Having a secondary monitor isn’t an option for some people, it’s an absolute necessity as it skyrockets productivity by cutting down on the amount of alt-tabbing needed to get things done.
But highly mobile workers are at a disadvantage – they may have laptops, but taking a second screen with them wherever they go isn’t exactly easy or convenient.
And that’s part of the reason ASUS developed the MB168B, a slim and lightweight monitor that’s not just easy to transport, but which gets around the issue of requiring a power outlet by working off of USB.
That’s right, this screen pulls both power and data from a computer’s USB 3.0 port, allowing it to function as a second screen absolutely anywhere thanks to the higher bandwidth and general performance of the USB 3.0 standard.
At 15.6 inches wide, the MB168B offers the same screen real estate as a mid-size laptop screen, and its resolution of 1366 x 768 is HD-ready and sufficient for most tasks. I wasn’t entirely nuts about it not being Full HD, but it’s still more than good enough for second-screen purposes.
It comes with a carry case as well, and is incredibly easy to pack up and transport. The included case transforms into a convenient stand, allowing the screen to balance on a flat surface without any other assistance.
ASUS kept the MB168B’s look in line with its stylish and award-winning Zenbook design, giving it the by-now-familiar metallic concentric circle design of that range. The result is a very attractive, and very thin (8mm) portable display.
In addition to working as a second screen for a laptop-toting traveler, it could also work quite well as a point of sale screen as these don’t need to be huge and they’re generally used to display basic information. The MB168B is great for this.
While the display is also compatible with USB 2.0 ports, its brightness and overall image quality will be impacted by that older standard’s comparative lack of bandwidth.
Which is a shame, as it’s not exactly super bright over USB 3.0 – my review unit’s display looked decidedly dull and washed out hooked up to my work laptop. Chalk that up to its 200 cd/㎡ brightness and 500:1 contrast ratio.
But ultimately, if the computer it’s connected to has power, it just works. And thanks to built-in sensors, the display can be set to automatically rotate to accommodate both portrait and landscape orientations.
At a recommended retail price of R2 499 (but available for less if you look around online), the MB168B is a solid option for buyers looking to fill a display need that includes both mobility and convenience.
[su_box title=”Specifications” box_color=”#f37021″]
Panel Size: Widescreen 15.6″ (39.6cm) 16:9
Panel Type: WLED/ TN
True Resolution: 1366×768
Display Viewing Area(HxV): 344.23 x 193.53 mm
Pixel Pitch: 0.252mm
Brightness(Max): 200 cd/㎡
Contrast Ratio (Max): 500:1
Viewing Angle (CR≧10): 90°(H)/65°(V)
Response Time: 11ms
[/su_box]
