital Trends described the original as a 'no-brainer shell' for expanding a phone's capability. However, hardware limitations are consistently noted. TechRadar stated the NexDock Touch was a 'compelling package for a very specific niche' but that the 'trackpad and keyboard are a bit of a letdown and the screen could be brighter.' Android Authority described the NexDock 2 experience as 'janky at times,' concluding it 'delivers on its promise — sort of.' The legacy of the NexDock is as a proof-of-concept for phone-as-computer workflows, but its execution flaws and dependence on the connected device's power have kept it a niche product rather than a mainstream laptop replacement.

Did You Know?

• The NexDock 2 (2019) introduced a 13.3-inch 1080p IPS display and a USB-C port.
• The NexDock Wireless (2023) offered cable-free display connectivity.
• The NexDock XL (2023) increased screen size to 15.6 inches and offered a version with wireless charging for a connected phone.