Back in March, when I was told that I would be working from home for the foreseeable future, I knew that I was going to need a monitor to get work done. The issue is that most larger monitors and displays cost a fortune, or have been sold out for months. Then I discovered the Lepow Portable Monitor.
At 15.6″, the Computer Display/monitor by Lepow is a 1920×1080 Full HD IPS Screen USB-C monitor that has gotten me through the last couple of weeks being in quarantine with my family out of town. My job loaned us your traditional desk monitor, but I knew it would be a hassle to carry around and set up on the go, so the Lepow was the happy medium that I needed. While not a touchscreen, the Lepow monitor has been great in tandem with my MacBook Pro, connected courtesy of an HDMI to Mini HDMI cable that comes included in the box. It allows me to view those large spreadsheets and items that wouldn’t readily fit on my 15-inch MacBook Pro.
Inside the box, you’ll find:
- Screen Protector
- 5W Power Adapter
- USB-C to USB A cable
- 6 Foot HDMI to Mini HDMI cable
- 6 Foot USB Type C Cable
- Lepow Portable Monitor
- Instruction Manual
It’s extremely portable, which is something that I value. The Lepow comes complete with a case which allows the portable monitor to be viewed from three different angles; it’s great for having an extra window open for research, or even for gaming. The case also protects the display when not in use. While I don’t game at all from my MacBook (for obvious reasons), its worth mentioning that you can connect the Lepow monitor to your iPad Pro (via dongle) to play games on an even larger display. This makes playing everything from Blackjack to Fortnite much more comfortable to view thanks to the display’s larger size and 1080p resolution. While there’s a noticeable difference in image quality when looking at my MacBook Pro or iPad Pro, it is not enough to distract from the fact that it is still a very quality monitor in its own right. If you plan on photo editing, or in my case, podcast editing and light excel work, this is a must-have device, especially when traveling.
My wife mentioned a use-case scenario that I had never really considered. When Baby Alston gets here, and once she is old enough to watch television and cartoons, we could bring it along when we travel; it would be great to connect to an iPad so she can view her favorite shows. I could theoretically have my laptop or tablet open, and let my child watch her shows on the Lepow monitor while I do my browsing and typing without disturbing her. This may not be for everyone, but it will be fantastic for us.
The Bezels for the Lepow are relatively thin as well, so you get more screen retail.
On the left of the Lepow, there’s a mini-HDMI port, a USB-C port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack (which the iPad Pro is sorely lacking). Somehow, I managed to leave the included mini-HDMI cable at home on my travels, so I had to purchase one on Amazon Prime, which was relatively cheap. But to avoid forgetting this must-have, I’ll just keep one packed in my bag.
On the right, there’s a power button, a wheel for configuring the onscreen display, and another USB-Port to round things off. This particular USB-C port powers the display. Both sides of the Lepow monitor have speaker grills as well, just don’t expect Dolby surround sound from them. They are serviceable in a small room setting, but they will get drowned out if you have a chatty person watching that Plex film with you in the lounge. But if you’re a gamer that just so happens to be traveling for the summer, you can easily carry your PS4 or Xbox with the Lepow. With a luminance of 300 nits, it’s brighter than many other portable displays. This means you’ll get decent reds and blues, but they won’t be as bright as a more accurate (and likely more expensive) display.
One thing that I did notice about the Lepow monitor was that when I connected it to an external device, the other device did not need to stay on for the Lepow to show what was on its display. When you connect your laptop, phone, or tablet to the monitor, you’ll be prompted to choose between mirroring the screen or just showing the display, which it does with ease. This means even if you decide to close your laptop, you will still get an onscreen view of what would have been on your device on the Lepow, which is good for streaming video and gaming.
Overall, the 15.6″ Lepow Portable Monitor is one handy display that is powered by the included AC adapter, or it can be powered by your computer, which is great in the coffee shop. If you can look past the difference in screen resolution and colors when compared to, say, a MacBook or iPad Pro, you’ll find that the Lepow Portable Monitor is a must-have in your travel/WFH essentials. Keep in mind, though, that if you are into photo editing and looking for an external monitor, this might not be the one for you.
The 15.6″ Lepow Portable Monitor retails for $219.99; it is available from Amazon [affiliate link]
Source: Manufacturer supplied review unit
What I Like: Super portable; Comes with a carrying case and screen protector; Great for gaming in hotels and on the go
What Needs Improvement: Color gamut could use some improvements
