Anyone have recommendations for a <=$120 portable monitor? Reviews either read like press releases or seem to stuffed full of fake reviews (like Amazon). Using it for working on the go as a secondary to my windows laptop. Please let me know. Thank you.

  • Extras@lemmy.todayEnglish
    11·
    10 months ago

    Actually was doing some research on this the other day for a friend and here’s what I found.

    Used:

    • ASUS ZenScreen (MB16ACE) 15.6” - buy used for around 140$ USD on amazon maybe cheaper on eBay

    • ViewSonic VG1655 15.6 Inch - buy used for around 120-130 USD on amazon maybe cheaper on ebay

    New:

    • ASUS ZenScreen (MB166C) 15.6" - currently limited deal of around 100 USD new. Its the best bang for your buck imo if you want to go with a known brand
  • fuckwit_mcbumcrumble@lemmy.worldEnglish
    6·
    10 months ago

    Sub 120 puts you in a kinda tight spot. Not too much more than 120 will take you from a garbage second display, to something extremely nice in no time.

    Should the display be driven by USB c alone, or is a separate power brick taking up space acceptable? You say work related so I assume 60hz is fine, but are you looking for 14” 1080p, 16” 1080p, or something g higher res?

    For $170 I got a 16” 2560x1600 120hz IPS display and I love it. Sadly they downgraded the model to 1440p but my friend has one and it’s still great.

  • nxdefiant@startrek.websiteEnglish
    6·
    10 months ago

    Make sure the brightness at least matches your laptop’s brightness. I made the mistake (twice!) or ordering the cheapest one I could find and they’re both so dim compared to my laptops that they’re basically unusable in anything but a dark room.

  • kmirl@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    10 months ago

    I like Acer 27" 1080p monitors in this price range. I got two for my wife’s work from home setup a couple of years ago, no issues.

  • d0ntpan1c@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    4·
    10 months ago

    I picked up one of the ARZOPA ones and they are fine. Not the best looking, but good enough for a second monitor on the go. I used to take my ipad 9.7" with me places for this purpose and even though the image isnt as good, its way less effort to carry around.

    I wouldnt use it as a single monitor regularly, nor for gaming.

    I had to keep using the usb-c cable that came with it. Not sure if its a specific protocol that my thunderbolt 4 cables dont support or not. Minor inconvenience i havent looked into further.

    • poleslav@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      I have the same kind of monitor as a portable dual monitor for work, and I’d highly recommend this too.

  • Will8250@lemmings.worldOPEnglish
    3·
    10 months ago

    Thanks so much everyone for your input. I ended up with a KYY K3. There was a lightning deal for it on Amazon for ~$90. It showed up yesterday evening and so far, it works just fine for what I need it to do. I’m certain it will help my productivity while working away from the office or my home set up.

    Https://a.co/d/dFBQNzT

  • JustARegularNerd@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    10 months ago

    This might just be me, but I have an old iPad 2 with an app that lets you connect the iPad as a second display to your PC. The app is TwomonUSB, although I don’t endorse it. There are alternatives like Duet Display.

    An old iPad of any kind shouldn’t set you back any less than $20 (or what you may have lying around), the disadvantage mostly being limited to the 10" size.

    • Will8250@lemmings.worldOPEnglish
      3·
      10 months ago

      That’s a great idea. Unfortunately my work laptop is locked down and I’m not able to install any of my own software to it

      • JustARegularNerd@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        10 months ago

        Bugger, I am pretty sure that the PC Companion App for TwomonUSB requires admin, unsure about Duet. In any case, hopefully some other commenters here will be able to help. Good luck!

  • Shertson@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    10 months ago

    I got this last year and it has traveled up and down the East Coast, as well to the South West. Gone by plane and car. I have used it with my Surface laptop running Windows for work, my personal Framework 13 running Fedora Linux, and my Nintendo switch.

    Is it great? I don’t know, but it works.

    ZSCMALLS Portable Monitor 15.6 Inch Full HD https://a.co/d/0Tx4km5