Have you ever been on a trip and you really missed using your desktop monitor? Well, the main challenge is the fact that most monitors are quite bulky and you cannot carry them everywhere. Here is the good news; there are portable monitors, which have specifically been designed to solve this problem. Besides being lightweight, they are very slim and are easy to collaborate with most of the devices that you have.Portable monitors are also known as USB Powered Monitors and have become a great sensation in the recent past. You no longer have to worry about the screen size that your mobile phone or laptop has to offer; you can always have your monitor with you at all times. In as much as they most of the portable monitors will be powered through a USB port, there are those that have been designed to work with HDMI.Ultimately, this will make it easier to set up your monitor, even when you need to use a dual monitor setup for your presentation. You will realize that these monitors are quite expensive, but they will be worth the price since they provide you with so much convenience. This article intends to demystify portable monitors and serve as a guide to buying the best portable monitors.
Benefits of Portable Monitors
Here are some of the key benefits attributed to the portable monitors:
- Easy to set up and assemble and this is what makes it convenient for exhibitions.
- The monitors are portable and easy to carry around.
- Generally, these monitors come with versatile functionalities like the pop up stands. These will amount to having exceptional stand alone displays.
- The sleek frame and thin bezels are part of the ergonomic design of the portable monitors.
- The portable monitors will save on energy consumption since they are powered by USB. The USB power is limited and as such, there is minimal waste as far as power consumption goes.
- Besides being easy to carry around, the portable monitors are also easy to store and will not take up too much space.
- Unlike conventional monitors with 1 or two outputs, the portable monitors will allow you to add up to 6 screens or even 14 screens if you use the Windows Multipoint Server.
- The portable monitors are built from high quality materials, which make them durable, and as such a worthwhile investment.
Who Can Use Portable Monitors
Portable monitors come with different specifications, just like the other monitors. As such, they can be used by anyone who needs to use a monitor. However, due to some of the features that they possess, they may be ideal for people who have a need for multi-screen setup. Anyone who makes presentations will also find these monitors to be quite convenient. They have become the latest sensation for people who hold exhibitions due to their simplicity and portable nature.
Portable Monitors Cons
- One of the biggest disadvantages is the price factor for most consumers. The portable monitors are quite costly, when compared to the conventional monitors.
- The USB connectivity is disrupted if the monitor wobbles. This may be devastating when you are in the middle of a presentation.
- Most of the portable monitors are extremely fragile and need extra care when being handled.
As you may have realized, the portable monitors do not have major flaws, especially in terms of functionality. It is advisable to weigh the pros and cons for each model so as to make an informed decision and buy the best portable monitor.
Features to Consider when Purchasing Portable
Monitor’s Compatibility: You should check and ensure that the portable monitor you intend to buy is compatible with your laptop or device. Find out if it works with all the popular operating systems like Windows and iOS.
Connectivity: While most of the portable monitors will be connected through the USB port, you should look at all the available options for connectivity. The most common options include VGA, USB and HDMI.Size: It would be prudent to consider the size of the monitor that works for you. Currently, most portable monitors will either be 15.6 inches or 17.3 inches. This will be influenced by what you intend to use the monitor for.
Resolution: Any portable monitor will either be HD – High Definition or FHD- Full High Definition. A monitor with a higher resolution is quite clear and vibrant, and as such it tends to be more expensive.
Top Manufacturers of Portable Monitors
This is the latest technology and every manufacturer is trying to get a fair share of the market. This is why you will find so many models on the market for sale and this may confuse you a whole lot. Some of the top manufacturers that you may pay attention to include:
- HP
- ASUS
- GeChic
- AOC
- Lenovo
Having gone through some features and specification of portable monitors, you are in a better place to buy the right monitor. Let us take a look at some of the best portable monitors on the market for your consideration.
Review of the Best Portable Monitors
These are some of the best portable monitors that have emerged on the market. You will realize that they vary in terms of some features as well as the price. It is paramount to compare a number of models, before settling for a particular one.
ASUS MB168B Portable Monitor
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ASUS MB168B is a USB-powered monitor with a 15.6-inch screen display. It has a 1366 x 768 Full HD resolution as a result of the USB 3.0 connectivity. This will give you a seamless flow of images from any device that you have connected the monitor to. You can connect this monitor with a desktop or a notebook using the USB 2.0 ports. The monitor has a stylish design, and has a sleek frame, which makes it portable.There is a metallic finish on the monitor, which is aimed at enhancing the durability of this monitor. The EzLink technology feature will facilitate the multi-monitor setup and simplify window control. You will get a protective case that will help in carrying the monitor safely. The case also serves as the stand for the monitor, which makes it versatile.The monitor will adjust according to the lighting since it comes with an automatic lighting sensor. This will adjust the backlit of the monitor depending on the light in your environment. It also features auto-rotating orientation that will toggle between portrait and landscape display. The ASUS MB168B offer versatile functionality and you will never regret picking this monitor for your needs.
AOC e1659Fwu Portable Monitor
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This is a 15.6-inch monitor by AOC and comes with quite a number of exquisite features. It is one of the most affordable and stylish USB-monitors and provides a clear and vivid display on all images.The sleek design of this monitor is supported by the sturdy kickstand. It has faster data transfers since it has USB 3.0 connectivity and this means that it will only need a USB cable to function. The monitor is easy to use since it is a plug-and-play connection, eliminating the need for a power cable.You will enjoy a 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution with a 300cd/m2 brightness, which is quite bright, when compared to similar monitors in its category. The response time is 11ms and it also offers a 500: 1 contrast ratio. All these features are aimed at ensuring that the AOC e1659Fwu provides you with exceptional and clear images.It has a carry case, which will be used for easier mobility, while ensuring maximum protection on the monitor. It is Vesa 75mm mountable, which makes it quite flexible. The stand is foldable and flexible, and as such you can adjust it so as to mount the screen in landscape or portrait positions. The Display Link Technology will assist you in creating several USB monitor connections. This is an ideal on-the-go monitor to be used by any type of business professional.
HP U160 Portable Monitor
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HP U160 is a 15.6-inch monitor, which is portable in every sense of the word. You can connect to any device or laptop using a USB cable. The monitor comes with a foldable case to carry it, which doubles up as the stand when setting up the monitor.The LED screen has the TN display panel and a resolution of 1366 x 768. The 500: 1 contrast ratio is also ideal for purposes of getting a high quality display on all the images that you will want to view. This is one of the best monitors that you can carry along when you are going to do presentations out of town.As far as the functionality goes, this monitor requires only the USB cable to be powered. The USB cable will be used for power as well connectivity for display purposes. It has a 12ms gray to gray response time, which is quite impressive. Since the screen has a 90-degree view angle, it may not be the best choice for watching movies or playing games.The monitor is quite light, as it weighs only 1.6 kilograms, making it easy to carry along with other luggage. Most video producers have embraced this monitor due to its unique features.
Lenovo ThinkVision LT1421
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With the Lenovo ThinkVision, you will get a mobile screen which you can carry to any meeting or exhibition, without any problem. It weighs less than two pounds and has a thickness of less than one inch, making it the perfect on-the-go portable monitor. Traveling professionals like consultants and auditors will find the ThinkVision to be a suitable travel companion.If you need a screen for multitasking, then this may be a great choice. With a viewable space of 14-inch, you can carry it for impromptu meetings in restaurants and other places that may not provide a projector. In order to use this monitor, you just need to plug it to a laptop or any other device using a USB cable to a USB 2.0 port, and you will be good to go. It comes with a photo frame stand, which can be tilted to the comfortable viewing angle between 12 and 40 degrees.When you look at this monitor, you will realize that it has been designed in such a manner that it matches the ThinkPad laptops. It comes with so much simplicity and ease of use for any person, without requiring any special skills. There are 16 different levels of brightness that you can choose from.
GeChic 2501H Portable Monitor
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GeChic may not be one of the common household names, but this is one of the best portable monitors that you will find on the market. It provides great quality of images and utilizes the IPS panel, unlike the others that use the TN technology. This is one of the aspects hat separate this monitor from the others in its class. It has a wide viewing angle with a screen of 15.6”.The GeChic 2501H has 262K colors, which qualifies it to be a professional monitor that can be used by graphic designers, photographers and other people who want rich colors. The monitor offers a viewing angle of 160 degrees, which can be utilized for game play. You can adjust the color effect and temperature to suit your preference. Unlike the common portable monitors that are powered by USB connections, this one is powered by micro HDMI and VGA.There is a headphone out port, which will allow you to listen to your favorite songs, while in transit. It is one of the most advanced portable monitors and the versatile features explain why it is the most expensive among the others.
Conclusion
There are so many portable monitors and although it may appear as most of them are similar, each model is unique. In your quest to find the best portable monitor, you should compare what each model has to offer and the distinguishing features. Portable monitors will increase productivity since you do not have to worry about a small laptop screen when making your presentation.It is worth noting that these portable monitors do not have deep colors and this means they may be limited in some functions. They are ideal for basic computer tasks that do not focus on true color reproduction. If you are comparing the best portable monitors, we truly hope that this article will give you the insight required to make an informed decision.
