ASUS MB169B+ 15.6" Full HD 1920x1080 IPS USB Portable Monitor

Exactly what I was looking for. Im a software developer, and work both on and off-site. When working in the office or at home I have a dual-monitor setup to complement my work-supplied laptop. But when Im really on the road, or working in conference rooms or team coding sessions, I really began to feel constrained by the single monitor. Its just nice to be able to spread code out across several screens while working on interconnected code. Or to be able to have API documentation open on one screen while vim is going on the other. So I began to seek a solution that would provide me with dual-monitor luxury even while away from the traditional desk. My requirements were: * Must work with Ubuntu (Linux). * Must not require an external power source. * Should require only a single cable. * Must be close to the same screen dimensions as my laptop (15.6") * Must be close to the same resolution as my laptop (1920x1080) * Must be lightweight. * Must fit into my laptop bag and backpack alongside my laptop. This unit fit all of those needs perfectly. There are several caveats that if understood ahead of time will help potential buyers make a good decision. First, its designed for Windows 7 or newer, or Mac OS-X. But it also works with Ubuntu by downloading the DisplayLink driver from the DisplayLink website. Some Ubuntu systems (particularly those built on 14.04LTS) will require a kernel update too. And under Ubuntu the auto-rotate capability is not functional. In fact, with current drivers, it only works in landscape mode. I havent tried overriding the basic settings with xrandr or xrotate. Its possible that a little more experimentation would enable portrait mode, which may come in handy for coders who like to do horizontal splits. This is a USB 3 device. I tried it with USB 2 as well, but that required being connected through a powered hub. Similarly, even though my other monitors have USB 3 ports in them, they dont supply enough power on their own to power this unit. But driven directly by USB 3 ports on my laptop (AC or battery powered), or the docking station, it works great. If your USB 3 ports arent capable of supplying sufficient power, though, you may need a powered hub. The color is good, though not identical to my laptop. I havent investigated calibration options because its close enough, and good enough for what I need. The brightness setting works as designed, and the screen is plenty bright. My laptops color doesnt match my full size monitors either (dual 27" Dells at work, and dual 24" Asuss at home), and that really doesnt bother me. The screen is crisp and sharp. And it renders 1920x1080 just as I had hoped. I expected to see some lag, but I dont detect any. The mouse moves across the screen smoothly. The carrying case that comes with it is perfect for carrying the monitor and for protecting it. And reasonably good for serving the second purpose of monitor stand. But I ordered a tablet stand to use instead, and like that better. The monitors build quality is nice. it is slender, light, pretty, and sufficiently robust. It doesnt have a "cheap-o" feel. Recently I plugged the monitor into my laptop at the same time that the laptop was docked, driving my dual 27 inch Dell monitors, and I was almost surprised to discover that it all worked fine. Including the laptops own screen, I had four monitors going in all, working as a single extended desktop. Combined with Ubuntus virtual desktops, the space was really liberating. So if you need a 15.6" portable monitor at 1920x1080 to use alongside your laptop, this is great. Be prepared to use USB 3, and to use a compatible operating system. If you prefer dual-monitors, even on the go, this is hard to beat for the price.

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It works amazingly. I can finally travel anywhere and be just as productive as in my office. Please check out the pictures below. I highly recommend this setup using the Sidecar attachment to attach the screen to your laptop. Reasons? 1) The least utilized space is the space right above your laptop screen. 2) This setup has the smallest footprint, as small as your laptop alone. It leaves table space for your notepad, coffee, books, and other things. 3) Its good for posture. The 2nd screen is at eye level so you can look right ahead. If youre interested in this setup, everything you need is right here for a total $220. Please note I am not selling any of this, nor am I connected in any way with any of the sellers. I just wanted to share a setup that is working wonderfully for me. Cheers USB screen: $180 https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-MB169B-Screen-LED-Lit-Monitor/dp/B013XFJKGI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8 sidecar to attach screen to any laptop: $25 https://www.amazon.com/SideCar-iPad-Monitor-Mount-Functionality/dp/B00OQHUPG2 hinge to support laptop: $4 https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-Hardware-4-Inch-Lifespan-T-Hinge/dp/B000FKEZF6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470325479&sr=8-1&keywords=4+inch+Zinc+Plated+Heavy+Duty+Tee+Hinge velcro strip to attach hinge to laptop: $5 https://www.amazon.com/Command-Damage-Picture-Hanging-Strips/dp/B00404YKZI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1470325681&sr=8-4&keywords=command+strips rubber spray to rubberize hinge tip for extra traction: $6 https://www.amazon.com/Performix-11203-Multi-Purpose-Coating-Aerosol/dp/B0006SU3QW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470326032&sr=8-1&keywords=black+rubber+coating+spray

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I have BOTH the USB 3.0 ("B") and USB C ("C")versions of this monitor, and it might be difficult reading through some of the reviews because you will see conflicting information - IMO, these should be three completely separate products on Amazon, each with their own set of reviews, but because they are mixed, it might be hard to figure out when people are talking about what you are interested in. First things first, since its the first thing out of the package, the cases for these ARE DIFFERENT. The C version of the case is a LOT better, more adjustable, and not nearly as flimsy as a stand as the B version. In both cases, however, while they make great covers/protectors, they both make lousy stands. I do not see how it will tip over on its own if you set it up correctly, but with desk space at a premium, the bases take up an awful large amount of space for what they are doing. I travel and often work in a production trailer, and simply do not have the luxury of that kind of space, but even on my desk at home, I can push my laptop back to give me a lot of working room, while this ASUS monitor needs to be much closer, and then my viewing distances to the screens dont match. A separate stand is recommended if you need to use less desk space. The displays on both versions of the monitor are really quite good - probably better than most cheaper laptop screens, but not nearly as good as the best laptop screens. To be fair, the Dell I use has a UHD display, not a fair comparison. The "B" version screen that Im using with my ACER Aspire is probably better than the built in display. Both of my laptops already had the displaylink drivers installed, so the monitors both worked without any additional installs. The "B" version does come with a disk, while the "C" version does not - presumably, if your laptop is good enough to take advantage of the "C" version, its probably not necessary. In both cases Im using Windows 10, and the disc that came with the "B" version complained the driver wouldnt work with my OS, and directed me to go to the displaylink website anyway, so it was rather pointless. Not only are the ports on each monitor different, the controls are, also. The "B" version, as far as I can figure out, has only an on/off switch and brightness settings. The "C" version has menus that give a lot more options, including contrast and other features. Theres no real documentation on how to use it, so it took me a while to figure it out (and I still cant really figure out more than brightness and contrast). The menu button for the "C" version is kind of awkward to use - a rotary push button. So now down to the display - this applies to both. As Ive mentioned, the display is actually pretty good. At its maximum brightness, its probably not as bright as I would like, but its more than acceptable. I played Netflix on it, and didnt notice any lags or tearing. I did not try any games, as I use my main desktop for games and dont really play a lot on the laptop. If I was going to play CSGO, Id use the laptop display anyway. The view angle is decent. Never as wide as youd like, but comparable to most laptop screens (and actually even better than my ACER). Im really glad I got this - I travel a lot for work, and use graphics software that has a separate output window, and trying to work both within the software screens and see the output at the same time really sucks with one monitor. As a programmer, its also quite nice to have more screen real estate while working on the road - but even when Im at home and using the laptop to work on my porch or someplace other than my desk. For the record, the "C" version is going to be very picky about what it works with. It does NOT work with the USB C port on the ACER, it does work with the Dell XPS. The "B" version works with either one, so if youre looking for broader compatibility, the "B" version is a better choice. The "C" version has a better case and controls, and theoretically (although I couldnt tell in my limited use so far) faster refreshes. Like I said, though, I played Netflix on both and they both looked fine to me. If you know the "C" version will work with your laptop (C with alternate modes capable of display port), and you dont plan on using it on anything else, the "C" might be a better option. EDIT: I do notice that the colors are not quite perfect. Red looks more orange on my "B" monitor. As far as I can tell, there is no way to calibrate it, not even a little - the only control is brightness. Not a deal breaker for me.

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Make sure you get the right one for your needs. I purchased a Skull Canyon NUC and wanted a portable monitor. The USB-C variation is the only one to purchase in that case. The regular USB version requires that you have a primary monitor plugged in and have a DisplayLink driver. Not a huge deal if youre using it as a second monitor for a laptop. But USB-C seems brighter and does not require drivers and most importantly it can work by itself. If you have a USB-C port get that one. If you are using a laptop and only need a second monitor then the regular USB will work fine for that purpose.

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0:00 0:00 This video is not intended for all audiences. What date were you born? January February March April May June July August September October November December 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 1946 1945 1944 1943 1942 1941 1940 1939 1938 1937 1936 1935 1934 1933 1932 1931 1930 1929 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920 1919 1918 1917 1916 1915 1914 1913 1912 1911 1910 1909 1908 1907 1906 1905 1904 1903 1902 1901 1900 Submit Adobe Flash Player is required to watch this video. Install Flash Player I needed an extra display for my 2010 17" MacBook Pro, and I ended up testing this MB169B+(USB3) display on several Mac laptops I have around. You will need to download the driver for Mac, which you find on the provided CD. Thereafter the display connects and functions without problem via ONE USB2 port - thats correct, in my hands this display does not need USB3, nor does it need a double USB connection for sufficient power. In addition, it is possible to connect two of these displays (for a 3 display setup, including the original laptop display) via one USB2 connection for each display. I attach a video where I connected 2 of these displays to an old 2009 13" MacBook (Aluminum unibody, 4GB RAM), and ran two Quicktime videos at the same time - as my video shows, this appears to work nicely. So this display (in 2 and 3 display setup) worked fine on the 2009 13" MacBook and my 2010 17" MacBookPro (both are USB2). The display is not as bright as the Mac display, but I can control brightness with the controls on the side of the display. For my purposes (increase monitor real estate for a trading platform while traveling) the display(s) work(s) nicely. Now, where I ran into some problems was when I connected the display to a 2013 13" MacBookPro (which does have USB3). One display connected without problems, and I could play 2 videos, one on each display. However, I could not share an application window between 2 displays, the part that moved into the new display would just disappear. The 3 display setup did not work at all. I am sure there will be a trick I am not aware off to solve this problem - if anybody knows the answer, please comment and let us know! It is striking that in my hands, the MacBook with USB3 had problems, while the older USB2 MacBooks worked fine. The carrying case/stand is good for carrying, but pretty basic as a stand. There are plenty of adjustable and more stable tablet stands available here on Amazon for around $10, which will work much better to allow adjusting the viewing angle and protect the display from toppling over. UPDATE Dec 2016: I recently upgraded my 2010 17" Mac Book Pro with a USB3.0 Expresscard to run a 3 monitor setup with 2 of these displays connected via USB3 (the USB2 was a bit laggy for 2 external monitors). The 2 displays needed an externally powered USB3 hub to get enough juice in this specific Mac Expresscard setup. Again, like in the 2013 MacBook, running these displays through USB3 does not allow you to share one application window in several screens, while connecting the displays via USB2 does allow sharing application windows. However, I can easily generate 3 different application windows and place them in the 3 different displays, so for my needs these displays work perfectly fine. Also, carrying the 2 displays in a normal-sized backpack is not a problem when traveling.

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Im not going to go beyond where most reviewers have already been. Basically, this is a nice product. The image quality meets my expectations. It is lightweight. Be aware of several things, however: 1) Not just any USB port on your computer will provide enough power to drive this monitor. Try different ports (USB 3 being more likely to work), or you may need to purchase one of the splitter cables with two male ends to plug into two USB ports and one female end to receive the plug from the monitor. 2) The driver which comes on the included DVD is probably going to be out-of-date, and you will need to visit the ASUS website to get an updated driver. Also, when I did this I learned that recent changes in Windows 10 have made the automatic switch to portrait mode unavailable, and I will need to check back later for an additional update. My experience with several online chats with the company were less than satisfying... 3) This display comes with a case, which ASUS also describes as a stand. As a protective case, this items is very nice. As a stand, not so much! I suppose it might work in a pinch or when traveling very light, but for daily use I have found it to be awkward and unstable. I purchased a portable book stand to serve this purpose (see photos and link) Nice Production INP-103-O Book Stand (Bookstand / Bookstands / Holder / Cookbook / Music) Overall Im very happy to have this display, and I think it is one of the best options out there, but making it work for me was not as painless as I had hoped!

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