ASUS ZenScreen MB16AC

EXTEND YOUR MOBILE WORKSPACE.

PORTABLE USB-CONNECTED DISPLAYS aren’t anything new. However, ASUS’s latest model sports an 800:1 contrast ratio, an IPS panel and a USB-C port. A USB-A adapter is also bundled for older computers. The single cable carries video and power.

A dedicated display like this a great way to get a second screen where you wouldn’t otherwise be able to — like on a laptop. Its 16:9 ratio feels quite natural, plus you don’t have to install any software — both Windows and Mac computers should just recognise it as a DisplayPort-connected screen. The 15.6-inch size and 1080p resolution are comfortable, even though the ZenScreen is clearly not in the same league as a high-end LCD monitor.

The IPS panel is also less capable where colour rendition is concerned; a side-by-side comparison of WebKit’s wide colour gamut demo ( bit.ly/2qVRuUv) reveals the subtle red‑on‑red pattern that was clearly evident on our test MacBook’s Retina display to be invisible on the ZenScreen.

There’s a power button at the bottom right of the display, and two more buttons at the bottom left for navigating menus. The more advanced controls include a four-level blue light filter that adjusts the color output and eight presets for specific tasks, including game, reading and theater modes. If those modes don’t address a task you perform, you can save up to four personal profiles.

You can place a strong metal pen through the corner hole to use the screen in portrait orientation. It comes with a foldable case that not only protects the screen but can also prop it up. Sadly, the auto-rotation feature doesn’t work with macOS, but works smoothly with most other Windows laptops. The protruding cable is rather unsightly, however.

At the end of the day, this is an affordable way to extend your workspace when you’re working away from your home or office, with picture quality that’s good for general tasks, but less so for pro visual work.