this post was submitted on 13 Sep 2024
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73
People who have those extra fold out laptop monitors, are they any good? (lemm.ee)
submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
17 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

I kinda like the look of them and often feel myself wanting a second monitor if I'm working on my laptop.

(I've come to the conclusion if people think I'm working I won't look like as much of a massive dork)

Always had the feeling they'd be a bit crap though, like the hinges break or the monitor isn't too good or it's big and bulky and you can't really carry it

Ideally I'd like to find a single fold out side monitor that attaches to my laptop (big chunky ThinkPad) somehow and doesn't need its own power supply but that may be asking too much

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[–] [email protected] 40 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (4 children)

I have a portable monitor that I'm pretty pleased with.

It has a magnetic cover that goes over the screen to keep it safe, and that same cover folds and goes on the back to act as a stand when it's in use. Power and video are via the same USB-C cable.

Nice and slim and stays in my bag most of the time but when I want a second screen I can whip it out in two secs.

A screen that attaches to the laptop sounds convenient initially, but I feel like in practice it would be a hindrance and make your laptop clunky and bulky.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 month ago

This is what I would choose, standalone rather than something that attaches to the laptop and folds out.

Attaching, hanging off the side, potential to be bumped, all the weight hanging out cheap laptop hinges. It seems like high risk of things getting loose and damaged, both the extra monitor and the base laptop.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I get what you mean but it's already clunky and bulky, it's a p50

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Yeah but there's clunky in the way where its big but still a single unit as designed and intended, and clunky when its got some extra growth hanging off the back of it like some technological parasite.

Of course, my advice is only that, and you should choose the approach that works best for you. But advice is why you came here right :)

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago

Yep that it is. To be honest can live with an external one, the main thing is keeping it in the same bag as the laptop and not needing an extra power supply adding weight

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

How does it affect battery life? I already have issues with that and my charger is kind of a pain to lug around.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

It would halve it or worse. ASUS makes a few models with built in internal batteries which work quite well.

The type that latch onto your existing laptop display are really not great. They put a huge amount of extra force on the hinge where tons of sensitive ribbon cables live and you are severely limited in viewing angle. Not to mention you can’t move the monitor around in a tight work space or disconnect it easily to hit the field.

A standalone portable monitor is the best solution IMO. The nicer models come with adjustable stands, protective travel cases, and USB-C DP pass through functionality.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

I just got one like that. A cheapo on Amazon for $60. So far i love it.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Portable monitors have been extremely convenient when I used to travel to a client site to program. A cheap one is worth getting.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Do you use an autotiler out of curiosity? I found since using a tiling wm I don't use my extra monitors nearly as much

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago

I got a NexiGo portable gaming monitor that I'm pretty happy with. It is a 16 inch 2560x1600 display, 144Hz, and supports FreeSync. I got a bidirectional DisplayPort to USB C cable so that I could use it with my desktop for LAN parties and it's great. It has a built in flip-out kickstand, a folding magnetic cover, OK built in speakers (good enough to game with anyways), and can be powered via a second USB C port with an A to C cable. On a device that supports USB C video output like a laptop or Steam Deck it can run off a single cable but I mostly wanted it for my desktop.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago

I have a Mobile Pixels one, it's certainly been a big help. Power and picture from the same USB-C cable. It was kind of hard to install (have to adhesive on some magnets correctly, glue wasn't too great, I recently replaced them with some other adhesives I bought online, worked good so far).

For the most part it doesn't give me any issues, does what I want of it, but if I have one complaint it's that when I'm playing a game that uses my laptop's graphics card, I will usually have to unplug and replug the screen back in because it begins fizzling out like it's losing power or signal. Functions fine after though. It's slightly annoying but not that big a deal.

Overall I don't regret my purchase, I just wish it was a bit more polished with an easier and more reliable mounting process and not fizzling out when I play intense games.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago

I have one like tiramichu and also like it. Use it constantly and it's convenient to be able to share things on my screen with people on the other side of my desk occasionally, making it more practical than something built-in to the laptop.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I have one from dell. It has the dell matte finish which I’m not a fan of. It does pass through power so I can put the usbc charge cable on the monitor, then a cable from the monitor to the laptop, to avoid using 2 usbc ports on the laptop. Because of the cable layout I can’t put it right up next to the laptop.

It folds down and is light but I only put it in my bag if I know I’m goin to use it.

I’d get another but I would get Lenovos model to hopefully have the same style finish in the screen.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Can it not be powered via the same cable the display goes over? I only have one usb c port and would rather not have multiple cables for it at all if I can help it

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

Yes, it has two usbc ports and does charging pass through. You just need a decent usb-c cable between the monitor and the laptop. I think usb3.2 or thunderbolt4 are the protocols that can do video and power.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

I used to have one, and in a pinch or in a hotel - yes totally worth it.