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| Model | Display Size | Resolution | Aspect Ratio | Panel Type | Color Gamut | Color Accuracy | Refresh Rate | Response Time | Brightness | Contrast Ratio | Connectivity | Ports & I/O | Weight | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS ZenScreen OLED MQ16AH ASUS | — | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) | 16:9 | OLED | 100% DCI-P3 | Delta E < 2 | 60 Hz | 1 ms (GTG) | — | — | N/A | 2x USB-C (DP Alt Mode), 1x Mini HDMI | — | 358.7 x 226.2 x 9.0 mm (14.12 x 8.91 x 0.35 in) |
Portable monitors are changing how IT professionals and creatives work — a thin, lightweight secondary screen that fits in a backpack and connects to your laptop with a single USB-C cable. From programming, graphic design, and video editing to gaming with a Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck, portable monitors expand your workspace anytime, anywhere.
The portable monitor market has exploded — from 2M VND to over 15M VND, from 13.3" 1080p to 17" 4K OLED. This guide will help you choose the right portable monitor for your needs.
Five main factors: size and resolution, panel type, connectivity, weight and thinness, and special features (touchscreen, built-in battery, speakers).
Size and resolution: 13.3-15.6" 1080p — standard, sufficient for mobile work. 15.6-17" 2K/4K — for designers and video editors who need large screen real estate. 18" — newly emerging, offering near-desktop monitor experience. Resolution: 1080p (FHD) is the minimum. 2K (QHD 2560×1600) for sharper text. 4K (UHD 3840×2160) for design and video, but uses more battery.
Panel type: IPS — good colors, wide viewing angles (178°), the standard. OLED — stunning colors, deep blacks, infinite contrast, but 2-3x more expensive. TN — cheap but poor colors, narrow viewing angles — avoid. Choose IPS for most needs, OLED for professional color work.
Connectivity: USB-C (with DisplayPort Alt Mode support) — the most important. One USB-C cable carries both video and power. Mini HDMI — backup for devices without USB-C video output. Thunderbolt 4 — for MacBook Pro, high bandwidth. Check if your laptop has a USB-C port supporting video output — if not, you'll need an adapter.
Weight and thinness: A portable monitor should be under 1kg, ideally 500-800g. Thickness under 10mm. Should include a protective case/cover that doubles as a stand. The lighter the monitor, the easier it is to carry.
| Specification | Description | Recommended Level |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Screen diagonal (inches) | 15.6" (balanced), 17" (more space) |
| Resolution | Pixel count: FHD/QHD/4K | FHD (basic), QHD/4K (design work) |
| Panel | IPS, OLED, TN | IPS (standard), OLED (premium) |
| Brightness (nits) | Maximum brightness. Higher = usable outdoors | 300 nits (indoor), 500+ nits (outdoor) |
| Connectivity | USB-C (DP Alt Mode), Mini HDMI, Thunderbolt | Minimum 2 USB-C + Mini HDMI |
| Touchscreen | Multi-touch, stylus support? | Yes (if using with phone/tablet) |
| Built-in battery | Internal battery for untethered use | Optional — adds weight and cost |
| Speakers | Built-in speakers | Nice to have (quality is usually poor, use headphones) |
| Weight | Weight including case | <1kg (ideally under 800g) |
15.6" 1080p IPS, 300 nits, 2 USB-C, cover case. Suitable for programmers and office workers who need a secondary screen for code, documents, and email. Simple, reliable, no unnecessary features. The Lenovo ThinkVision M14 is the benchmark — thin, lightweight (600g), great build quality.
QHD 2560×1600 or 4K, high-quality IPS, USB-C 96W PD (charges laptop through monitor), optional touchscreen. Suitable for designers and photo/video editors — accurate colors, spacious workspace. The ASUS ZenScreen MB16QHG offers 2K 120Hz — excellent for both work and light gaming.
Stunning colors, true blacks, infinite contrast. 100% DCI-P3, Delta E <2 (color accurate). Suitable for professional video editors, designers, and tech enthusiasts. Costs about twice as much as IPS. Downsides: susceptible to burn-in with static images, lower brightness than IPS.
17.3" FHD 240Hz (XG17) or 16" 2K 120Hz. Adaptive Sync (FreeSync), 3ms response time. Built-in 8-hour battery. For gamers who want a gaming secondary monitor while traveling, or connecting to a Steam Deck/ROG Ally. More expensive and heavier.
| Segment | Price | Features | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 1.5 - 3M VND | 13-15.6" FHD, IPS 250 nits, 1-2 USB-C, cover case, no touchscreen | AOC I1601FW, Lepow Z1 Gamut, Eimio M156 |
| Mid-range | 3 - 6M VND | 15.6" FHD/QHD, IPS 300 nits, USB-C + Mini HDMI, optional touchscreen | Lenovo ThinkVision M14, ASUS ZenScreen MB14 |
| Premium | 6 - 10M VND | 16" 2K/4K, high-quality IPS, USB-C 96W PD, touchscreen, USB hub | ASUS ZenScreen MB16QHG, ViewSonic VG1656 |
| Flagship / Gaming | 10 - 18M+ VND | OLED 4K or 240Hz gaming, built-in battery, premium build, Thunderbolt | ASUS ROG XG17, ASUS ZenScreen OLED, INNOCN OLED |
| Brand | Known For | Segment |
|---|---|---|
| ASUS | ZenSeries — most diverse portable monitor lineup, feature-rich, high quality | Mid-range - Flagship |
| Lenovo | ThinkVision M14 — thin, light, sturdy build, good warranty, enterprise standard | Mid-range - Premium |
| ViewSonic | Portable monitors with good touchscreens, competitive pricing, stable color quality | Mid-range - Premium |
| AOC | I1601FW — reliable budget entry-level portable monitor | Basic - Mid-range |
| INNOCN | Affordable OLED portable monitors with excellent color quality | Premium |
| ASUS ROG | Strix XG17 — the only 240Hz gaming portable monitor on the market | Flagship Gaming |
iPad + Sidecar (Mac) or SuperDisplay/Spacedesk (Windows) turns a tablet into a secondary screen over USB/network. Flexible — it's both a tablet and a secondary screen. But an iPad (10-20M VND) costs much more than a portable monitor (2-6M VND). Tablets have higher latency, drain battery, and are smaller. If you already own an iPad, Sidecar is free. If not, a portable monitor is far cheaper.
Desktop monitors (24-27" 4K) cost 5-10M VND, have better image quality, higher brightness, and more ports. But they're not portable and need a power outlet. Portable monitors lose on quality and value compared to desktop, but win on portability. If you only work in one place, a desktop monitor is the smarter choice.
Some portable monitors only need one USB-C cable (from a laptop with USB-C DP Alt Mode + sufficient power delivery). Others require USB-C video + a separate USB-C power cable — inconvenient. Check your laptop: MacBook Pro (sufficient USB-C power), MacBook Air (may not have enough power for 16"+ monitors, needs external power). Windows laptops often need 2 cables or external power for larger monitors.
A portable monitor is one of the best productivity upgrades for IT professionals and mobile creatives. For most users, the ASUS ZenScreen MB16A** or Lenovo ThinkVision M14 (3-5M VND) — 15.6" FHD IPS, 2 USB-C, thin and light under 800g, integrated cover stand — is the optimal choice.
If you do design work and need accurate colors, the ASUS ZenScreen MB16QHG (6-8M VND) with QHD 2560×1600, 100% sRGB, and USB-C 96W PD will be an excellent work tool. And remember: check your laptop's USB-C port before buying — that's the most common mistake.