Asus ZenScreen MB16AC (15.6, FHD, IPS) Monitor Review. Asus zenscreen mb16ac

The world’s slimmest and lightest 15.6-inch portable monitor

Asus today announces the local availability of the ZenScreen MB16AC. The slimmest and lightest portable monitor to grace the Philippine market.

The Asus ZenScreen is a 15.6-inch portable monitor that weighs in at 780 grams. It features an ultra-thin 8 mm profile and a 6.5 mm bezel for a larger display area. Asus also utilized a single cable for the power and display signal, eliminating clutter.

The ZenScreen also comes with a folding case to protect it from dust and scratches. Plus, it also serves as a stand to prop up the device in portrait or landscape orientation. The Asus ZenScreen MB16AC is available for 15620 PHP. For more information, read the full PR below.

Asus Announces Local Availability of ZenScreen MB16AC Portable Monitor

Asus today announced ZenScreen MB16AC, the world’s slimmest and lightest 15.6-inch Full HD companion display. Prior to its release, ZenScreen MB16AC won the 2017 iF Product Design and Red Dot Design Awards. It weighs just 780 grams and has an 8 mm profile, with an ultra-thin 6.5 mm bezel that is 60 percent thinner than previous models to provide a larger display area.

Hybrid signal solution with USB Type-A and Type-C support

ZenScreen MB16AC only requires a single USB connection for both power and video transmission from the host device, cutting down on the number of cables required to give users a neater work area. It features a hybrid solution that supports both USB Type-C (USB-C and Type-A connectors. For Type-A connector support, a software driver is installed to ensure compatibility with current and future devices. The reversible, any-way-up USB-C connector makes connecting devices easy, so there is no chance of damaging the cable or port by plugging in devices the ‘wrong’ way.

Foldable Smart case

An innovative foldable Smart case protects ZenScreen MB16AC from dust and scratches. The case can also fold into a stand to prop the display up in portrait or landscape orientation. ZenScreen MB16AC has an award-winning design that features a Smart pen hole in the bottom right-hand corner, where users can insert the bundled ZenScreen pen to prop the screen up.

Asus Eye Care technology

ZenScreen MB16AC has the TÜV Rheinland-certified Eye Care Technology that includes Blue Light Filter and Flicker-Free technologies. Asus Blue Light Filter protects users from harmful blue light by reducing blue light emissions by up to 70 percent, and features four filter settings that can be easily accessed via the onscreen display menu.

Asus Flicker-Free technology reduces flicker for a comfortable viewing experience. It helps minimize instances of eyestrain and other damaging ailments, and is beneficial for users who spend hours in front of a display.

AVAILABILITY PRICING

Asus ZenScreen MB16AC is available for Php15,620 in the following retail stores in Cebu and Davao:

• Asia Pacific Computers
• Davao Futurebright Enterprises
• Gaisano Interpace Computer Systems
• Nutech Marketing
• SECC Computer Sales and Thinking Tools Inc.
• Luzon availability will follow by February

For updates, please check where to buy section of this link https://www.Asus.com/ph/Monitors/MB16AC/

PRESS RELEASE

Asus ZenScreen MB16AC (15.6, FHD, IPS) Monitor Review

Portable USB monitor. No recharging, one cable, light and slim. Asus‘ portable monitor is neither matte nor particularly bright. Although the poor color space will deter professionals, the very high contrast will certainly appeal to everyone.

Sebastian Jentsch. Sebastian Jentsch. ✓ Stefanie Voigt. Published 10/02/2017

For the original German review, see here.

With the ZenScreen MB16AC Asus has a portable monitor, the in its portfolio. It can boast with handy dimensions (360 x 226 x 8 mm/~14.2 x ~8.9 x 0.3 in) and low weight (780 grams/~1.7 lb). A USB 3.0 port in the laptop or convertible is the only thing needed for using the monitor.

The user has simply to connect a cable into the laptop’s USB Type-C and it is ready to use. Windows 10 identifies the monitor extension immediately. A Type-C port is not present? No problem: The included adapter turns the Type-C to Type-A.

Case and Build

The ZenScreen has only a narrow, 8-millimeter (~0.3 in) bezel. Its weight of 780 grams (~1.7 lb) is comfortable to hold. The aluminum back (brushed) and aluminum lower edge make a solid and high-quality impression. The circular brushed pattern on the back follows that of the ZenBooks and is also found stylishly on the front’s lower edge.

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Software and Setup

DisplayLink is the technology behind video via USB. These adapters for connecting every monitor via a USB 2.0 port have been available since USB 2.0. USB docks have featured this technology and the tester has previously used such a dongle since VGA or HDMI was not available on his PC.

A disadvantage in the USB 2.0 past was a latency that was always more or less noticed in the mouse cursor or typing in Word in the worst case.

USB 3.0 has this issue under control thanks to higher bandwidths. However, USB monitors still have a relatively high latency and are thus not very useful for gaming, at least not for fast-paced games.

Software is not actually needed for running the ZenScreen. No matter whether via Type-C with Thunderbolt or a simple Type-A 3.0 port: Plug’n’play. Windows identifies the DisplayLink monitor. Nevertheless, we recommend installing the latest DisplayLink driver.

Like every external TFT, the ZenScreen has OnScreenDisplay (OSD). Using it with two buttons is tedious for the finger; we had to go back to square one every time we entered a character too many. Asus’ DisplayWidget helps here. It is a tool that unites all OSD settings in one app. For example, the color profiles can be changed on the fly.

Contrast

The 15.6-inch monitor has a Full HD resolution common for this size, at least when we consider laptops of this size. This does not improve the surface much when connected to a 14-inch device. The MB16AC will probably be most useful in combination with 12 and 13-inch devices or when extending the desktop.

Asus’ monitor achieves a contrast of 8300:1 on average thanks to the low black level of 0.02 cd/m², which is an excellent rate. It can clearly outperform good laptop screens with 1000:1. 1500:1.

The illumination is relatively homogeneous. However, brighter corners can be seen after prolonged illumination, especially in the lower area (see screenshot).

Maximum: 174 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 154.3 cd/m²Brightness Distribution: 82 % Center on Battery: 166 cd/m² Contrast: 8300:1 (Black: 0.02 cd/m²)ΔE Color 3.51 | 0.55-29.43 Ø5.2ΔE Greyscale 2.49 | 0.57-98 Ø5.464% sRGB (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)41% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)Gamma: 2.38

Outdoors and Brightness

The average brightness of just 154 cd/m² is disappointing. Such a low brightness was last measured in 2008 in some ThinkPads. Some of the listed external TFTs in the chart are not the brightest, but none is as dark as the ZenScreen.

A limited current to the USB port cannot be the reason for the low brightness. Type-C allows 3 amperes (15 watts) and USB 3.0/3.1 0.9 ampere (4.5 watts).

Thus, the ZenScreen cannot be used outdoors. It also has a glossy surface. However, the screen comes to its limits in dark gaming contents even indoors (see “Witcher 3” at 100% brightness).

Viewing Angles

The viewing angles are on a good level as typical for IPS. The content is clearly legible from all sides without brightness loss or ghosting.

PWM / Display Flickering

Fortunately, we did not determine backlight flickering in any brightness level in our tests. Apparently, Asus does not use PWM for controlling the backlight. Thus, prolonged use should not cause eyestrain or headaches.

Display Response Times

The display response times for changing gray tones, as well as black to white are slightly below average (for desktop monitors). Compared with laptop screens that are normally slower, Asus‘ monitor does a good job with both black/white and gray tones.

Color Reproduction

We use the CalMAN software in conjunction with our X-Rite i1Pro 2 photospectrometer for measuring color accuracy. The ColorChecker test determined a good yet not very good DeltaE 2000 rate of 3.5 in the standard settings. We measured this in the sRGB menu setting. The outcome of 3.65 was slightly worse after calibrating. The best screens in our test achieve a rate of 1 (e.g. Apple iPad Pro 12, 9/2017).

The grayscales of our review sample are a bit better and achieve a DeltaE 2000 rate of 2.5. However, the grayscale rates of almost all review samples are marginally higher than the ColorChecker average.

The monitor does not stand out at all with an sRGB color space coverage of 64%.

Verdict

With the ZenScreen MB16AC, Asus has launched a portable monitor on the market that convinces with handy dimensions (360 x 226 x 8 mm/~14.2 x ~8.9 x 0.3 in) and low weight (780 grams/~1.7 lb). The ZenScreen will not appeal to professionals: The limited sRGB color space is far from covered and the brightness thwarts any intention of using it on the terrace (glossy). On the other hand, the contrast is extremely high, which is ideal for videos, photo sessions or presentations as long as they take place indoors or in the evening.

Asus is not alone with the ZenScreen MB16AC. The manufacturer already had its portable 15-inch MB169B (220 Euros / 200) on the market in 2015. The ZenScreen is a bit more expensive, but it has a higher contrast and the (somewhat) smaller size. The weight is almost identical (780 vs. 800 gram/~1.7 vs ~1.76 lb).

Users who want it even smaller will find this in HP’s EliteDisplay S140S. This 14-inch monitor costs 190 Euros/300) but has a resolution of only 1600 x 900 pixels and is only a viewing angle dependent TN TFT model. This is no longer recommendable nowadays.

AOC once had the 22-inch E2251Fwu on the market. Today, only the 17-inch E1759FWU that does not seem particularly attractive with 1600×900 pixels is found.

Further research will present a GeChic 1503H, which is also a portable monitor. This 15.6-inch 1080p, IPS model is identical to the ZenScreen at a first glance, but it is only powered via USB. The 1503H also has to be connected via HDMI or VGA. The GeChic 1503H costs 350 Euros/350.

In a nutshell, the ZenScreen MB16AC is a piece of useful hardware at a reasonable price. The competition either has lower resolution or is considerably more expensive than the 270 Euros (326) that Asus recommends. The low brightness and consequently outdoor-unsuitability is its biggest drawback. The generous warranty period of three years is also worth a mention.

Asus ZenScreen MB16AC 15.6” USB Type-C Portable Monitor Review

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At NerdTechy, we’ve had the opportunity to try out a whole lot of technology, both low end and high end. But there is one luxury we’ve been fortunate enough to have access to, that we just couldn’t’ live without.

If you spend a lot of time on the computer, dual monitors are one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve your productivity. Dual monitors make it easy to multitask. Whether you’re filling out a report for work, typing up your thesis, or simply browsing the internet, dual screens let you quickly change between apps without having to enter an endless alt-tab cycle.

On a desktop, adding a second monitor is easy. Just pick up any model you choose and plug it in to one of the many available video outputs. But on a laptop, this isn’t quite as easy. Not only do you need to find a monitor that’s portable, but you also need something that will work with the limited ports you’ve got access to.

Fortunately, Asus has come up with a solution. Their ZenScreen MB16AC Portable Monitor offers big-screen efficiency in a stylish and portable USB-C package. Wondering what the difference is between this unique screen and a standard model? In this review, we’ll be putting it to the test. We’ll find out exactly what this monitor can do, and help you decide if it has a place in your mobile workstation.

First Look

Featuring a stylish exterior and a 1080p screen, it looks great both on and off screen. It’s designed to work primarily with USB-C computers, but also has backwards compatibility with USB type A outputs. At only 1.7 pounds, it’s extremely lightweight. The included cover protects the screen when not in use, and doubles as a stand when it’s on. The monitor pivots on the stand, and can be used in both portrait and landscape mode. As far as portable monitors go, this checks all of our boxes. But to really put it to the test, we’ll have to see how it performs in the real world.

Connectivity

USB type A, or USB type C? No matter what you’ve got on your computer, both options are supported. Your USB port supplies both power and video signal, so you don’t have to worry about a power supply. But there are some important differences between these two standards that you should know about.

USB-C is an entirely new interface. It allows many different types of data to be transmitted over a common bus. When you use a USB-C monitor, you’re actually sending it a DisplayPort signal. When using USB-C, this monitor behaves no differently than any other model. Video is transmitted at a high frame rate, and there is no lag or artifacts.

USB type A is completely different. Because of USB-A’s limited bandwidth, the video must be heavily compressed. A built in processor translates this compressed video into what you see on your display, and it’s lag depends on how much information you have on the screen. Are you browsing the web, or editing a document? For these types of activities, there is very little changing on the screen. Generally, using this monitor over USB type A is just the same as using a standard monitor. But if you’re playing games or watching movies, there is lost of movement and data being transmitted to the screen. For these types of usage scenarios, you’ll want to make sure you use USB-C, as USB-A introduces too much lag for the screen to be ideal.

Image Quality

Asus is known for producing high quality peripherals and computers, and the ZenScreen MB16AC is no different. While Full HD 1080p might not be the highest resolution available on the market, it still looks great. Text is sharp and clear, and video is crisp and detailed.

But it’s not the clarity that really stands out about this monitor. It’s the color. Asus combined a high quality backlight with LCD technology to produce an image that is vivid and engaging. Viewing images and video is incredibly enjoyable on this monitor, making it the perfect choice for multimedia.

But if you’re going to be spending a lot of time looking at this screen, it’s important that it doesn’t hurt your eyes. Asus uses a special backlight that is Rheinland-certified flicker free. This prevents frustrating flicker that gives many people migraines. They also installed a special blue light filter, which is known to prevent eyestrain. Many people believe that blue light has a negative impact on your sleeping habits when used in the afternoon and evening. If you’re using a program that reduces blue light at these times, the blue light filter in this monitor will do the job for you.

Design

A nice looking screen is important, but the visual appearance of the unit as a whole is also essential. In this department, Asus doesn’t disappoint. This external monitor has a sleek and professional look, allowing it to look great on any workstation.

The first thing that you’ll notice about it is the craftsmanship. Brushed metal seamlessly meets plastic, with the crisp lines adding a hint of contrast to an otherwise smooth exterior. The monitor is almost impossibly thin, measuring a measly 0.3 inches in width. This eye-catching design allows the monitor to fit the sleek style used across all of Asus’ “zen” branded hardware, and can drastically improve the appearance of your workstation.

One of the most unique design elements of the Asus ZenScreen MB16AC is the Smart pen hole. This is a tiny circular hole located on the bottom left of the screen. Should you choose not to use the Smart cover, you can insert any pen into this hole to use it as a stand. If you walk into a meeting and need to stand the monitor upright, just grab any pen and you’ve got a stand ready to go.

Features

One of the features that stood out the most of this display was the Asus Display Widget. This is a piece of software that comes along with the monitor and allows you to quickly toggle important display settings. Brightness, contrast, orientation, and color settings are all available at the touch of a button. We appreciated having the color settings available because this monitor has a unique color profile. If you’re editing images or trying to see how your report looks before printing it, the unique coloring means that what you see on the display won’t be what others see on their screen. Cycling through the color options allows you to select a more muted looking tone, giving it a much more calibrated appearance.

When combined with the Smart cover that doubles as a stand, this display is packed with features that you won’t find elsewhere, providing good value.

Disadvantages

Using LCD technology instead of LED allows the monitor to be thin, and helps in creating a vibrant color profile. Unfortunately, this technology is a little long in the tooth. You don’t get quite the same black levels as with an LED monitor, and the color isn’t quite as accurate. This technology is fine for many purposes, but isn’t suitable for work that requires precision. LCD is also better in an indoor environment, and won’t work quite as well outside in bright sunlight.

Final Verdict

If you’re looking for a way to add a second monitor to your laptop, the Asus ZenScreen MB16AC would be a great place to start. This monitor makes a fantastic travel companion, as it’s both portable and stylish. No matter where you choose to set up your office, this monitor will ensure that everyone around knows that you mean business.

From a functional perspective, it’s extremely easy to use. With only one connection to make, USB-C is definitely the most convenient interface on the market. As long as you’re using this connection, this monitor will work just as well as anything else on the market.

Still using a computer that doesn’t support USB-C? You’re in luck, this monitor supports USB-A as well. But without USB-C, this monitor isn’t for everyone. Lag is introduced when transmitting large amounts of video files, and it isn’t suitable for all applications. If you’re simply editing documents, surfing the web, or looking for a way to keep a reference document open while you work on your main monitor, we’d still recommend the ZenScreen MB16AC over USB-A. But if you’re planning to play games or watch movies, we only recommend this for use with more modern connections.

Using the new MacBook? If having a single USB-C port had got you down, check out our review of the Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Express Dock HD. It enables you to connect a variety of thunderbolt compatible hardware, and also provides a number of additional ports so you can work with all of your older hardware.

Pete Hutchinson takes a look at Asus’ sleek-looking travel display with a thin and lightweight form factor

Pre-order the ZenScreen MB16AC, today!

ZenScreen MB16AC core specs:

• 15.6-inch (1920 x 1080p) IPS screen
• Single USB-C connection for both video and power transmission
• Weighs only 780g and is just 8mm thick
• Foldable Smart case – doubles up as a protective sleeve and stand
• Automatically senses orientation

The perfect travel monitor?

I travel a lot for work and have always preferred editing videos on a big desktop computer as opposed to using a laptop on the go. Asus is set to change all that with its new 15.6-inch portable monitor: the ZenScreen MB16C. This USB monitor allows users to work more efficiently and comfortably, while travelling, by simply plugging into a laptop or PC.

The ZenScreen has an ultra-slim 8mm profile and weighs just 0.78kg, meaning you can slip it into your hand luggage with ease and it comes with a foldable Smart case removing the need for a big stand. I like how the monitor draws power from the device it’s used with, doing away with the hefty power cables and adapters a normal display would have.

Obviously, this is something to bear in mind if you want to edit without direct power to your laptop, in which case you’ll have to keep an eye on the monitor’s battery level indicator. Aside from the typical laptop users, if you are someone who likes to take a compact PC on trips – like a Mac mini or Mac Pro – then this is a great lightweight monitor solution to pair it up with!

Compatibility and operation

Operation of the device is very simple as it only has three buttons and one USB Type-C port. If your laptop doesn’t have a USB Type-C port, the ZenScreen comes with a handy USB Type-A adapter. The monitor works seamlessly with most new devices, and older devices simply require you to download the necessary Asus drivers. If you are concerned about the compatibility of your device, you might want to try this helpful tool.

I absolutely love the well-designed folding Smart case, which allows the ZenScreen to stand up in a number of different orientations, including a vertical one which works well when editing vertical Instagram videos. This could also be utilised well for applications such as scrolling, looking through a feed or coding.

The ZenScreen also comes with a standard ballpoint pen that fits through a hole in the bottom right-hand corner of the display, allowing you to stand the device up without using the Smart case. However, I found this a bit gimmicky and preferred to use the Smart case – especially since it provides added protection.

Speed of use is a really important feature for me and the ZenScreen didn’t disappoint. It boots up in just a few seconds and features automatic orientation detection, so you don’t have to change the screen’s orientation manually. Another nice touch is the ability to change between a few different picture modes, including sRGB Mode, Scenery Mode, Theatre Mode, Night View Mode, Game Mode, Reading Mode and Darkroom Mode, with QuickFit and GamePlus modes too, meaning the ZenScreen will appeal to those who have more than one use for it.

Screen quality

The ZenScreen rocks a 15.6-inch Full HD 1080p display, with a 16:9 aspect ratio. I think this is a really nice size for most tasks and a similar size to most laptop displays that you’ll probably be using it with. At 200 nits, the ZenScreen’s brightness isn’t amazing so I wouldn’t recommend it for outdoor use, but it works just fine indoors.

I found the monitor’s colour accuracy to be decent enough for consuming media and basic editing, but would advise switching over to a higher quality monitor when you’re back from your travels to finish a video edit or similar. The ZenScreen has a handy blue light filter – adjustable within the settings – which we really like for those late nights, when you’re trying to save your eyes from melting! It is also an IPS monitor, which means brightness and colour won’t be affected when you are viewing it from different angles.

Overall thoughts

The ZenScreen MB16AC is a great display if you are looking for extra screen real estate while travelling. It boasts a small and light form factor without any awkwardly large cables or connectors. The foldable Smart case does a great job of protecting the screen and acts as a versatile stand, suitable for both horizontal and vertical orientations.

The screen quality is ideal for typical use – it’s not likely to blow you away, but for a lightweight travel accessory I’m impressed. Paired with a laptop, I found the device great for editing photos or videos. I typically had my effects and settings up on the ZenScreen so that the main video could be previewed in full-screen on my MacBook Pro.

About the Author

Pete Hutchinson is a videographer and photographer based in London. Follow him on Instagram. He also runs Outsight Creations, a small production team specialising in the creation of travel and adventure themed content.