Many things change as we move into the future, and technology is one of the most obvious. With more and more people working remotely, a portable monitor for your MacBook Pro can help expand your workspace without adding to the clutter.
How?
An additional monitor will allow you to expand your work, spread applications to the second monitor for umpteen productivity. Get the job done easier and impress!
Whether you are a writer, graphic designer, coder, or into financial markets, these agile displays are winning over laptop users by delivering on more screen real estate without spending on a full-size monitor. Truth be told, a big monitor beside your laptop does not look nice. Also, you don’t need to invest in a hefty dual monitor desktop setup either. Just a laptop and an extendable monitor. Enough.
Why a portable monitor of all things?
These monitors are flexible devices too.
They can work with almost all sort of display machines – smartphones, laptops, PCs, and gaming consoles. These monitors are way different than conventional monitors, slim and lightweight in design but just as functional.
Now if you have a MacBook, you should get a compatible portable monitor. Chances are, you work on it for more than a couple of hours. Get the additional display and breeze through deadlines!
Portable Monitor for MacBook Pro: Buyer’s Guide
The primary advantage of using these monitors is the ease of connectivity on offer. These are essentially USB-powered monitors. You can easily plug them in via USB, or better, via HDMI if available, and enjoy your brand-new dual-screen setup.
There are a large number of variations when it comes down to size, and you can easily select the one which you can carry in your backpack. But before buying one randomly, we suggest you go through this buyer’s guide specially for portable monitors.
Screen Resolution
A lower resolution monitor will only be able to display low-quality images. If you want to enjoy a clear and crisp image go for at least HD resolutions. Give a considerable weightage to contrast ratio and try to buy one which offers more colors, for enjoying a better contrast ratio. Learn more about different resolutions and their advantages.
Size & Weight
People prefer different sizes for secondary displays, which mostly depends on the intended purpose. The most in-demand monitors these days are 17.3 inches and 15.6 inches displays. Lighter and slimmer monitors are easy to carry and handle. Such devices will take less space and one can keep them in their backpacks.
Compatibility
Make sure the portable display you purchase is compatible with your MacBook Pro. If you intend to pass it around to your family members, make sure they know how to connect the monitor via USB or HDMI.
Connectivity
Most portable monitors available in the markets come with either USB or HDMI or both. Ensure that the monitor of your choice has all the connectivity options from Type-C, HDMI, and VGA to make the most out of it.
Top manufacturers are launching thin and light portable monitors, which are just as good as their full-size counterparts. There are a large number of options to choose from if you want a multi-screen setup with you wherever you go.
The portable monitors for MacBook Pro are designed to be carried anywhere as they are light and slim enough to be carried in a backpack.
Check out some of the best portable monitors for MacBook Pro in 2022
Best Portable Monitors for MacBook Pro
5. AOC e1659Fwu 15.6 inch
Best Budget Portable Monitor
The AOC 15.6 inch portable monitor is an ace in the hole, especially for budget buyers. An HD display monitors functional in both Landscape and Portrait mode. It works and charges via just one USB cable, resolving the need for separate power or VGA cables.
The design of this device is highly functional as it offers a removable base and comes with wall mounting points. Single-cable operations make this device highly versatile, especially for use as a live picture frame. It is compatible with macOS. The lightweight and slim design make it a perfect device for frequent travelers.
This AOC portable monitor offers decent picture quality with a 500:1 contrast ratio and a 5 ms response times. Being a 60 Hz monitor, the display can also be used for light gaming. It also comes with DisplayLink compatibility, allowing you to connect multiple display monitors. Priced at just below $100, this laptop is a win-win situation for new buyers.
Technical Specifications
Dimensions: 14.56 x 8.63 x 0.87 inches | Resolution: 1366 x 768 | Screen Size: 15.6 inches | Connectivity: USB | Weight: 2.4 pounds | Refresh Rates: 60 Hz
4. Lepow 15.6 inch
Best Value Portable Monitor
The Lepow portable 15.6-inch monitor launched recently comes with a Full HD 1080P resolution offering stunning image quality. If that’s not enough, Lepow also comes with in-built dual speakers for a surround sound experience.
The prime highlight of this device is its slim profile, which is a mere 8.7 mm. Moreover, the display comes with IPS Eye Care Screen. It comes with multiple hardware interface modes, HDMI and USB Type-C, which offer multiple connectivity modes to users. It also comes with a durable exterior cover, which can also be folded into different positions.
Priced at well under $200, this device offers a bang for your buck, with little room to want anymore. Considering that you also get a working HDR mode, this is easily one of the best portable monitors for MacBook Pro you can buy.
Technical Specifications
Dimensions: 14.5 x 8.8 x 0.34 inches | Resolution: Full HD, 1920 x 1080, 1080P | Screen Size: 15.6 inches | Connectivity: USB | Weight: 1.7 pounds | Refresh Rates: 60 Hz
3. View Sonic 22 Inch
Best Large Display
Next on our list is the Viewsonic TD 2230, which comes with a massive 22-inch display and Full HD picture quality. It offers all the connectivity options including USB, HDMI, VGA, and a DisplayPort as well.
ViewSonic cramps in a display with a 50 million:1 contrast ratio to deliver exceptional display quality across all 22 inches of it. All these features come at the cost of heavier weight though with this monitor measuring in at 7.9 pounds. Portability can be a problem but considering the display size though, it’s an acceptable compromise.
The screen is a 7H scratch-resistant surface with 178 degrees of viewing angles and an adjustable stand. And it’s a touchscreen too! Currently priced at around $260, ViewSonic is cementing its place as the leading display manufacturer one segment at a time. This is a must-buy if you want a big display for your MacBook pro and not worried about the extra weightage.
Technical Specifications
Dimensions: 19.3 x 11.80 x 1.90 inches | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Screen Size: 22 inches | Connectivity: USB | Weight: 7.9 pounds | Refresh Rates: 76 Hz
2. Lenovo Thinkvision M 14 – 14 inch ( Best display)
Best Display Quality
The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of a display unit is its display quality. Just where this Lenovo Thinkvision M-14 beats others to the dust.
Flaunting a beautiful 14-inch Full HD 1080P display and sufficient 300 nits brightness, this is the best display quality you can get on a portable monitor. This portable monitor comes with blue-light technology to protect your eyes from the danger of constantly working beside a display.
The design of this device is among the best in portable monitors. It’s featherweight and you also get alignment controls to get the best out of it.
Priced at a bit above $200, this portable monitor is specifically crafted for those prioritizing display quality above all other features. True, it’s a small display. But what it offers, this is the best portable monitor for your MacBook Pro.
Technical Specifications
Dimensions: 15.7 x 10.80 x 2.4 inches | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Full HD | Screen Size: 14 inches | Connectivity: USB | Weight: 1.26 pounds | Refresh Rates: 60 Hz
1. ASUS ZenScreen 15.6 inch
Best Overall Portable Monitor
The ASUS ZenScreen 15.6-inch model is a premium portable monitor designed to work with all major devices. This portable monitor works with hybrid signal solutions for offering compatibility with both USB Type-C and Type-A. And considering the number of features on offer, this is our best portable monitor for your MacBook Pro.
For starters, you get ASUS Eye Care technology with TUV Rheinland-certified flicker-free backlighting and a blue light filter to minimize eye fatigue. Its slim and sleek design backed by a brilliantly colorful display and makes ZenScreen a high-end portable monitor offering FHD resolutions.
This versatile touch-sensitive beauty offers a unique combination of quality, connectivity, and price as well. At only around $225, you get sufficient screen size, a crisp FHD display, and touchscreen functions as well. What else?
Technical Specifications
Dimensions: 14.56 x 8.63 x 0.87 inches | Resolution: Full HD 1080i | Screen Size: 15.6 inches | Connectivity: USB | Weight: 1.7 pounds | Refresh Rates: 60 Hz
How to Set Up Dual Monitors with a Macbook Pro?
Setting up any secondary display with MacBook is easy. As MacBooks generally come with Type-C ports, you can make use of the following connectivity options.
- Type-C to Type-C cable
- Type-C to DisplayPort cable
- Type-C to HDMI
- Type-C to VGA
Simply plug it in and work your MacBook will let you use as a duplicate screen as a second screen plus other options.
Conclusion
We recommend making a list of your specifications and consider the price before making any purchase. For budget buyers, know this, an HDMI connectivity portable monitor will cost higher than a USB-powered device. A portable display unit will make your work more convenient.
But before purchasing any device, you must prioritize your requirements as there are loads of portable monitor models on the market, and each of them offers distinguishing features. Choose the monitor as per your requirement and budget. We recommend not to compromise on display resolutions.
