Ask Engadget: Best USB / secondary monitor?
By Darren Murph 
posted February 18th 2010 11:07PM
posted February 18th 2010 11:07PM
No worries Corey -- we'll point you to our own Mimo impressions, and then we'll ask the readers to contribute from there. Any tips on which USB monitor is best? Any horror stories that we should all be aware of? Chime in below!"My laptop's screen is feeling cramped these days, but since I mostly use it at a desk, I'm thinking of getting a USB monitor instead of a whole new rig. I know Mimo has a bunch of options, but has anyone used them? Are there any other companies out there making these USB-connected secondary displays? I know it's a new industry, but hopefully someone has a first-hand perspective to share. Thanks!"
Can not find any USB monitor with 64-bit Snow Leopard support and capacitive touch screen.
I can't think of one, off hand.
How about any monitor you want + a DisplayLink USB adapter?
@klinquist
Yup, I'd go with this option, I have an Arkview Viewplex which uses DisplayLink on Mac OS X and it works flawlessly.
@klinquist
Seems like the obvious way to go. They are generally around £40 (I just bought one) and then you have complete freedom to find the best deal on your monitor. A bit of research would also ensure Linux/Mac support if that is your thing. The USB adaptors are pretty small and light, and require no additional power.
Diamond BVU195
@klinquist
I'm rockin' an EVGA UV12 display link adapter in my triple monitor setup on my desktop. No complaints, though the max resolution is a bit low (hey...I got it for $20 after rebate). The UV16 is better but of course more expensive.
Though I am curious, does Corey's laptop not have a VGA/DVI/HDMI port ? Even my netbook has one of those. It should be a simple thing to pick up a used ~15" flatpanel on ebay for ~$50 or even a new 19" wide screen for under $100 from TigerDirect or the like.
The world is your oyster man!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
@klinquist
even better than a monitor you want + an expensive display link adapter
is a monitor you want + a cheap usb video card
I've used DisplayLink powered adapters quite a bit and they work very well for office-type work. They have support for both PCs and Macs too. The new chipset they semi-recently came out with supports up to 1920x1200 via DVI/HDMI or 2048x1152 via VGA.
I suggest getting a USB to DVI powered by at least a DL-165 chipset and then picking whichever monitor you want. There are a number of USB to DVI products out there, but quite a few don't list what type of DisplayLink chipset it has; it may even have a previous generation. Pay attention to the max resolution it can support to get an idea what's powering it.
More info on the DisplayLink chipsets: http://www.displaylink.com/displaylink_hardware.html
Though, I'm a bit surprised your laptop doesn't have some type of external monitor port (VGA, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort).
@Fuzzball i was wondering about that myself. i don't think i have ever seen a laptop without video out. i would like to know exactly what laptop he has.
@kojo87
Most have a video-out port, but some won't drive them with Extended Desktop, only either/or or mirrored.
I use my HTC Kaiser and Sidewindow personally...I keep all my Skype stuff on it, and off my desktop. Run the program from Windows and connect via USB...couldnt be easier!
@ashasaur Nice to see someone suggest this :)
I have an old Ipaq HX4700 with a gi-huge 4" display, so it's pretty handy with sidewindow. Since I frequently email in Japanese it's super handy to drag the handwriting Japanese IME down onto it and then write kanji with the stylus. I also use it for email monitoring and IM stuff when I'm traveling and using my laptop.
At $15 it's a super sweet deal. Even if you have to buy a pocket pc...you can get a decent one for $50 used these days.
I had some aspirations of getting an old Xybernaut WebPad DT375 to use at work as a secondary display, but never got around to it...
I've got the Mimo 720 and I quite enjoy it. I use it during the week at work to keep my todo list on display and it holds my chat windows. I bring it home at night (it's the fold-up type) and use it at home to watch movies and TV.
If you've got something you always have open on the side, chat windows, video windows or you use desktop gadgets, I recommend one.
When you say "use it at a desk", do you mean that you take it somewhere and set it up at a desk, or that you usually keep it on your desk at home. I am assuming now that you mean the former, but the way it's worded is, I think, leading people to conclude the latter and make suggestions for non-portable solutions.
Why not just spend a bit extra and get an iPad instead?
@macfreak
i know you've got to be kidding.
@Wildman
or trolling
@macfreak I agree. get an ipad and use it as a coaster wile your shopping for your USB touch screen monitor. Don't want to get coffee on the beautiful wooden desk. :)
@Wildman
Double Kill!
@macfreak
You know, I actually hate to defend this comment, but it might actually have some validity. A couple people (myself included) have commented on an application called 'Sidewindow' that lets you use a PocketPC device as a secondary display. It's inexpensive and very useful. I have in the past, and really still am, toyed with the idea of getting a Xybernaut WebPad DT375, a 9" touchscreen WinCE tablet, for the express purpose of using it with Sidewindow as a secondary display. The only thing that held me back in the end was that they've yet to release a Vist/Win 7 compatible version and I'm trying to migrate away from XP (I'm dual booting for the moment).
Assuming anyone ever makes such an app for the iPad, it might actually fill the same role quite well. The main difference being that a Xybernaut goes for about $50 bucks on eBay these days. An iPad would cost significantly more to put it mildly.
@OddManOut
There is already such an app for iPhone called Mocha VNC and a free one called Mocha VNC lite
Since iPad uses all iPhone apps, using iPad as a secondary screen for your computer is already possible.
I would be interested in knowing about any USB monitors that work with Snow Leopard. It doesn't need to be big, I just want a "dash board" next to my main unit to keep my play list and chat list. I like the Samsung SPF-107H, but it doesn't look to support Macs last I checked. Any help would be great!
@MRPysnik
You are brobably best googling for a USB to VGA adaptor that supports macs rather than individual monitors that do. You can then choose any monitor you want.
I'm in the same spot with my Laptop. I use it mainly as a desktop replacement, that I can take any where that I need to if need be.
I actually use my laptop as a second display, while I use my 23 inch screen as the primary. My Laptop has a touch screen (hpTx2) so if I need to work with touch, I just drag it down to my touch screen and get to work, but I mostly use my 23".
Formerly I had a 42" LCD that I used as my primary. They can be picked up for $500 if you look in the right places. This is the best option I have found! (had to sell if for extra money, hard times!)
Thinkgeek.com has a comparable 7" USB monitor on their website called the Lilliput. It's got similar specs to the Mimo ones but additional drivers don't cost $30
It's also at the (relatively) low price of $99.
@greentee
this is the link:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/usb-gadgets/c609/
@greentee
This would be perfect if it had a resistive touch screen. Do you know of a usb secondary monitor with stylus input?
You can consider an iPad as a secondary monitor, if you've got a Mac.
ScreenRecycler (http://www.screenrecycler.com/) creates a virtual display that can be accessed over VNC. There are plenty of VNC clients for the iPhone, and I'm sure they'll be adapted quickly for the iPad's XGA resolution.
I've tested XGA over G, and it's usable for stuff that doesn't require a high refresh rate, such as gaming or video.
I got a Mimo 710-S a few months ago and it's awesome. I use it for iTunes or an extra file browser while I work during the day, and plug it into my HTPC as an external EQ display when night-hanging. Great brightness...but wouldn't use it for any graphics work, it has nasty gradient banding.
I have the replacement to the 710-S, called the iMo Pivot. It's not a touchscreen, but I really like it for my Win7 desktop gadgets. As a WoW player, I put a shortcut to Ventrilo on there, and it loads on that screen, so I don't have to drop out of the game to use it. I'm in the process of building my new gaming rig, and I plan to use it even more then.
Video/animation is sometimes a bit choppy, but I think that may have to do with the computer currently powering it, rather than the monitor itself. Time will tell when I get the new computer up and running.
Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase.
For a non portable solution, most laptops support a 2nd display...
VGA, HDMI, displaylink... just plug in another monitor, why use usb?
Only reason for usb, is for a portable or 3+ monitors hooked up to the laptop...
However, for a portable one.. which is what the man is looking for, i don't know of any, other than what a quick search for "portable monitors" on google.
My vote is for the Mimo iMo Monitor. It a 7 inch monitor that's powered by exclusively by USB. Acutally I just found out about it here: http://techtrackr.com/2010/02/19/imo-mini-usb-monitor-unboxing-review/. Basically, the review includes HD video and a short write up of the pros/cons. Now, I'm acutally thinking of buying it.
Your in luck, I have purchased both the iMo USB 7 inch monitor and the Lilliput 7 inch USB monitor. For the most port there are really similar. The iMo comes with a small removable stand which helps slightly with angles of use. It also has a small kick stand on the back. The Lilliput has just the kick stand. The can both be used either horizontally or vertically. The screen resolution in the same. They both have simple controls to adjust the contrast. One advantage the Lilliput has is that it also has drivers that will work on a Mac. The iMo will no. I now use the iMo on my PC and the Lilliput on my Macbook Pro. They both work great for the slingbox which has found a home on the 7 inch screen.
I have a Mimo740, great little thing. However - take care, it uses a special driver (DisplayLink technology) that causes frame rates to somewhat low. Normally this is no problem, but if you plan on playing games or using it on your htpc, you might want to think again.
This might change in the future of course, but right now the 5.2 DL-driver and Win 7 32 bit performs slow.
Oh, btw, Linux isn't really supported either.
@tooltime -- I second this. The MIMO USB monitors are ok for static images but by 710 unit did NOT want to play nicely with Windows Media Center (for Vista or W7) nor did it like SageTV. Without being able to use those to programs, the thing was useless to me, so I sold it.
Also, the MIMO unit was very fickle about its power source. I found it would only power on reliably if the two usb connections were plugged directly into ports of the motherboard (eg not a usb hub, not even one with external power). Of course YMMV.
I have the DoubleSight DS-70 U. It is a 7" USB lcd monitor. It came with a fancy stand that can be adjust and rotated in various ways, although you can take it off the stand and just lean it back with a picture-frame like easel. At the time I purchased it I got a $20 rebate, so it was an excellent deal. The only complaint I have is so far the drivers are not supported with Windows Server 2008 R2.
http://displaylink.org/forum/showthread.php?p=146#post146
Last post said "We are currently focusing on 32 bit development, and will aim to release a 64-bit compatible driver later in the year. "
DisplayLink is already 2 months late from their promise. Today there is still NO 64-bit snow leopard support.
I've got a Mimo UM-740, but I don't use it any more. Too small, funky screen size, no touchscreen drivers for OSX 10.6, seemed to take a lot of horsepower to drive it on Windows, not very bright, kinda disappointing.
I've got two IOGear DisplayLink adapters and separate cheap LCD monitors, and they are _so_ much better! Love the DisplayLink, not so much the little tiny screen, regardless of the expense.
Would you like to sell it?
@deckhardt Sure, Email me at deckhardt at compusmiths.com
[yes, really, it's a thowaway. 8*]
I've got 2 of the 710 clamshell Mimo monitors and just last month I picked up the 9" Double-Sight monitor.
The Double-sight is higher resolution(1024x600) and works with my Mac or my PC. It does not have a touchscreen, nor do I really care.
I love the clamshell Mimo, but the 9" double-sight is actually usable. I purchased these monitors because I'm on the road all the time and I've really gotten used to having secondary screens at home. The DS-90 has a cover and an odd stylus-looking pointer that you can use as a stand. I never did use the actual stand that came with it. It basically looks like a picture frame.
I still carry one Mimo and the DS-90 in my laptop bag. I use the Mimo for email and the DS90 for secondary display functions.
Why an iPad makes more sense than a USB display:
- Higher quality screen, with great viewing angles
- Multitouch screen
- Can be portrait or landscape
- Has it's own processor. Can be used even when computer slows down.
- Doesn't take up a USB port on the computer
- Portable - can be picked up and used away from the computer
- Don't continually have to switch window focus between applications on the computer vs monitor to enter text. Can keep window focus on the computer.
- Extra functionality e.g. great eBook reader
The only negative is that the iPad costs more, but you're getting lots of extra functionality/convenience for that price difference.
why are people comparing an iPad to a USB monitor?
Each serve completely different purposes.
This is not a discussion about tablet computers.
If you're going to compare it to a iPad, why don't we include picture frames, 17" monitors, Tablet PCs, heck let's include the entourage edge, Nook and how about the Litl?
Or how about we compare macbook +iPad to the Lenovo W701?
focus people focus :)