Samsung Silicone Case (Note 9)

The Samsung Note 9 is a fantastic smartphone and using Samsung DeX with it makes the experience so much better but having a glass back is an invitation for disaster if the device is dropped. There are many case options to choose from but not too many will work with the Samsung DeX Station or DeX Pad except some of Samsung's own cases ... of course. I've tried the S-View Folio case and the plain Silicone case and they both work with the dock. The reason is because the bottom of each case is entirely open so there's no obstruction when seating the Note 9 into the dock. Third party manufacturers should take note.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

I've upgraded to Samsung's latest flagship, the Note 9. As with all previous members of the Note line, the Note 9 is the most powerful, feature packed smartphone Samsung produces, and some might argue the best smartphone of the year.

The term 'computer in your pocket' gets used quite a bit nowadays it seems, but that description fits the Note 9 more than any other smartphone to date.  In fact I think it's the King of pocketable computers. The list of it's features is way too long to go into in this post so I'll just say pound for pound and feature for feature, it's simply incredible.

The Samsung Desktop Experience (DeX)

Mobile computing workstation in my pocket.

Samsung's DeX experience has been very good at providing a workable solution for normal desktop computing on the go or when you just want to do work and have it safely with you as long as you have your smartphone.

For the best results, you will need an HDMI capable monitor or display, a bluetooth keyboard/mouse and Samsung's DeX Station/Pad or a compatible USB-C DeX Hub. DeX is supported on the S8/S8+/S9/S9+/Note8/Note9. If you have a Note 9, then you can skip the DeX Station/Pad/USB-C Hub because the DeX hardware components are built-in. Of course you'll need and HDMI cable for the external display.

Another option is to use a lapdock (like the HP Elite X3 Lapdock) which provides a compact portable shell for
connecting you DeX compatible smartphone and turns it into a portable laptop-like device which is very cool.