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ASUS MB16ACV ZenScreen Portable 15.6" FHD IPS Monitor $359 ($329 with Klarna) + Delivery @ Umart

530
KLARNA30

Working From Holiday is gonna be the new WFH.

Original deal and discussion thread below. Was available at Scorptec for $359 but they bumped price up quickly after its posted here
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/686881#comment-11848546

Available at Umart for $359 + Delivery $10 = $369 Delivered
A further $30 off if you pay with Klarna and using KLARNA30, bringing it down to $339 delivered

Next best price is Mwave for $379 + $5.99 shipping = $384.99 delivered
https://www.mwave.com.au/product/asus-zenscreen-mb16acv-156-…

With all the flight deals coming up and having booked for a few trips myself, I decided to work out the best portable multi monitor solution for a travelling office set up.

Ordered myself a couple of the ASUS MB16ACV to go with a laptop of choice. Now this is noticeably fewer screens than my 6 monitors set up in the office but will be considerably more portable.

The Asus MB16ACV is the best bang for the buck portable monitor right now, probably. This is the latest model (2021) of the ASUS portable Zenscreen line with the some upgrades, of which the most meaningful being increased Brightness of 250 nits and Contrast Ratio of 800:1, from 220 nits and 700:1 in previous models. These are particularly important due to most reviews commenting on low brightness and contrast being the issue with these low powered portable monitors.

Potential downside of the Zensreen line up is connectivity, having only 1 USB-C port for power delivery and data, except for the GO and Touch models. This means that you will need a suitable laptop. I have an oldish XPS13 with 3 USB-C ports and planning to try using 2 of the MB16ACV as external screens as my travelling office set up. Docking may be required if one of the USB-C port on the XPS13 cannot provide power to the external monitor.

Notable mentions of monitors closely considered VS the Asus Zenscreen MB16ACV
- Dell C1422H & Lenovo M14: Higher brightness at 300 nits, Lower Contrast Ratio at 700:1, Smaller Screen size 14" vs 15.6", More expensive both selling for $469 vs ASUS MB16ACV current sale price of $369. Even at original price of $399 I would still go for the Asus.
- Espresso 15": potentially better spec however comes with glossy screen, too expensive (over $500) and then extra for monitor stand ($60ish) VS ASUS MB16ACV comes with Stand AND Cover at $369.
- Gaming specs: ASUS ROG Strix portable monitor lines, especially the XG17AHPE: Ultimately the best for specs, if money is not an issue at $1000ish a pop. Tempted but way overkill for my needs. If you want to game with a laptop, you would have gotten one with a gaming monitor.
- Other random brands avoided mainly due to lack of thorough testing/reviews online. It is worth mentioning that monitors from Banggood and AliExpress do not come with a warranty like of Asus monitors sold in Australia. For purchases after Feb 2022, ASUS monitors are covered under Perfect Pixel Warranty for 36 months with a promise of Zero Bright or Dark Dot for the warranty period

Other notes from my research and calculation:
- My set up: 2019 XPS 13 with 2 x MB16ACV; external Mouse and Keyboard (bluetooth); Potentially need a Powered Docking Station and if required, I will probably go with the Legion to avoid the external keyboard and extra screen.
Alternative set up considered:
- Old 2019 Lenovo Legion Y7000 15 inch + 1x MB16ACV, can ditch the external keyboard as laptop has Numpad, Probably need docking station
- Getting a new XPS17 for $2,800 + 1x MB16ACV: scrapped plan because of cost. Total weight will be the same as XPS13 + 2x MB16CV.
- If you are going to be ok with 220 nits brightness, i.e. working in a dark room with closed windows or working at night due to time zone difference while on holiday, the best bang for your buck will be the ZenScreen MB16ACE from Amazon for $329 delivered or OW price beat it.
https://www.amazon.com.au/ASUS-MB16ACE-ZENSCREEN-Portable-MN…

The ZenScreen complete line up with different models to avoid confusion
Model Size Brightness Contrast Ratio Inclusion Notes
ZenScreen MB14AC 14" 250 nits 700:1 Stand only
ZenScreen MB16AC 15.6" 220 nits 800:1 Stand only
ZenScreen MB16ACE 15.6" 220 nits 800:1 Stand and cover Best price currently on Amazon for $329 or OW price beat.
ZenScreen MB16ACV 15.6" 250 nits 800:1 Stand and cover GamePlus and QuickFit features
ZenScreen MB16AH 15.6" 250 nits 700:1 Stand and cover Speakers, USB-C & Micro HDMI
ZenScreen Go MB16AHP 15.6" 220 nits 700:1 Stand and cover 7800mAH battery, speakers, USB-C & Micro HDMI
ZenScreen Touch MB16AMT 15.6" 250 nits 700:1 Stand and cover 7800mAh battery, speakers, touchscreen, USB-C & Micro HDMI

Related Stores

Umart
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closed Comments

  • +16

    +1 for the thorough research!

  • +2

    Might be worth mentioning the resolution of these things in the description (1920 x 1080)

    • +1

      All those details and no resolutions mentioned, thought I'd missed it

      • +8

        It does have FHD in the title

  • +7

    Not worth buying I actually had this one claimed warranty twice because this thing stop working after couple of weeks

    • That's a shame as I could use something like this. I'll do some research myself, but anything considered the go-to in this product category?

      EDIT: My bad - the OP has already done this work for us. Thank you! I'll read the rest of your post properly now!

    • +1

      Same problem for me. Only I ended up with a USA based warranty and couldn't return it with COVID going on.
      Bought a Uperfect to replace it from Aliexpress and happy with the Uperfect.

      • +1

        I bought a 4K one first - don't pay extra for 4K in this form factor as the pixels are ridiculously small. FHD is enough.

        • Don't say that to the flagship phone users…

      • thanks for sharing, did you purchase from an Australian retailer and still have to deal with warranty department in USA?

      • Uperfect looks pretty good. I don't really want to sign up for a bunch of different payment systems, so am not a Klarna user. Rather than $360 I might grab a Uperfect for under $300… will have a closer look tonight.

  • $339 with Karma that's good!

  • +2

    Good find!

    “…Now this is noticeably fewer screens than my 6 monitors set up in the office but will be considerably more portable..”

    Is this a humble brag/flex? 😃

    Curious….What job requires 6 screens? Stock Trader?

    • Caped crusader. I joke i joke.

    • +1

      haha you got me it is. I work in finance and occasionally get complex cases requiring cross-referencing multiple sources so the multiple screens improve efficiency and avoid errors, also need more screens for teams video chat and calender/tasks (and Ozbargain)

      • Gotta have a dedicated ozb screen or your ozb badge will be revoked.

        • Phone is fine

      • +1

        I'd like to see some research on that. IMHO anything beyond 4 monitors doesn't improve efficiency any way u look at it. As with video chat I've noticed most people just listen and not pay attention unless it's a class with a teacher and white/digital board.

    • +1

      I've got 4 screens because why not. I don't even have a job.

  • I've been looking for a smaller and cheaper version of these - any suggestions? (10"ish ideally)

    • +1

      Get a galaxy tab s6 used.

      • +1

        How do you output to a tab s6?

        • One ui 3.1 and above allows you extend you laptop screen to the tab s6. Also works for other higher galaxy tab models.

          Note might be a windows 10 or higher feature i think.

          • @xoom: I didn't know that, thanks

        • +1

          I use an app called splashtop wired xdislplay to use a samsung fold as a secondary monitor.. probably possible to use for other devices i imagine

  • Does this require to be powered separately ?

    • It can take power off your laptop or you can power it up with a phone/tablet power brick. Or even a powebank.

    • The ACV model only comes with 1 USB-C port which is for both power and data. You CANNOT power it separately if your laptop cannot deliver power via USB-C. The ZenScreen MB16AH, Go MB16AHP and Touch MB16AMT models have both USB-C & Micro HDMI which can solve this problem.

      • -1

        I wonder if you could power it via a powered usb c hub?

  • Is it touchscreen?

    • One of the reviews mentions its not. I could have misread it though.

    • Only the Touch MB16AMT model has a touch screen.

  • I need one of these and I just cannot decide on which one.

    I want to be able to power it off a laptop (that lacks thunderbolt), and to be able to connect a switch.

    So I guess I need two ports, HDMI and USB-C.

    I'd also love it if I could plug in the USB-C via a USB-A adapter.

    Can anyone help??

  • The AOC that was here in a previous Ozbargin post, https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/683747

    AOC I1659FWUX 15.6" FHD IPS Portable USB 3.0 Powered Monitor

    227$ -11.35$ (eBay)
    1920*1080, 60Hz, 25ms
    220nits, 700:1

    https://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemDesc…

  • +1

    This is DIM!

    Hard to use unless you’re in a dark room

  • Store reps. I'd love a deal on the https://www.asus.com/au/Displays-Desktops/Monitors/ProArt/Pr… ASUS ProArt Display PA148CTV

  • Any tablet with a program like Spacedesk is better value and far more useful when travelling. Also don't need to worry about a USB slot.

    Used to buy these portable monitors for the office, but people break them too easily and limited what you can do with them.

  • Good price for replacement screen for your laptop.
    Remove the old screen, buy hinges from bunnings.
    drill holes and use self tapping screws.to attached hinges from screen to laptop
    Done….. replacement screen

    • MacGyver has entered the chat.

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