Portable monitor

[exceladdict]

Does anyone use a portable monitor to have a second screen while travelling, or to be able to share presentations while on a zoom call (but still use presenter view on your main screen?)

Saw a link to one on ozbargain, ended up on an AliExpress trawl and landed here: 152.77AU $ 56% OFF|Touch Screen 14 Inch Portable Monitor ADS IPS 95%SRGB 300cd/m2 PC Game Travel Extended Screen With Speaker Support Type C HDMI| | - AliExpress

Thought I'd ask if anyone has tried something similar and has any pros or cons to share!

 

[kookaburra75]

I bought a portable 15.6" portable monitor from Kogan a couple of years ago, and it works well. It's been superceded by a new model (Kogan 15.6" Full HD IPS Portable LED USB-C Touchscreen Monitor) I have a sleeve case that it fits into, along with the cables and a flat power brick.

the only thing I've found is that not all laptops push out enough power through their usb-c port, which means you can't run the monitor off a single cable. Where that happens I use a HDMI to mini-HDMI cable for the video and a separate power cable to the usb-c port using a slim line power brick from Jaycar I've even used the power brick from my July CarryOn Pro case to run the monitor for a couple of hours as there were no power points within reach.

I've coupled it with a webcam up on my laptop lid that swivels and a Bluetooth speaker to run a mini-group video session where the client's system wouldn't work.

 

[exceladdict]

I bought a portable 15.6" portable monitor from Kogan a couple of years ago, and it works well. It's been superceded by a new model (Kogan 15.6" Full HD IPS Portable LED USB-C Touchscreen Monitor) I have a sleeve case that it fits into, along with the cables and a flat power brick.

the only thing I've found is that not all laptops push out enough power through their usb-c port, which means you can't run the monitor off a single cable. Where that happens I use a HDMI to mini-HDMI cable for the video and a separate power cable to the usb-c port using a slim line power brick from Jaycar I've even used the power brick from my July CarryOn Pro case to run the monitor for a couple of hours as there were no power points within reach.

I've coupled it with a webcam up on my laptop lid that swivels and a Bluetooth speaker to run a mini-group video session where the client's system wouldn't work.

Oh nice, I hadn't thought about kogan. Trying to decide whether the touchscreen option is needed; figure probably not most of the time but it could open up options for the future. Also thinking vesa mounts might be handy, again, just in case. Love the idea of running it with a powerbank though!

 

[SeatBackForward]

I've been using this one called Espresso Display, well I have one of their very original Kickstarter releases (Plus they are an Australian company too!) there are few more available now. As @kookaburra75 points out, you do need to have a unit that can either produce enough power through the USB-C cable, or have a second power supply also being connected.

There are quite a few models out now, and if you have the time to scour through Aliexpress, you can get them for considerably cheaper from China, including models that have their own powerbank, and some even now have their own Operating systems contained within them.

I use mine for working in hotels, but also have it setup when I'm at trade shows to run videos/demos etc when I'm too tight to pay $1000USD for three days hire of a supplied 42" display

 

[kookaburra75]

Oh nice, I hadn't thought about kogan. Trying to decide whether the touchscreen option is needed; figure probably not most of the time but it could open up options for the future. Also thinking vesa mounts might be handy, again, just in case. Love the idea of running it with a powerbank though!

I've found the touchscreen to be useful when doing presentations or sales pitches eg PowerPoint decks. I can run it separately to what's on laptop screen, which had been useful when I've been at conferences and only have a small booth in the exhibition area.
Buying from Kogan is handy if there any issues, as you're dealing with local company. The thing to check on is the type of stand/hinge. Some are better than others.

Mine has the fold out panel on the bottom (now discontinued), which had the ports (miniHDMI, usb-c video & power, usb-c power), and indicator lights. Some of the others I've seen, the flip out stands could be a problem on uneven surfaces.

 

[exceladdict]

Buying from Kogan is handy if there any issues, as you're dealing with local company. The thing to check on is the type of stand/hinge. Some are better than others.
Mine has the fold out panel on the bottom (now discontinued), which had the ports (miniHDMI, usb-c video & power, usb-c power), and indicator lights. Some of the others I've seen, the flip out stands could be a problem on uneven surfaces.

Good call - am thinking about a VESA mount to be able to use with a monitor stand/clamp/etc. It seems the monitors with thinner tops (more like laptops) don't have those mounts but use magnets or other options for connecting to a stand/case.

 

[exceladdict]

Another one came around on ozbargain for about $100 AUD so took the plunge and will see how it goes. Ended up going for a 14" to match my laptop, no touch, mostly as a secondary display for PowerPoint presentations over zoom. Will report back with a bit of a review.

 

[newmarket]

The Duet app allows you to connect an iPad to a windows pc as a second screen. I’ve used it for years and it really works well.