When you go from a multi-monitor desktop PC to a laptop, it feels like switching from a sports car to a tricycle. But portable USB monitors can fix that problem, and Lenovo’s ThinkVision M14 is the nicest one I’ve ever used.
The M14 is amazingly portable and flexible, and its ThinkPad-style fit and finish is unbeatable. You need a laptop or tablet with USB-C to use it, and it isn’t the cheapest option out there.
But if you want a second screen that’s ready to go anywhere, you should put the M14 at the top your shopping list.
Flawless Fold-Out Design
I’ve used multiple USB-powered portable monitors in the past. Usually, the case doubles as a floppy stand or there’s a weak plastic kickstand on the back. The M14 puts all of them to shame with its integrated design, which features a full, laptop-style hinge for the standing platform, and a small fold-out extender for a little extra height. The stand also holds both the USB-C charging/video ports, the power and brightness buttons, and a Kensington lock slot. The only thing on the screen is, well, screen.
When folded out, the base is incredibly stable anywhere within its 90-degree range of motion. That’s probably because the entire assembly is feather-light at just 1.26 pounds, with a 1/4-inch bezel around three sides. If you slip this thing into your laptop bag, you might forget it’s there.
The fold-out stand also means the M14 fits on almost any desk or table that can accommodate its 13-inch width. When you fold it up, it’s just half an inch thick at its thickest point. And with USB-C ports on both sides to charge it, you can put the M14 pretty much anywhere.
USB-C All the Way
Speaking of those ports, they’re also pretty flexible. You can plug in a USB-C-to-C cable on either side of the screen to connect to your laptop or tablet, or any other device that adheres to the USB-C video-out standard.
And I do mean any device. In addition to its Lenovo cousin, the ThinkPad T490s, I tested the M14 monitor with a Chrome OS tablet, which immediately detected it and started sending correctly-formatted video. I also checked to see if it could charge my Galaxy Note 8 simultaneously. To my surprise, the phone also recognized the screen and activated the built-in Samsung DeX feature to output a desktop interface. Score one for standardized video!
You can also use the monitor as a pass-through for a USB-C charger. So, you can plug the screen into a laptop and run its LCD panel off the laptop’s battery. Or you can plug it into a charger on one side and use the other to send power to your laptop.
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Source : The Lenovo ThinkVision M14 Mobilizes My Multi-Monitor Addiction
