These external screens can really come in handy when you either have limited space to work with or you are traveling thanks to how thin they are, their lighter weight (compared to a full monitor), and versatile connectivity. It helps keep the footprint down while still providing multiple screens to play with. Best used with laptops than anything else, but they can connect to virtually anything that supports HDMI or video over USB-C.
This one in particular (UPERFECT’s new 15.6-in Portable Touchscreen Monitor with Built-in Swivel Stand) is a nice break away from the normal models we come across that usually have the flip case that turns into a stand. Instead, the stand is built into the back of the monitor and swivels allowing you to use the monitor in either direction (landscape or portrait mode), which is quite useful. It is also more solid compared to using a flip case.
The stand is durable and tight, so you know it won’t collapse on you. Its angle can be adjusted and it even has a leg that slides in and out for when you are using it in portrait mode.
All of your controls and connectivity are in the stand on the back instead of the sides of the monitor. This we really liked as it keeps everything clean. When you have cables coming out of the sides of the monitor, they can sometimes get in the way with how far they stick out, or simply don’t look nice. This solves all of that by keeping everything hidden behind the screen.
Of course, this doesn’t come without a few disadvantages. Without having the flip case, you now don’t have any protection for the screen when traveling. So you’ll have to figure that one out yourself. Thankfully, there are a lot of various (thin) laptop sleeves out there that could accomplish this just fine. If not, then stick using it in a static situation where it isn’t mobile and simply remains put as part of a docking situation.
One side of the stand contains the HDMI connection, as well as a headset connection that can be used for headphones, headsets, or external speakers. Of course, there are built-in speakers as well. They don’t sound the best given they are packed away into a tiny bit of space. However, they aren’t bad either. We’d say they are equivalent to an entry-level 13″-14″ laptop’s internal speakers.
You also have a menu button with a scroll wheel. These allow you to get around the menu for configuration. The scroll wheel also lets you quickly adjust the volume or brightness without having to dig around the menu.
The other end has two USB-C connections. The one labeled “Type-C” is for connecting to a laptop that allows video over USB-C. Not all laptops support this, so if it doesn’t you’ll end up using the HDMI port instead. If your laptop does support video over USB-C, the single connection will act as the data connection as well as the power to the screen (so no other cables will be needed). If not, you will need a USB-C to wall adapter plugged into the USB-C port labeled “PD” along with the HDMI to the laptop.
Speaking of that “PD” port! It can also serve another function. If your laptop supports video over USB-C, it may (likely) support the ability to charge the laptop over that USB-C port as well. If so, you can use both USB-C ports on the screen. The PD port, once again, being connected to a wall adapter. As long as that wall adapter can supply at least 60W, it will pass that to the laptop to charge the laptop, while the laptop is using the screen. You are now using two USB-C cables instead of one, however, you don’t have to have a charger plugged into the laptop, so it balances out.
The only catch is that the monitor will only supply up to 45W back to the laptop (the screen itself consumes 8W on top of that). So if your laptop requires more than this, it won’t charge (or it will charge slower than normal depending on the model). This is also why we recommend a 60W wall adapter as this would cover the max 45W of power back to the laptop as well as the power needed for the screen.
Most of the laptops here are 65W+, so that’s how we ran into the 45W limitation. We use 100W+ wall adapters, which solidifies this limitation.
Finally, you also have a USB-A (normal USB) port. This is simply for connecting an accessory like a mouse or keyboard, which will then pass over to the laptop for control.
The light that is built into the stand is a neat touch for those that like LEDs on everything. It has its purpose for some but it can be turned off within the menu for those that don’t need it. It would be nice if it could be taken brighter so it can be used as more of a bias light when close to a wall, but that isn’t important (just a thought).
You have the option of flipping through multiple colors and effects to choose from. Allowing you to customize it to your setup or personal preferences. Again, it isn’t the brightest LED light, but it will be enough to add to the environment a little. Or, at least impress anyone nearby.
Performance/Results
We tested it by hooking it up next to one of our Dell laptops we have lying around. We reset the Dell screen so we could see what they both look like right out of the box with *only* brightness adjusted.
We had to adjust the brightness because, like many of these portable screens, it does arrive with the brightness all the way down for some reason. However, a quick change in the menu, and everything was looking great. In fact, it looked almost equal side by side with the Dell screen and the Dell screen is a fancy 4K HDR. Sample images would be the bubbles rising in water, and the stream of cereal crossing the milk (the above two images).
Then we started tweaking the monitor in the settings. We left the Dell alone at this point as we wanted to see if we can make the portable screen a little better. As you can see from the image of the girl running or the isolated picture of splashing milk (both available above), it can actually really be brought to life. In fact, the color profiles looked better than the Dell screen (of course, we can bring that up to snuff as well and a little better by playing with the settings on the Dell). The colors are quite rich though and really help sell things.
Having a screen that supports touch really helps out when you are working within certain interfaces or games, or you simply just want to quickly drag things around vs using the touchpad. Especially when it comes to getting around the menu. It is just as responsive to touch as the Dell’s screen, so that’s another great selling point for it.
As you can see in this image of a brown liquid splashing upward, we did find that there is some light leaking from the edges in certain areas. The Dell has a little of this as well, but not as bad (then again, it’s also more expensive). Honestly, it isn’t too bad for the cost and although the blacks aren’t as dark, they do still look very nice.
What’s in the box?
It does come with everything you need for connectivity. Four different cables to make sure you always have data and power no matter the configuration. Of these, our favorite method will always be USB-C to USB-C if your system/dock supports video over USB-C. Fewer cables, less footprint, fewer things to drag around. However, they have you covered either way.
They even include a wall adapter for the screen. Given, this isn’t the 60W+ wall adapter we recommended before. This is just an adapter for powering the screen itself if you are connecting it to an HDMI device. If you want to use the PD feature for covering both the monitor and up to 45W to the laptop, you’ll have to buy your own 60w+ adapter.
Keep in mind, you can just use your laptop’s power cable for power and the USB-C (if your laptop supports video over USB-C) to the monitor and no other cables would be needed to the monitor in that situation. Your laptop just has to be able to support this, and this, of course, is assuming your laptop has a DC power connection in addition to the USB-C port.
Final Thoughts
It is a little expensive for a 1080p@60 screen. However, touchscreens are expensive by nature, so this is to be expected. It does way into our score of things a little, but not by much. For what it is, the screen has a lot of use potential for many types of consumers. From mild to intermediate gamers that don’t require the best of the best (ie, 4K@120+) to consumers who travel a lot for work or play.
Additional specifications are available below for your consumption.
Additional Images:
Specifications:
- Resolution: 1920×1080
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Display Type: IPS
- Visual Angle: 178 degree
- Response Time: 3-5ms
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Contrast Ratio: 2000:1
- Brightness: 300cd/m2
- Input: DC 5V,3A
- Rated Power: 8W
- Screen Size: 14.8 x 8.85 x 0.59 inches
- Color Gamut: 85% NTSC
- Built-in Speaks: 8ohm, 2W
- Port: Type-C port, PD port, HD port, Headphone port
- Weight: 4.62 lb
Are you a manufacturer or distributor that would like us to test something out for review? Contact us and we can let you know where to send the product and we will try it out.
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