Which Portable Monitor Size Is Right for You?

Don’t just grab the largest portable monitor you can find; it might not do the job as well as you expect

The way people work has changed rapidly over the last century, but perhaps never faster than in the last few years. The explosion of remote and hybrid work models exposed many workplaces to the possibilities of being productive from home. As the world opened up, many realized they could achieve that kind of productivity anywhere, not just a home office — so long as they have the right tools to get the job done. So, it’s no surprise that some workers start by looking for the largest portable monitor they can find.

Taking more screen real estate with you means more room for documents, charts, and other necessary elements of your digital workspace. But it can also mean more limited home office setup possibilities, and more strain when you must ferry your portable monitor from one space to another. We’ll run through the benefits and drawbacks of differently-sized monitors as we explore how to find the right one for your needs.

Need help picking the right portable monitor for your needs? Check out our complete guide, What to Know About Portable Monitors.

Start with the right portable monitor size category

The increasingly large portable monitor lineup on the market means you have many choices in terms of size. You could opt for a portable monitor small enough to fit into situations where space is at a premium. You could size up to give yourself more room to work. Or you could opt for a monitor that falls somewhere in the middle.

Here are three general size categories for portable monitors and which screen sizes they typically represent. Note that, much like when comparing television or mobile phone sizes, portable monitors are measured diagonally from one corner of the screen to the other.

• Small portable monitors are usually 13” across or smaller. This category encompasses everything from screens the same size as those found on compact laptops to roughly tablet-sized devices. While these kinds of monitors are easy to carry thanks to their minimal footprint, they could result in eye strain if you need to use them with multiple windows or an application with an intricate user interface.
• The largest portable monitors are often 17” across or wider. These types of monitors offer an experience that’s closer to a standard office-sized monitor, which is ideal for multi-window working setups. However, the larger a portable monitor becomes, the less “portable” the experience: Even a single extra inch of screen translates to significantly increased bulk when it’s time to carry a monitor to your next workspace.
• Medium portable monitors occupy the space between the two former categories. They provide screen space that is roughly equivalent to common laptop monitor sizes, making them easier to integrate into existing workflows and physical setups. They balance the benefits and drawbacks of small portable monitors and the largest portable monitors to offer a practical experience that may be the best choice for many users.

Though those categories are important when shopping for a portable monitor, they also directly relate to two other features you’ll want to bear in mind:

• Resolution: Resolution refers to how many individual pixels compose the screen. Computer screen resolution is listed in a width-by-height format, such as 1920x1080. A higher resolution means smoother images, but it also means greater performance demands on your computer. If you use a smaller monitor with a higher resolution, you may need to adjust your settings to ensure documents and applications remain legible.
• Weight: Different types of display panels and other features (which we will discuss in the next section) contribute different amounts of weight to a monitor. But in short, the bigger a screen is, the more it’s likely to weigh. If you plan to lift and carry your display frequently, you may not wish to opt for the largest portable monitors available.

Other portable monitor features to consider

Now that we’ve covered how to compare monitors based on their size and related aspects, here are some other features that can help you find your ideal choice.

• Panel type: A monitor’s panel type refers to the technology it uses to produce an image. Different types of panel, such as LED, LCD-VA, LCD-IPS, and LCD-TN, each have their own strengths and weaknesses. OLED panels have emerged as favorites across multiple categories in recent years thanks to their superior brightness, contrast, response times, and the thinner form factors they enable.
• Speakers: Built-in speakers allow a monitor to provide a complete audio-visual experience without additional hardware or headphones. This is especially practical for portable devices that should be able to function in as self-contained a manner as possible.
• True wireless operation: Want to explore new ways to work? Selecting a portable monitor that can link to your device and power itself without a wired connection can expand your possibilities. Opting for a true wireless portable monitor also simplifies setup after pairing with your device: Just place it, turn it on, and get to work.
• Touch control: Smartphones and tablets have proven the simple power of being able to control our devices via touch. Choose a monitor with multi-point touch support and you will be able to interact with its displayed content without needing to pick up your mouse or reach your touchpad.
• Stylus support: Whether taking quick notes in a meeting or sketching out brainstorming ideas for future discussion, being able to write or draw on a device is eminently practical. Look for monitors that work with an electrostatic, pressure-sensitive stylus to enable precise and satisfying control.

Our recommendation: RICOH Portable Monitor 150BW

Take productivity and comfort wherever you go with our light, sharp, versatile portable monitor for those who work on the road or need extra screen real estate. Stay productive and mobile with our high-performance, lightweight (25.2oz), ultra-slim bezel, OLED touchscreen portable monitors.

The RICOH Portable Monitor 150BW threads the needle as an ideal medium-sized portable monitor. Its 15” screen is large enough to browse the web, watch videos, or collaborate on spreadsheets, while its ultra-thin OLED panel means it’s just .19” wide at its slimmest section for easy stowing. It even works with no wires attached. Click here to learn more about our portable monitor series.

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