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ASUS made the world's first 240Hz portable monitor for gamers
Portable USB monitors are no stranger to Computex, but this year, ASUS brought us something a little more ambitious: the world's first 240Hz portable gaming monitor. The ROG Strix XG17 features a 17.3-inch 1,920 x 1,080 IPS LCD, and it's a high-end affair that offers an adaptive refresh rate of up to 240Hz, along with a 3ms response time. In fact, this is apparently the same speedy matte panel made available on ASUS' Strix Scar III and Hero III laptops. The monitor also comes with built-in stereo speakers, a magnetic kickstand flip cover plus an internal battery. The latter is good for three hours when maxed out at 240Hz, and it supports Quick Charge 3.0 plus USB Power Delivery.
ASUS ZenScreen is the slickest USB monitor I've ever seen
ASUS is known for its design chops, so much so that it could turn even a router into an eye candy. The same goes for its latest USB monitor, the ZenScreen (MB16AC), which turned up on the show floor here at Computex in Taipei. This 15.6-inch, 1080p IPS device is the slickest of its kind I've ever seen, which is largely thanks to its slim 6.5mm bezel, as well as the addition of a metallic chin on the front and the usual spun-metal back. It also helps that the buttons have been moved to said chin -- "Confirm" and "Menu" on the left, "Power" on the right -- in order to keep the edges clean, leaving just a USB-C port on the bottom left side.
Here's the world's first monitor running on just USB Type-C
Single-cable USB monitors have been around for a while, so it was only a matter of time before someone came up with a USB Type-C update. As it turns out, ASUS is the first to announce such a product. Following the MB168B+ from about two years ago, this new MB169C+ portable display features the same 15.6-inch screen size and 1080p resolution, but the old TN panel has finally been upgraded to IPS for much improved colors and viewing angles. ASUS' iconic spin metal design is here to stay, and likewise with the mere 800-gram weight plus 8.5mm thickness -- just a tad more than its predecessor's 8mm.
HP intros its first USB-powered monitor, the U160; goes on sale this month for $179
In case you haven't noticed, HP's presence at CES 2013 pretty much boils down to monitors: the company just unleashed nearly a dozen models and, uh, very little else. As it is, we decided to round up most of the new displays into a single news post, but there's one we felt deserved its own story. That would be the U160, HP's first USB-powered monitor. Now of course, this is hardly the first USB display to hit the market, but it is the first made by HP, which seemed noteworthy enough, given how big a player HP is in the monitor space. In any case, this has a matte 15-inch screen with 1,366 x 768 resolution, and comes with a built-in leather case allowing you to prop it up for presentations and whatnot. It weighs 3.4 pounds and measures 1.2 inches thick, which for comparison's sake means it's slightly heavier than whatever Ultrabook you're carrying around. Interestingly, HP won't discuss the other specs in great detail, except to say that the contrast ratio and brightness levels are comparable to most notebook screens. So we guess you'll just have to take HP's word for it? In any case, if you've been looking for a travel monitor and fancy this one, it goes on sale this month for $179. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
AOC reveals 22-inch, USB-powered 1080p monitor
Take two cables into the shower? Not AOC, who's announced its new e2251Fwu 22-inch USB monitor, a sizable step up from last time. Taking power and signal from the same lead means one less wall port and less desk-spaghetti, which it claims makes it ideal for multi-screen computing. Spec-wise, we're looking at 20,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio (far less at native, no doubt), 1,920 x 1,080 resolution and a 5ms response time. The plug and play device should work on all your favorite operating systems, when it lands in February for $199. See the full PR after the break.
Mimo Magic Touch adds 10 inches of capacitive touchscreen to your PC using only USB
We've seen monitors with touch input and displays powered only by USB, but combining both those features into a single unit would make for something truly unique. We've gotta hand it to Mimo Monitors for pulling it off -- the Magic Touch and Magic Touch Deluxe deliver 10.1 inches of capacitive interactivity using only a single USB 2.0 cable. The panel itself offers a resolution of 1024 x 600 for keeping video chats out of your way, displaying email or monitoring social networks. The Deluxe version also adds a two-port USB hub but, if you plan to charge your devices through it, you'll have to hook up the optional AC adapter. Sadly, while they can act as a secondary monitor regardless of OS, you'll need a Windows 7 machine to take advantage of the touch capabilities -- and even then it's single touch only (though, the panel itself is technically capable of four-point multitouch). Both models are available to pre-order now for $300 (Magic Touch) or $330 (Magic Touch Deluxe) with delivery expected before Christmas. Check out the complete PR after the break. Update: Apparently there's been a last minute change in the Magic Touch's specs. It will indeed be configured to support four-finger multitouch... under Windows 7, at least.
AOC's 16-inch portable monitor sucks power, video from your USB port
AOC's latest may not have the IPS viewing angles of recent tablet offerings or high-end monitors, but this portable 16-inch screen connects -- and powers itself -- through just one USB port. Priced at $139, the AOC e1649fwu also includes a fold-up stand and can be propped up in both portrait and landscape. The 16:9 TFT screen packs 1366x768 resolution, and AOC promises that it won't immediately suck all the life out of your laptop, though we'll hold our judgement until we can get our hands on one. It could be a very canny addition to your portable office arsenal; it weighs in at a spritely 2.3lbs (just under over 1kg) and the 1.4 inch thickness means it may squeeze into some (admittedly more capacious) lappie bags. You'll finally be able to look like you mean business while pluggin' away in your own private corner at Starbucks after this launches next month.
Lenovo aims new ThinkPad Edge laptops and ThinkVision monitor at business weaklings
Lenovo's come to the aid of road-weary business users who want a second screen for their laptops but think a Spacebook is a little excessive. It's just released the 14-inch ThinkVision Mobile Monitor to accompany its new ThinkPad Edge laptops, which gets both power and data via USB, has 16 brightness settings and packs an independent kickstand. It can either be used as a dual display for those mammoth spreadsheets or as a presentation screen where lugging around a projector just isn't practical. The Edge laptops (a 14-inch E425 and a 15.6-inch E525) come with AMD A-Series APUs, an optional fingerprint reader and a choice of "midnight black" (seen above) or "heatwave red" (shot after the break). All three are promised to arrive this month, with the laptops starting at $549 and the monitor priced at $219.99. Of course, if you need a USB-powered display bigger than 14-inches, you might be better off trying one of these.
ASUS MS248B 24-inch display does it all with one cable, thank you USB 3.0
USB-powered monitors started out small but are finally getting big enough to serve as a main display. The 24-inch ASUS MS248B is brought to life with a single cable courtesy of USB 3.0's extra current and bandwidth. What's more, this is achieved with few compromises: the LED monitor is just 16.5mm (0.66-inches) thick, does 1080p with a 2ms response time and has a 10000000:1 contrast ratio (although this last spec requires the usual seasoning). Some extras did have to be thrown overboard to bring power consumption down -- there's no additional USB or audio ports, webcam, card reader or ability to daisy-chain. But then, how much could you achieve with a mere 9W?
Toshiba outs 14-inch, DisplayLink-powered USB mobile monitor for $200
It's been a hot minute since we've seen a new DisplayLink-equipped secondary monitor, but it looks as if the drought is ending today. Toshiba has quietly pushed out a new 14-inch mobile USB display, weighing just 2.8 pounds and retailing for a freakishly affordable $199.99. That sum gets you 1366 x 768 pixels, 220 nits of brightness -- if you plug in an optional AC adapter -- a 400:1 contrast ratio, 16 millisecond response time and native support for Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP. As these things go, a simple USB connection is all that's required to provide basic power to the unit and send the signal, and it seems to be shipping now for those who've outgrown their 7-inch Mimo.
MMT's DisplayLink-equipped 15.4-inch Monitor2Go hands-on at CES 2011 (video)
We just happened upon MMT's Monitor2Go at CES's ShowStoppers event here in Vegas, and... well, it's a Mimo monitor, but huge. The new version -- which is expected to ship in a few months here in the US for $279 -- lacks the number pad that was on last year's model. That one was aimed primarily at accountants on the run, whereas this DisplayLink-equipped version is aimed at everyone else. You can catch up on all of the specifications and such here, but the actual display felt satisfactorily light, the swiveling hinge was rock solid and the screen itself was acceptable for a secondary solution. The low resolution won't dazzle anyone, and it's certainly no replacement for a legitimate monitor, but it's definitely easier to lug around than a new ST2220T. Head on past the break for a quick video demonstration. %Gallery-113149%
MMT's DisplayLink-equipped 15.4-inch USB Monitor2Go given a $279 price
Both DisplayLink and MMT seem pretty darn proud to be revealing the 15.4-inch Monitor2Go here at CES, but in reality, this unit has already been around the block. If you'll recall, the Field Monitor Pro was first spotted a few weeks back, and now MMT is introducing a rebadged version in Vegas. The good news, however, is that we finally have a price to pore over: $279, and it'll ship to consumers later this quarter. For those that missed last month's slip, this fold-up monitor can be used alongside any machine (PCs are green-lit, Mac support is in beta) with a USB port, offering a 1280 x 800 screen resolution and a number pad to boot. Of course, since DisplayLink is behind the pixels, up to six screens can be daisy-chained off of a host computer's single USB port to create a massive video wall -- something we strongly encourage, of course. %Gallery-112226%
Field Monitor Pro: 'portable' 15.4-inch USB monitor packs number pad, DisplayLink
This, friends, is the ThinkPad W700's worst nightmare. Rather than forcing consumers into buying a gargantuan lappie with an inbuilt secondary display (or settling for one of Mimo's diminutive alternatives), Mobile Monitor Technologies has an even better solution: this thing. The four-pound Field Monitor Pro is sure to be a hot seller over at Accountemps, with a fold-flat design and a spacious 15.4-inch LCD underneath. Essentially, this is a 15-inch laptop sans the guts, boasting just a 1280x800 LED-backlit display, a rear kickstand, two Kensington lock slots, a pair of USB 2.0 sockets, DisplayLink technology and a full-on number pad. It's designed to be used in both lay-flat or stood-up modes, and if you're looking for a more permanent solution, it can also be mounted on a nearby wall. Unfortunately, you'll still need a separate AC line running to a wall outlet, and the relatively low resolution isn't apt to drop any jaws. Head on past the break for a peek at what exactly this beast can offer, and then wait patiently for a price as "busy season 2011" swings in. Ah, the sweet smell of taxes coming due. [Thanks, Ian]
Mimo announces iMo eye9 USB touchscreen with built-in webcam
Mimo Monitors isn't exactly short on small USB monitors these days, but that hasn't stopped it from rolling out yet another new model: the 9-inch iMo eye9. As with some of the company's recent models, this one is a touchscreen monitor (resistive, as you might expect), but it takes things one step further than the rest by adding a less-than-discreet 1.3 megapixel webcam. Otherwise, you'll get a basic 1,024 x 600 resolution, plus full Mac and PC compatibility, a detachable base that allows for both portrait and landscape viewing, and a built-in stylus that will also double as a stand. Look for this one to start shipping on November 20th, and you can get your pre-order in now for $229.99.
DisplayLink aims for 'any device, any display connectivity' with USB 3.0
We'd heard back at Christmastime 2009 that USB 3.0-infused DisplayLink kit would be hitting shelves in 2010, and lo and behold, it looks as if someone is dead-set on keeping a promise. Here at IDF 2010, DisplayLink has come forward with public plans to gravitate towards "any device, any display connectivity" with its new USB 3.0 chip platform. The DL-3000 and DL-1000 single chip series are being introduced in San Francisco, with each offering integrated display and networking connectivity, HD video support and "third generation DisplayLink adaptive real-time compression technology that dynamically manages bandwidth, taking full advantage bi-directional throughput of SuperSpeed USB." The gist of all that? Thanks to SuperSpeed bandwidth increases, multiple full HD videos, high resolution graphics and networking data can be processed simultaneously, and there's even the potential to enable graphics delivery over gigabit Ethernet. Essentially, USB 3.0 has opened up an entirely new playing field for DisplayLink, and we're hoping that 2011 is the year that we finally put those resolution caps behind us on USB-enabled docking stations. We'll let you know if we hear more from the show floor -- much to our dismay, hardly anything is said about actual product implementation dates in the PR.
Mimo goes giant with 10-inch iMo Monster USB-driven monitor
Who says the USB monitor fun has to end at seven diagonal inches? Not Mimo, that's for sure. The famed secondary display company has issued its latest device, and this one's a looker. The 10-inch iMo Monster is aptly named, offering 10 full inches of touchscreen real estate with a native 1,024 x 600 resolution panel. The whole thing weighs just 1.77 pounds and it fully supports both Windows and OS X platforms; best of all, a single USB 2.0 cable provides all the power and connectivity you'll need. Mimo throws in a stylus, 4.5-inch USB cable and a boatload of bragging rights, but given the "limited availability," you may want to part ways with your $259.99 right away if you're looking to pick one up.
Mimo's 720-F USB-driven touchscreen monitor gets down with VESA mounts
Ah, Mimo. It has been far, far too long since you've tossed out another product to appease our need for more pixels in every situation, and frankly, we couldn't be happier to see that you're back. Today, the aforesaid company is tossing out a variant of the 710-S that emerged last August, but this one's tailor made to work on VESA mounts. The company claims that the 720-F was born from requests to have a 7-inch touchscreen that could be mounted on VESA brackets, enabling easy installs in cars, server rooms, dashboards, etc. You'll still get an 800 x 480 resolution, 400:1 contrast ratio and a USB-driven design, though you'll be asked to shed $199 from your savings account in order to bring one home. Betcha can't buy just one.
'The Panel' rechargeable LED monitor sentences you to a more productive life
"It would let me set up shop at that posh cafe down the street." That's how you justified your laptop purchase -- but as you sat, gently sipping your macchiato, you realized it would never work without your decidedly non-portable 24-inch Cinema Display's extra real estate. We've been there many a time, and apparently so has a startup named MEDL Technology, which has just finished prototyping the answer to our telecommuting (and portable gaming) woes. Going above and beyond the average, tiny secondary display, "The Panel" is an honest-to-goodness 13.3-inch LED-backlit monitor that's less than an inch thick, but packs incredible connectivity (DVI, VGA, Component, S-Video, mini-HDMI and USB) in addition to a sweet folding stand and up to five hours of rechargeable battery life. MEDL told us that should they secure funding, the firm's looking to launch The Panel in Q4 2010, and is hoping to first sway business users with a sub-$350 price point. To work surrounded by coffee -- without being employed by Starbucks -- that's a small price to pay.%Gallery-88740%
Ask Engadget: Best USB / secondary monitor?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Corey, who needs a secondary display to run widgets, IM boxes and squashed YouTube clips while the real work goes down on the main screen. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "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!" 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!
DoubleSight debuts trio of new Smart USB monitors
Tiny USB monitors may not exactly be a must-have desk accessory for everyone just yet, but those in the market for a bit more screen real estate are fast getting more options to consider, like this new trio of Smart USB monitors from DoubleSight Displays. Available in your choice 7- or 9-inch models, the displays are mostly identical in outward appearance with the notable exception of a detachable webcam on the top-end DS-90UC model, and a higher 1,024 x 600 resolution on the two 9-inch displays, as opposed to a mere 800 x 480 on the lone 7-inch display -- making it a far less attractive choice for all but the most desk space challenged. That choice is made even easier by the fact that the 9-incher costs just $20 more than its smaller counterpart ($140 vs. $120), while the webcam-equipped version will set you back a somewhat heftier $160.
