Portable Monitors: Worth The Investment?

If you're considering buying a portable monitor, you're not alone. In the past few years, portable monitors have become increasingly popular, with many brands now offering a range of options to suit different needs and budgets.

A portable monitor is a thin, lightweight display that you can easily carry with you and connect to your laptop, desktop PC, gaming console, or other devices. They typically include a kickstand mechanism and some models also offer features such as touchscreen input, built-in batteries, and stylus support.

Portable monitors are versatile and can be used in various settings, from working in an office or co-working space to travelling or working remotely. They are particularly useful for gamers, digital nomads, accountants, lawyers, business travellers, developers, and designers.

When choosing a portable monitor, it's important to consider factors such as display type, resolution, screen size and aspect ratio, refresh rate and response time, connectivity, and user-friendly design.

With a range of options available, it's worth researching and comparing different models to find the best portable monitor for your specific needs and budget.

Should I buy a portable monitor for work?

If you're looking to boost your productivity, a portable monitor can be a great addition to your work setup. They are especially useful if you're working with a single laptop screen and want to double your screen space.

Portable monitors are also highly versatile. You can use them as a second screen for your laptop, as a gaming monitor for consoles, as an external monitor for Windows laptops or iMacs, or even as a streaming device for Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and more.

They are also ideal for travelling, as they are lightweight and easy to pack in your backpack. This means you can work comfortably and efficiently from anywhere, whether that's in a co-working space, a client's office, or your garden.

When choosing a portable monitor, consider the display type, resolution, screen size, aspect ratio, refresh rate, and response time. IPS and OLED panels offer excellent viewing angles, making them a good choice if you intend to use your monitor as a second screen. A resolution of 1920x1080 is fairly standard, but QHD and 4K displays provide greater pixel density, resulting in more readable text and lifelike images. A 120Hz or 144Hz refresh rate will give you a smoother experience when browsing or watching videos, and may also help to reduce eye strain.

Some other features to look out for include:

• A kickstand mechanism that allows you to orient your monitor in portrait or landscape mode
• Touchscreen and stylus support
• A built-in battery
• Speakers
• USB-C and HDMI connectivity

Should I buy a portable monitor for entertainment?

Portable monitors are a great way to boost your entertainment experience. They are especially useful if you are looking for a solution that is easy to carry and set up anywhere.

Portable monitors are versatile and can be used with a variety of devices, such as laptops, desktop PCs, gaming consoles, and even cameras. They are also perfect for travelling, as they can fit easily into your backpack and provide entertainment on the go.

When choosing a portable monitor for entertainment, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, think about the size and weight of the monitor. If you plan to carry it around frequently, a smaller, lightweight model might be preferable. The screen quality is also important, especially if you intend to use it for watching movies or editing media. Look for a monitor with a high resolution and good colour accuracy.

Another feature to look out for is orientation control, which allows you to switch between landscape and portrait modes. This can be useful for certain types of entertainment, such as viewing photos or reading. Connectivity is also key; look for a monitor with a USB-C connection, which can transfer both power and data.

Some other features that can enhance your entertainment experience include touchscreen input, built-in speakers, and a kickstand or adjustable stand for comfortable viewing.

• ViewSonic VG1655: This monitor offers a good balance between price and performance, with a bright display, solid contrast ratio, and two USB-C ports.
• Asus ROG Strix XG16AHPE: This model is ideal for gaming and media watching, with a high refresh rate, built-in battery, speakers, and a kickstand.
• Lepow Lite H1: This 14-inch portable monitor is compact and lightweight, making it perfect for travel. It has both HDMI and USB-C outputs and can be used with laptops, phones, and game consoles.

In conclusion, a portable monitor can be a great investment if you are looking to enhance your entertainment experience, especially when on the move. With the right features and specifications, a portable monitor can provide a high-quality viewing experience wherever you go.

Should I buy a portable monitor for gaming?

If you're a gamer, a portable monitor can be a great addition to your setup. They are a good way to extend your laptop screen or scale up a mobile device, and they are much more portable than a desktop monitor.

When choosing a portable monitor for gaming, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, size is a major factor. If you're looking for something to take with you on the go, a smaller, more portable monitor may be a better option. However, if you're after something for photo or video editing, a bigger screen with higher quality might be what you need.

Weight is also important if you're going to be carrying your monitor around. Even a pound or two can feel like a lot after a while.

The quality of the screen is another key consideration. If you're just looking to watch Netflix or meet with colleagues, a lower resolution might be fine. But if you're gaming, editing code, or working with media, you'll probably want a high-resolution IPS monitor.

Another useful feature is orientation control, which lets you turn the monitor from landscape to portrait. This can be helpful for photo editing and coding, as it lets you see the whole image or long blocks of code at a glance.

Finally, connectivity is key. While HDMI or DisplayPort compatibility is helpful, the new standard is USB-C, which can transfer both power and data.

• Asus ROG Strix XG17AHPE: This 17.3-inch monitor has a high refresh rate of 240Hz and a 3ms response time, resulting in smooth and responsive visuals. It also has a 7800mAh battery, which lasts for nearly three hours of gaming. It's a good choice if you're looking for a larger monitor with a high refresh rate.
• ViewSonic VX1655-4K: This 15.6-inch monitor offers a 4K resolution at a fair price, making it perfect for small-screen UHD gaming. It has a wide range of ports and extra features, and good compatibility with modern consoles, PCs, and devices.
• G-Story GSV56QM: This 15.6-inch monitor has a high refresh rate of 165Hz and a 1ms response time, resulting in snappy visuals. It also has a relatively affordable price tag.
• Verbatim Portable Touchscreen Monitor: This 15.6-inch monitor offers great features at a low price. It has a built-in kickstand and HDR capabilities. It's a good choice if you're looking for a touchscreen monitor on a budget.
• Espresso Display 15 Touch: This 15-inch monitor has a responsive touchscreen and a rotation lock that adjusts the image into portrait mode. It also has good picture quality, with sharp text clarity and great colour accuracy. It's a good choice if you're looking for a monitor with a touchscreen and high picture quality.
• Nexigo NG17FGQ: This 17.3-inch monitor has a high refresh rate of 300Hz and good build quality. It also has excellent colour representation and comes with a remote to navigate the OSD.
• Asus ZenScreen Go MB16AWP: This 15.6-inch monitor has an integrated 7,800mAh battery that lasts for three hours and Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can mirror your device's screen without any cables. It also has excellent colour performance.
• Feelworld DH101: This small-screen option has a 10.1-inch display, a robust and adjustable kickstand, and integrated speakers. It also supports touch input and has an extra USB-C port.
• Lenovo ThinkVision M14: This 14-inch monitor is a good budget option. It has two USB-C ports, each supporting DisplayPort Alt Mode, and a built-in kickstand with tilt adjustment.

So, should you buy a portable monitor for gaming? If you're looking to extend your laptop screen or scale up a mobile device, a portable monitor could be a great choice. Just be sure to consider your priorities in terms of size, weight, screen quality, orientation control, and connectivity when making your decision.

Should I buy a portable monitor for travel?

Whether you're a travelling exec, a gamer, or a graphic designer, a portable monitor can be a great addition to your work or entertainment setup.

Benefits of a Portable Monitor

Portable monitors are lightweight, versatile, and easy to transport, making them ideal for travel. They can be used as a second screen for laptops, desktop PCs, gaming consoles, and other devices. They are also useful for streaming devices, cameras, and mobile devices.

Factors to Consider

When purchasing a portable monitor, it is important to consider the display type, resolution, screen size, aspect ratio, refresh rate, response time, and additional features such as built-in speakers, touchscreen capability, and stylus support.

Recommendations

The Lepow Lite H1 is a compact, 14-inch portable monitor with a crisp 1080p resolution. It is lightweight, includes a built-in folio protector, and is compatible with laptops, phones, and game consoles. The Asus ZenScreen Touch is another option with a 15.6-inch display, gesture-based multi-touch, and stylus input. For gamers, the Asus ROG Strix XG16AHPE offers a high refresh rate, low input lag, and a built-in battery.

A portable monitor can be a valuable investment, especially for those who travel frequently or require a multi-screen setup for improved productivity. With a range of options available, it is important to consider your specific needs and budget when making a purchase decision.

Should I buy a portable monitor for photography?

Portable monitors are a great addition to your setup if you're looking for something lightweight and versatile. They are easy to carry around and can be used for a variety of tasks, including gaming, streaming, and working.

When choosing a portable monitor for photography, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll want to make sure the monitor has good colour accuracy and colour space coverage. This is important as it will ensure that the colours in your photos are displayed accurately. Look for a monitor that covers at least 95% of the sRGB colour space, and if you work with Adobe RGB, look for a monitor that covers a high percentage of that colour space as well.

Another thing to consider is the resolution of the monitor. For photography work, you'll likely want a monitor with a higher resolution, such as QHD or 4K, as this will give you more detailed and lifelike images.

In terms of specific recommendations, the Lenovo ThinkVision M14d is a good option for photographers. It has excellent colour accuracy, covering 96% of the sRGB colour space, and it's also very lightweight and easy to transport. Another option to consider is the Asus ZenScreen Touch, which offers both touch and stylus input and has good brightness and contrast.

Finally, if you're looking for a larger portable monitor, the espresso 17 Pro 4K is a great choice. It has a high resolution of 3840 x 2160 and excellent colour accuracy, making it a good option for photo editing.

Overall, a portable monitor can be a great investment for photographers, providing a lightweight and versatile option for working on the go.

Frequently asked questions