Duex Plus by Mobile Pixels specs: Size: 13.3 inches | Panel type: IPS | Resolution: 1080p | Touchscreen: No | HDR: No | Refresh rate: 60 Hz| Power: USB-C As with the Asus, don’t expect professional-grade colour accuracy here. The screen only covers 52.9% of the sRGB colour gamut and peak brightness is a mere 203cd/m². However, images look punchy and crisp and it does the job in an unfussy way. The HDMI and Thunderbolt ports on your Mac mini support video output, so you can connect an external display, a projector, or a high resolution TV. Brightness: One of the few things you’ll be able to tweak on a portable monitor, brightness is measured in candela per metres squared (cd/m²) or nits, so keep an eye out for those. If you’re on the go a lot you’ll want something that can exceed 300 nits to counteract sitting in direct sunlight. For Mac mini with Apple M2, you can connect up to two external displays in the following configurations:

Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 adapter and the cable that came with your Thunderbolt 2 display Colour reproduction is disappointing with sRGB coverage of 57.5% but otherwise, this is a fantastic solution for those who don’t have space for a full-size desktop monitor. Size: It is critical that you find not only the best portable monitor for the type of computer you have but also one for the type of computer size that you have. Most portable monitors range from 13 inches to 16 inches, but you can find some models available outside that range. Portable displays that you pair with a laptop aren't a new phenomenon, but in the past couple of years, they have come into their own. Most monitor manufacturers now have at least one in their repertoire, and new models appear more regularly than ever. Whether you want to add a second screen for giving presentations to small groups, view two programs open full-screen at once, enhance your portable gaming system, or touch up your designs with a stylus, mobile monitors of different sizes, styles, and paradigms are ready to serve.

The best portable monitors you can buy in 2023

I don’t believe there really is a perfect desk setup though, as the best desk setups are constantly evolving. Whether this involves adding that cool new device to your desk or just mixing things up to be more productive, there’s always something you can change or improve. It’s really about finding what works for you at the current moment. Construction: Durability is a must when you are taking your portable monitor on the go with you. Look at the materials used to construct each portable monitor so you can be sure that your new monitor will be able to withstand regular travel. Even if you don’t work from home and just want to sit down at your desk and play on one of the best gaming PCs after a long day, rearranging your desk setup and adding new accessories can help you get into the zone and be less distracted during your downtime. A few older portable-display models draw their power from a laptop over a separate USB 3.0 connection, but USB-C is well on its way to making this kind of connection passé.

Tip: For best results when using your Surface with a high-resolution monitor, we recommend using an active HDMI cable. A few mobile monitors use traditional power adapters. This is particularly true of models that work with sketch pens and are intended for artists; they are in effect interactive monitors. In a common configuration, the display draws power through an adapter, while two cables connect to the computer. One is HDMI, to handle transfer of the image displayed on the device, and the other is USB (through a USB-A port), to record the pen motions the user makes when drawing on the interactive display. HDMI (usually in the form of mini-HDMI) is also a common port (the most common other than USB-C) on more conventional portable displays. (Credit: Molly Flores) Connect one display with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz and one display with up to 5K resolution at 60 Hz using the Thunderbolt ports. When considering a mini LED monitor, it’s crucial to think beyond just the display technology. The resolution, refresh rate, and color accuracy are paramount to ensuring the visual experience meets one’s expectations. Also, compatibility with various devices, the range of ports provided, and even the build quality and design of the monitor can influence the overall satisfaction of the user. Many users prefer to use a mobile monitor that has the same screen size and native resolution as the laptop screen they are using it with. That said, I have found these panels to be forgiving and have had no trouble running portable displays that are slightly larger than my laptop's own screen. As long as you don't mismatch the mobile monitor's and laptop's screen aspect ratio (which, almost always, is a normal 16:9 widescreen ratio), you are unlikely to experience much trouble in matching them up.

Are there alternative portable monitors worth considering?

Mini LED technology, without a doubt, is paving the way for the future of display technology. The advancements it offers, particularly in terms of brightness, contrast, and color accuracy, make it a superior choice for most applications. Whether you’re a professional looking for precise color accuracy or a gamer aiming for a visually immersive experience, a mini LED monitor is sure to enhance your digital interactions. Asus ROG Strix XG17AHPE specs: Size: 17.3 inches | Panel type: IPS | Resolution: 1080p | Touchscreen: No | HDR: No | Refresh rate: 240 Hz| Power: Integrated battery As female HDMI connectors are usually recessed into the body of TVs, games consoles, projectors, computers, and monitors - and because they tend to be more susceptible to deforming under excessive strain than male connectors - they’re more widely sold as standalone replacement parts.

A second display doesn't need to break the bank to provide quality imaging. Whether you are using it for gaming or remote work, the Hongo 16.1-inch portable monitor is a quality portable monitor, that provides a bright and crisp display at a relatively affordable price. Refresh rate: This is unimportant for portable monitors (as you won’t be gaming on them) but you should expect a refresh rate of 60Hz. Connect one display with up to 4K resolution at 60 Hz using the HDMI port and up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz using the Thunderbolt ports. Ports: Most modern portable monitors use USB-C for power and video transmission, so if your laptop, PC, smartphone or tablet relies on other forms of connector, you’ll have to take that into account. If not USB-C, the monitor may have microUSB or even mini-HDMI ports for video and power transmission.

When we're looking at the panels for mobile monitors, the main factors we evaluate are the screen size, the native resolution, the brightness range, the technology the panel uses, and the maker's claims for color-gamut coverage. All the models use the same 15.6in 60Hz 1080p IPS panel, too, so you’re not missing out on image quality. Peak brightness isn’t amazing, but you don’t really need a lot of brightness on an office screen. It has excellent viewing angles and the anti-glare coating means reflections are kept to an absolute minimum. It even comes with an orientation sensor so you can use it in portrait mode as well as landscape. The best portable monitor overall with easy and magnetic attachment for slide-out capability. This has served ZDNET's June Wan well during his busy video-editing workflow. After going hands-on with the Duex Plus portable monitor, we can say that its lightweight build, surprisingly easy set-up, and slide-out mechanism make it June Wan's "productivity secret weapon."