One of the peripherals that aid our productivity is the monitor. However, desktop monitors are heavy and bulky, so it’s not something you can just bring with you anytime. The good news is, portable monitors are now common. They’re thin, and light, with some of them sporting wireless connections. One example of such portable monitor is the ASUS ZenScreen Go MB16AWP.
The ZenScreen Go MB16AWP sports a slim 11.5mm chassis made of metal and plastic and features a 15.6-inch IPS screen with Full HD resolution – the same screen size and quality found in most laptops. So having this monitor is like having two laptop displays. It’s not as large as your desktop monitor but it’s better than having just one.
The picture quality is good. The IPS panel gives off natural colors and good viewing angles. The anti-glare surface also helps as it reduces reflections, especially when you’re working in an area with lots of ceiling lights or when you’re near a window. The thin top and side bezels also make the screen look more immersive. There’s an adjustable blue light filter as well to reduce eye strain.
Another thing that I like about the ZenScreen Go is its built-in fold-out adjustable stand, allowing you to position it at any angle up to probably 70-80 degrees. The stand also lets you prop the ZenScreen Go in portrait mode. If you also have a tripod or table mount, you can also attach it using its 1/4-inch threaded tripod socket at the back.
For the features, the ZenScreen Go MB16AWP includes a variety of I/O ports: USB-C (display), USB-C (power), mini HDMI (adapter included), and an earphone jack. There are also a couple of 1-watt speakers on the left and right sides. They’re not exactly high-end speakers so you’re more likely to use your laptop’s speaker instead.
If you want to connect your laptop to the monitor, you can use the wired options mentioned above. Going wireless, however, makes the ZenScreen Go more versatile as allows you to connect your iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, or Chromebook devices via WiFi, Miracast, or AirPlay connections. It will also rid you of clutter which is handy if you’re working in a small space.
Take note, however, that wireless connections are a bit laggy. It’s alright if you’re just working on documents or spreadsheets but not if you need smooth frame rates like when you’re editing photos or videos or when gaming. Better use a wired connection for such cases. And if you’re wondering how it is powered when it’s wireless, well, the ZenScreen Go has a built-in 7,800 mAh battery which gets us around 3 hours of screen time. When you’re done, just switch it off, fold the stand, and place it inside a carrying case included in the package.
Overall, we like the ASUS ZenScreen Go MB16AWP. It’s a versatile portable monitor and a good companion not just to your laptop but to your other mobile devices as well. It’s great for digital nomads or those who need to take care of business on the go. It’s pricey, though, at around PHP 30K (https://shope.ee/4VEIYZabTO) given the features but if you want something more affordable, ASUS also has other models that will fit your budget.
