Best Portable Monitors to Enhance Your Performance

A plethora of users, many of them specialists in tech, agree that this ASUS model is the best portable monitor offered on the market today. Quite far from being the cheapest model, it is, however, worth every dollar you pay.

First things first. Despite being a 15.6" model, which is considered medium-large, the ASUS MB169B+ is extremely lightweight. At 1.76 lbs it is, in fact, the lightest among 15.6" models we've checked. It is also the thinnest, its thickness is only 8.5 mm. Both parameters are crucial when it comes to portability. Furthermore, it does not require you to carry along a selection of wires since it only has one port, a USB 3.0, which is used to transfer data and to power the monitor at the same time. It is very convenient and it leaves your other ports free. If you own a MacBook where there are no traditional USB ports, you still have an option with this portable monitor: the same model is available with a USB Type-C instead. It does cost a tad more, though.

Since it is an ASUS creation, it makes sense that the monitor is advertised to work best with laptops from the same manufacturer but its scope of application is not, of course, limited by ASUS laptops. As evident from above, it is even compatible with Apple devices so there is no reason to fear it not working with Windows laptops from different companies.

The AOC 16" portable monitor is a decent option if you're on a budget but need a large external screen for your laptop. It is cheaper than most 15.6" models (and its viewable area is, in fact, the standard 15.6") but it does have the versatility and performance on par with some more expensive options.

Let us start with versatility. At 16" in diagonal, it is not the smallest model but it is well within the general limits of comfortable portability. And at this size, it weighs about 1.8 lbs, which is quite light, meaning you won't feel it as a ballast added to your bag, and it won't tip the scales, literally, when it comes to a carry on luggage in a plane, for example—if you happen to head for a business trip. And there is more. This portable monitor uses a single port to power itself (the lack of a battery is what makes portable monitors this lightweight so they are powered from your laptop) and as a connection port to transmit the image from your computer to it. Moreover, the used port is a USB Type-C, which is equally compatible with Windows, Chrome-based, and Mac laptops. If you have several different devices between family members, everyone can use the additional monitor when they need it.

The most impressive thing about this model is the range of devices it is compatible with. Besides Windows laptops, you can use it with most consoles, including PS3 and PS4, WiiU, XBox360, making it a good portable gaming monitor. A number of Raspberry Pi users has also reported this model to be a nice addition to their systems. In addition to all that, the manufacturer also states it is compatible with car audio and video systems as well as industrial and medical equipment. The only option lacking for the Elecrow to be called ultimately versatile is the Mac connectivity but alas, one can't have it all.

The connection with this portable monitor is performed via two mini HDMI inputs with the HDMI-to-mini HDMI cable (included in the purchase). You will also see a micro USB port included, it can be used to power up the device when there is no outlet available, which is often the case with portable tech, of course; you can use either your laptop as a power source or a power bank, for example. There is also a micro DC port with the included power adapter for when there is an outlet at hand. It is a convenient feature, you can choose to work from the grid when you have such a possibility instead of depleting your laptop's battery.

You can use this one with just about any device that has an HDMI port, and that's most gaming consoles, many Netbooks, some Ultrabooks and, of course, the majority of full-size Windows laptops. Furthermore, this external monitor has two full-size HDMI ports, meaning you can simultaneously connect two devices to it and switch between them when you need, without having to detach cables and change settings. That's multitasking at its finest, we must say. The operation is effortless and simple, there is little to no setting involved. Basically, it is a plug-and-play portable gaming monitor.

It is worth keeping in mind that this is not the lightest model in the industry—at 15.6" diagonal, its weight is 2.65 lbs, almost a pound heavier than the highly praised ASUS MB169B+, for example. However, it is also not really a heavy device, the best Ultrabooks weigh approximately the same, and those are created with utmost portability in mind. Besides, there is a legitimate reason for this weight: being created with gaming as intended use (among others), this monitor has a couple of really nice stereo speakers. While there are lighter options with speakers, most portable monitors usually have them provide a sound that is so-so in quality. Here, the sound you get is close or on par with standard laptop speakers, maybe even better than some. The speakers blare loud and distinct. And when you don't need the sound booming for everyone to hear, there are two 3.5mm audio ports for headphones, a port per device connected, same as with HDMI.

The GeChic 1503 model is offered in several modifications, including one that is a touchscreen monitor (the 1503I). The modifications are, obviously, priced differently, but the sheer fact of this selection is already quite impressive. Depending on what you need, you can have this model with either a TN or an IPS panel, 720p HD or 1080p Full HD resolution, or you can choose based on the weight, though the difference is hardly tremendous. However, there are features that are the same for all four modifications: 1503E, 1503H, 1503I, and 1503A.

All four options of this portable monitor are the same size, 382x246x11 mm and featuring a 15.6" diagonal. It is a more or less standard diagonal for a laptop so you will easily fit the device in a laptop compartment in your backpack when you need it with you. The 11mm thickness is very thin, no problem fitting it together with a laptop.

The selection of ports of this external LCD monitor is quite exceptional in and of itself. While most portable monitors use either HDMI or USB for connection with the source device and a USB or a power cord for, well, power supply, the GeChic 1503, depending on the modification, uses two HDMI ports (one micro HDMI and one Rear Dock Port) and a VGA for connectivity and a USB Type-C for power. VGA ports are analog and so they are inferior to HDMI (they only transfer video, no audio), sometimes you might, actually, find them quite useful as a backup port, at least. For example, when you need a minimum input lag.