Portable monitors have improved a lot in recent years and today you can find some very interesting options for price, size and screen quality. All this without losing what really makes them attractive: the possibility of always carrying them with you without being annoying. Are you interested in knowing the best options of the moment? Let’s see them.
What is a portable monitor
Well, this is a somewhat obvious question, but it’s still good to explain a bit why laptop could really be any monitor. What differentiates these proposals from the classic screens that you can use with your computer or other device is that they do not depend on an electrical outlet at home, the office or wherever you normally do or can use the usual monitors.
Portable models are solutions that take advantage of the new connections to, with a single cable that is usually USB C, transmit both the video signal and the energy necessary for its power and operation. Therefore, the comfort obtained with them is very high. Because you will only have to carry them along with a simple cable and forget about everything else.
In addition, there are currently very interesting models that with diagonals that are normally around 15.6 inches offer Full HD resolution, also some 4K models and even the ability to interact with them through touches and gestures thanks to the built-in touch support.
If to all this we add that they are usually very thin and weigh quite low as well, what we have as a result is an easy solution to transport from one place to another and that will give us that extra comfort that could trigger our productivity. And the most interesting thing, it could even be used for those leisure moments in which we want to watch a series, movie or play a video game on a panel somewhat larger than that of our smartphone. So we just have to take advantage of the video output of these and that’s it.
What to consider when buying a portable monitor
Now that you are clear about what a portable monitor is (in case you did not know them yet), let’s see what should be taken into account to choose one. Because logically they are not all the same and that of buying and failing, no matter how cheap the product may be, is something that no one likes.
So these are the things to consider when shopping for a portable monitor:
- Screen diagonal and resolution : logically we want to gain comfort and even productivity, therefore it is important that the screen size and its resolution allow you that extra with a larger desktop without sacrificing image quality. The normal thing is to bet on 15.6-inch screens, although there may be other smaller models that for certain types of use may still be worth it.
- Brightness and saturation : as it is an external and portable monitor, it is normal for you to use it on the street, so having a good level of brightness and contrast is vital for a good visiting experience in most circumstances. If not, if you try to use it in daylight outdoors and you don’t see anything, don’t buy it
- Weight and size : These portable monitor solutions today are typically lightweight with very contained dimensions. Thanks to the new screens that allow the frames to be reduced as much as possible, very compact monitors are achieved with very little weight. Obviously there will be others who do not, so consider well what they can contribute and to what extent such an option is appropriate
- Connections : since what you are looking for is portability, you have to bear in mind that then the ideal thing is to use a single cable. That implies that it should have a USB C connection to be able to connect it directly to your compatible device with the use of this connector both to output the audio and video signal. If, in addition, it includes some HDMI or micro HDMI, better than better, because you can connect other devices such as photo or video cameras that do not allow the signal to be output via USB C
- Protection : if the idea is to be able to carry it from one place to another, the protection of the device is also essential. Try to bring your own protection cover and if not, look for solutions that may exist specific or from third parties, even if they are more general.
Best portable monitors
Having seen all this, let’s get down to business. If you are looking for a portable monitor that you can take from one place to another, these are our recommendations. Although there are proposals on the market with 4K resolution, the truth is that unless you have very demanding needs, the investment is not worth it. So we show you the most attractive for price and performance .
Asus MB169C +
The first model is from Asus and although the frames are quite generous, the truth is that it is not a bad proposal due to screen size (15.6 inches), Full HD resolution and that it only uses a single USB C cable to transmit both the image and the sound and the food itself.
Asus ZenScreen MB16ACE
Also from Asus and this time this Asus portable monitor is possibly one of the most striking aesthetically despite its generous frames, although it also offers the best image quality. The screen has a diagonal of 15.6 inches and a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. This makes both for working and playing multimedia content or games perfect.
In addition, as a curious fact, the same cover that serves to protect the screen when you carry it from one side to the other allows the use of the monitor both horizontally and vertically.
MSI Optix MA161V
With the same screen diagonal as the two previous models, this MSI option also has an attractive design, with hardly any frames on the sides and upper area. Although with that prominent logo at the bottom.
The screen offers 15.6 inches, Full HD resolution and the interesting thing is that, in addition to USB C, it also incorporates a mini HDMI so you can connect other devices that are not computers. It also includes speakers.
Lenovo ThinkVision M14
Another good monitor is the Lenovo ThinkVision M14, a 14 ″ diagonal screen and a folding base where two USB C ports are included for connection to other devices. Aesthetically it is very elegant, although that base could be less functional depending on what type of user and use.
HP EliteDisplay S14
Finally, there is the HP EliteDisplay S14, a very attractive monitor by design and with a cover that serves to cover the screen when you want to protect it when storing it as well as a lectern. It offers Full HD resolution and two ports for connecting external video signals.
Who is a portable monitor for
Portable monitors are for virtually any user who needs a second screen. No matter what use you want to give it, although it is true that there are a number of users who could get a lot out of it.
The first are those who work in mobility constantly. Also those who usually do it from a laptop, they do not have a fixed place either in the office or at home and you want an additional screen to improve productivity. Videographers could also take advantage of them, because they could even use them as a monitor to see the framing they are taking in interviews or other recordings, also to edit while they are not in the studio. And finally the gamers, who will also be able to take advantage of it.
There are many ways to take advantage of such a portable monitor. You only have to consider those situations in which you have only been using the screen of your device and have thought, hopefully a larger screen or a second one to be able to see more things.