Portable USB Monitors Recommendations

SaberX on 12/01/2021 - 14:51
Last edited 12/01/2021 - 14:54

Hi all,

Just got a dick smith newsletter promoting an external portable monitor. Thought it would be a handy solution for WFH and where i need an extra screen (but no permanent work/study table setup currently). Currently using a HP Spectre 360 laptop.

Just wondering, given this is a Kogan brand, what would a more reputable brand/monitor with decent specs and quality would others recommend?

https://www.dicksmith.com.au/da/buy/kogan-156-full-hd-ips-le…

I'd imagine the whole point would be a monitor that can operator of the USB or USB-C port? Or do most external monitors without a power cord need to use the USB-C port given its capcabilities?

Either way, would love some suggestions. I presume 15.6% gives a nice big screen. But if there's something smaller say 14" or above i'm happy to consider it. Kind of looking for something price affordable, but not too cheap that its quality is compromised to an unbearable level.

Would be great to have a built in stand or way of propping up like this dick smith one? Unless there's an easier way to DIY stand it yourself?

Edit: on second thoughts wondering if there is a monitor that also supports connecting a HDMI cable? I see a few gaming monitors for the playstation 4 sold in ebgames, thought it woul dbe cool to whip out in a room when the mrs is occupying the main tv? Probably a low priority relative to a monitor for plugging into the laptop and doubt a portable monitor would have both hdmi and usb c connection so happy to forgo this optionality.

I do note I found a more expensive version on the Kogan website (better stand/touchscreen) itself rather than dick smith…. one of the pictures has besides a switch, a ps4 pictured? Presumably can you connect a ps4 hdmi via an external monitor with mini hdmi with the right cable? Does it work the same?

https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/kogan-156-touchscreen-full-hd-i…

Computing Computer Peripheral LCD Monitor

Comments

  • YadaYadaYada on 12/01/2021 - 15:11
    +1

    That screen is going to be a similar size to your laptop screen. It's not very big. Is it going to be enough?

    Not sure what your situation is, but is it not possible to just buy a nicer bigger 24'' screen (for a similar price), and just hook up the monitor to your laptop if you're just moving around the house? Quite a few monitors come with HDMI nowadays.

    • SaberX on 12/01/2021 - 15:13

      I'd presume you'd connect to a large conventional monitor with usb c to usb c wouldn't you? or would the hdmi version provide better quality?

      I would eventually get some proper 24-27" screens I presume - for a dual monitor work/study table at home. I just thought what would be a nifty gadget to throw in the bag say if you were packing for someone's house (inlaws) and needed to take an extra screen, that sorta thing.

      Current hp spectre is 13.3" from memory. So i presume a 15.6" would feel sufficient as a second screen for odd times?

      • YadaYadaYada on 12/01/2021 - 15:27

        Conventional monitors support HDMI/usb c/ display port, some with more than 1 port. Usually you'd just pick whatever you current computer supports and find a monitor that goes with that (or buy adapters for the relevant port).

        You can get some really nice larger monitors for the price range you're looking at, eg https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/596975 which would be more useful than the smaller screen, but it really depends on your needs.

        If you were talking about the odd times, I would just go without the second screen unless you really can't do without.

        • SaberX on 12/01/2021 - 15:42

          For a home monitor setup i was undecided on a 24" or 27" to be honest… and also wide screens in the 27" as i wasn't sure if 2 x 24" were better fits. But I'd imagine picking something up for under $500-600 if going fo rthat 27" or lower range.

          Are IPS panels and 4k still the 'standard' to go middle ground for laptop connectivity? don't have a fancy desktop rig so the whole 8k or very high resolution isn't possible anyway. Not sure if these scale down well to 1080 though if one was to plug an original ps4 in though?

          Work tends to always use Dell screens, just wondering if the ROG or AOC etc. are still the 'goto' for non-Dell screens? or if it doesn't really matter and they're all pretty good these days?

          • YadaYadaYada on 12/01/2021 - 16:32

            @SaberX: Yeh wide screens aren't for everyone, so you might be better off with 1 24'' to start off with (if you have no permanent desk). Dell monitors are on sale every week or so on ozb - so you can usually pick one up a lot cheaper than $500!

            Well I have no idea about the other brands, but some of the Dell monitors are true color - so the colors will look a lot closer to reality (if comparing a photo on the screen to the actual thing). I usually go for those monitors because I like photography. But don't pick a monitor based on the brand - pick based on specific models. Read reviews of monitors online (or look through popular ozb monitor deal comments) to pick a monitor.

            I'm not sure about what is standard for laptops - it really depends on the graphics card you have in the laptop and what that supports.

            • SaberX on 04/02/2021 - 13:38

              @YadaYadaYada: A friend linked me the ultra sharp - U2721DE - it is still $748 so im' waiting for it to drop in price.

              Supposedly the ultra sharp is worth it? I see 4k monitors and other 2ks that go for the same if not cheaper i.e. $400-550 range, so I preusme this 2k must have superior quality to be cheaper than similar monitor sizes with face value same specs? I just dont know what goes inside them to warrant the price premium.

              It seems you can USB c link to the monitor (have thunderbolt 3 on my hp spectre, and my work laptop has an usb C DP symbol being a dell ) and then i presume you link by the DP out to the DP In on a second monitor - and this supposedly daisy chains and gives you two monitor outputs using only 2 cables? USB c between laptop/monitor 1, and the DP cable between monitor 1/2? Is there anything wrong with this setup? Seems convenient if so. although $740 x 2 is pretty up there.. hoping these can go on sale down to $600'ish before i bite the bullet

              It's a shame as Perth just went into a snap lockdown and having monitors at home would have been great… definitely need to sort this out before the next lockdown hits!

              https://www.dell.com/en-au/shop/dell-ultrasharp-27-usb-c-hub…

  • AustriaBargain on 12/01/2021 - 15:20

    You could get an iPad. You can sync your tabs with Firefox/Chrome on your laptop, you can use it as a second monitor with windows using certain apps, and you can use it as a wireless screen for PS4/Xbox One with the official apps from Sony and MS.

    • SaberX on 12/01/2021 - 15:43
      +1

      Seems abit of an expensive option though? And not needing the actual apple part and the price premium that goes with it vs just a monitor i would have thought?

      So if one was to get an android box or android related setup on a monitor, installing the sony playstation app could allow remote play from ps4? Or alternatively a monitor with HDMI in i presume would just be a direct connection anyway?

  • Flowerbomb on 15/02/2021 - 13:24

    How about this touchscreen. it doesn’t have a case which is a bummer. Better to get a 27” screen for home but this looks handy as I’m out and about at different job locations each week. https://www.dicksmith.com.au/da/buy/kogan-156-touchscreen-fu…

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