Portable monitors make it possible to work comfortably from anywhere or to play games. The comparison shows which screens are suitable for the office or games.
If you travel a lot, it is difficult to avoid a laptop. However, working on the slim displays is annoying in the long run. A second screen helps streamline workflow and work more efficiently. Just a few years ago, however, it was still impossible or at least very cumbersome to take a screen with you when you travel. They were way too bulky for that. Fortunately, in 2022 this problem will be a thing of the past. Portable monitors are smaller, lighter and slimmer than ever before, and the choice has also increased significantly.
Most of the time they are so flat that they easily fit in the laptop bag. Nice: You don’t have to worry about tangled cables, because portable monitors are connected to the laptop via USB and draw both image signals and power from it. And bulky feet are no cause for concern either. Current models offer folding devices as a base. Reason enough to see what the market has to offer. Nice: Most portable monitors can be connected to a camera, tablet or smartphone thanks to the USB-C connection. Handy if you need a slightly larger display and want to film or take photos.
1. ASUS ZenScreen MB16AC
The ASUS ZenScreen MB16AC connects to the laptop via USB-C. More cables are not necessary. With a weight of 780 grams, the monitor is also relatively light. Its resolution is 1920 x 1080 pixels with a screen diagonal of 15.6 inches. Nice: Asus uses IPS for the panel. The construction offers the best viewing angles. The design of the laptop is based on Asus’ Zenbooks. If you have such a laptop, the ZenScreen MB16AC is an excellent monitor with a refresh rate of 60 Hertz.
2. Lenovo L15
The Lenovo L15 is also 15.6 inches in size with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. On the other hand, the portable monitor is slightly cheaper than its Asus competitor. Otherwise, the monitors are largely the same. The Lenovo L15 also starts with a refresh rate of 60 Hertz and is therefore less suitable for games. Connect the monitor to the laptop via USB-C. However, the L15 is slightly heavier at 860 grams. Lenovo also uses IPS for the panel.
3. Lenovo ThinkVision M14t
At 14 inches, the ThinkVision M14t is slightly smaller than the other portable monitors in comparison. The model is a bit expensive for that. The main difference besides the size is a second USB-C socket. Otherwise, the screen offers a refresh rate of 60 Hertz with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. With a weight of only 570 grams, it is comparatively light. Of course, Lenovo also uses an IPS panel for the M14t.
4. ARZOPA 15.6 inch
Gamers prefer the highest possible frame rate. This is what this Arzopa monitor offers at 144 Hertz. Its screen diagonal extends over 15.6 inches with Full HD resolution. In addition to mini-HDMI, it also offers two USB-C sockets as connection options. If the monitor is connected to a console or computer via HDMI, it requires power via the USB-C sockets. Attention: Not every console can really exhaust the refresh rate of the Arzopa. With the Xbox Series X, for example, only 60 Hertz comes through. It’s the console, not the monitor. On the PC and Playstation 5 there are no problems, as Retro Games Corp reports.
5. EVICIV 2K
If you want to edit photos or videos on the portable screen, a higher resolution and color fidelity helps enormously. The Eviciv 2K offers both. According to the manufacturer, it covers 100 percent of the Adobe RGB color space. Its resolution is 2560 x 1440 pixels with a screen diagonal of 17.3 inches. You connect the monitor to your laptop via mini-HDMI or USB-C, but its refresh rate is only 60 Hertz. However, according to the manufacturer, the monitor weighs a whopping 2.31 kilograms. Either the information is incorrect or the monitor is a real heavyweight.
6. Dell 14 Portable Monitor – C1422H, Silver
If you want to go for a smaller branded product, the Dell 14 C1422H is a better choice for you. This portable monitor also connects to the laptop via USB-C. Next to the interface is a brightness slider and a button to turn on the blue light filter. The refresh rate of the monitor is 60 Hertz, its resolution is 1920 x 1080 pixels. At 590 grams, the Dell 14 C1422H is a real lightweight and only a few grams heavier than the Lenovo M14t in this comparison. But that is also due to its size: the monitor measures just 14 inches diagonally.
7. Notebook wing
If a portable monitor alone is not enough, there are also so-called notebook wings. Attach the wings to the laptop screen using a bracket. There is then a screen on the left and right side. But that doesn’t work with every laptop. For example, only one screen can be connected to the MacBook Air with Apple’s M1 chip without additional software. Therefore, check beforehand whether the notebook wings fit your laptop. It is also important that there are connectivity options on both sides of the laptop. Once everything has been checked, nothing speaks against these 15-inch notebook wings. Both monitors have a Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels) and offer a refresh rate of 60 Hertz. At 1.4 kilograms, however, they are not light.
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