I've seen little monitors made to attach/be used alongside a laptop. Does anyone have any insight on those? Best brand, best value? Anything to look for?

I'd like to work remotely, away from my desk and dual monitor setup, but I don't think I'm productive when limited to the one screen on the laptop.

My experience is limited to the AOC models. The first one I had was the kind that ran on USB-A and required a external power source. It was a POS that broke in short order. My 2nd was the USB C version, but it requires you to have a computer with a thunderbolt (USB-C - with displayport capability, not all USB C ports have this). It worked great on my Alienware R4. After the Alienware croaked I bought a 2019 Macbook Pro. Despite the abundant availability of thunderbolt ports, the external display is not compatible with OSX. So it works, but on a very limited number of laptops. Have not tried it in parallels or bootcamp Windows. No idea how well other brands work.

I use an Amazon fire tablet with an app called Twomon USB. Super easy setup.

chris1515 said:

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I've seen little monitors made to attach/be used alongside a laptop. Does anyone have any insight on those? Best brand, best value? Anything to look for?

I'd like to work remotely, away from my desk and dual monitor setup, but I don't think I'm productive when limited to the one screen on the laptop.

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I have the Mobile Pixels version for my laptop and I love it. You essentially attach it to the lid of your laptop by magnets, but it can easily be removed. To use it, you just slide it out to the left or right and connect the cable via USB-A or USB-C. You can also flip it around 180 degrees from your laptop screen to use it as a presentation screen to someone sitting across from you.

The minor drawbacks are the second screen isn't as bright as the laptop one (but it's plenty good for me and you can adjust it to a limit), and it makes the laptop much heavier if you have it attached via the magnets to the laptop. You can also connect it to devices like a Microsoft Surface and supposedly an iPad (but I don't have an iPad).

I have an MSI model 3AA1, fits in my backpack and runs off of USB-C. Power the laptop with USB-C and the monitor is driven and powered via the laptop to the monitor. It works great for what it is.If I leave my job, I will buy something like this.

Amazon Link for similar model.

Bottom line, it is easy, power and video from a single cord and makes my mobile office much easier.

I have this one for my rapsberry pi and I'll take it on work trips to pair with my laptop. Love it and super easy to use.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088D8JG3L?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_ud_dp_SH8F5MP3WX15JMV11H38

Portable Monitor - KYY 15.6inch 1080P FHD USB-C Laptop Monitor HDMI Computer Display HDR IPS Gaming Monitor w/Premium Smart Cover & Speakers, External Monitor for Laptop PC Mac Phone PS4 Xbox Switch

Love mine but don't remember the specs, other than the aforementioned usb c stuff. I do wish I had gotten a touchscreen because I often find myself trying to use it like one since my laptop is touchscreen.

NTXAg10 said:

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I have this one for my rapsberry pi and I'll take it on work trips to pair with my laptop. Love it and super easy to use.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088D8JG3L?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_ud_dp_SH8F5MP3WX15JMV11H38

Portable Monitor - KYY 15.6inch 1080P FHD USB-C Laptop Monitor HDMI Computer Display HDR IPS Gaming Monitor w/Premium Smart Cover & Speakers, External Monitor for Laptop PC Mac Phone PS4 Xbox Switch

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I have pretty much the same one, only touchscreen. Works great for me. The brand for mine is FYHXele. Seems they all have some random brand never heard of. Probably all manufactured at same location.

I've had this Asus one for several years:
https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-MB169B-1920x1080-Portable-Monitor/dp/B013XFJKGI/ref=asc_df_B013XFJKGI/?tag=&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309751315916&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14065967132156473963&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9057137&hvtargid=pla-383890328341&ref=&adgrpid=67183599252&th=1
--- It is powered over USB-A connection from your laptop, so no separate power cord required.
--- It comes with a nice stiff fabric case that doubles as a stand and it is incredibly light weight.
--- Asus has been making these "portable monitors" longer than any other company, they have several different versions with minor differences.
--- The only negative of the model I liked here is the screen is relatively delicate. I had one in its case inside a suitcase [during flight] one time and it cracked the screen. Every since I am more careful and only carry in a backpack.

I got this "Lepow" option for my brother 1 year ago:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V1SQ966/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
--- This one required external power, but it offers both mini HDMI and USB-C connection from laptop.
--- It's a random Chinese brand, but reviews were good and my brother had used it a lot.
--- I expect most of these are similar quality with similar screen fragility, but my brother has had no issues.

I noticed Dell offers a portable monitor now that looks to be good quality.
https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-14-portable-monitor-c1422h/apd/210-bbij/monitors-monitor-accessories
I recently ordered this and will follow up with a brief review in a couple weeks.

I keep a LePow with me pretty much all the time along with a keyboard/trackpad combo to work on headless machines in random locations. Beyond handy. I used to buy a small flat panel to use upon arrival to far away job site and ship it back via UPS. The productivity bump was worth far more than the price of the monitor and shipping.

I've had a Lepow for 2 years now (only use it when nomading it around the country). My biggest complaint is that I don't have a good stand solution for it (the folding case is minimally acceptable), and that if I accidentally hit the video cable it will turn off.

I'm really liking that Dell monitor you linked. Might have to give it a try.

I've used an iPad as a second monitor to my Macbook, very handy if you are in the Mac ecosystem.

Seconded.

Thanks for the links to the asus and Dell options.
I was hesitant to pull the trigger on some random Chinese brand that could be making garbage and then rebrand next week and sell garbage under a new name.

Following up on the Dell portable monitor with brief review:
--- It is essentially the screen from one of their 14" laptops. It is high quality and feels relatively robust.
--- The stand attached with it works well and has buttons for power, night mode (blue light filter), and brightness adjustment. It is powered over single USB-C to USB-C connection.
--- The fabric sleeve that comes with it is thin. It is less sturdy and lower quality than the sleeve/case that comes with Asus portable monitor.
--- I would ideally like to add a piece of cardboard or something in the fabric sleeve to better protect the screen, but it may be too tight of a fit.

I flew with the Asus one for a year, on and off boats, and all over offshore and never had an issue with it. They were pleanty bright enough and the colors are good.

Had a set of little clamps so I could attach it to the older laptop I had.