By If you purchase portable monitors at a bargain, they are almost free. However, what if you are looking for a wireless portable monitor? The ViewSonic VG1656N provides precisely that at a reasonable cost. Regretfully, ViewSonic does so at the expense of the monitor’s image quality.
Specs and Features
The fundamental features of the ViewSonic VG1656N are the same as those of dozens of rival models. With a 16:10 aspect ratio, 1,920 x 1,200 resolution, and a refresh rate of 60 Hz, it has a 16-inch IPS display panel. Without its distinctive features, the VG1656N’s roughly $300 MSRP would be difficult to defend, and none of these specs are noteworthy.
- 16-inch 16:10 widescreen display
- Resolution in native: 1920 x 1200
- Type of panel: IPS
- 60 Hz is the refresh rate.
- No adaptive sync
- HDR: Not present
- Ports: 60 watts, two USB-C 3.2 ports with DisplayPort Alternate Mode VESA mount power delivery: nonexistent
- Two 2-watt speakers are used.
- Yes, a wireless display
- Cost: MSRP $299.99
What distinguishes the VG1656N is its wireless connectivity. Despite being widely available, wireless portable monitors are typically pricey, with several models costing more than $300. As a result, the VG1656N is reasonably priced.
Design
It was a little confusing to unpack and set up the ViewSonic VG1656N because of the fabric-covered magnetic support that connects to the portable display. It took me a few minutes to figure out the proper orientation, but I managed to set it up without using the handbook. Since my review item did not come with a manual, I am glad I did not require one.
The included stand is good. Despite its fragile appearance, it is very stable and requires a lot of energy to topple. Once in position, the stand is solid and can be folded to accommodate multiple tilt degrees. Additionally, the detachable stand aids ViewSonic in minimizing the weight and bulk of the VG1656N: The display panel is just 0.38 inches thick and weighs 1.8 pounds.
ViewSonic VG1656-2K 16 Inch WQXGA 1600p IPS Portable Monitor with 2 Way Powered 65W USB C, and Smart Cover with Built-in Stand
The stand supports both portrait and landscape orientations. The VG1656N’s 16-inch display panel is the ideal size for placing in portrait mode next to a 27-inch monitor, which is a huge benefit because portrait orientation frequently makes better use of a portable monitor’s real estate.
Since the VG1656N is a wireless display with an integrated battery, no cables are needed to connect it to a Mac or PC. A Wi-Fi dongle that is included makes this feasible. I had no issues with interference or inconsistent connections, and the monitor and dongle paired automatically.
The dongle uses USB-C to connect to your computer. If the USB-C ports on your computer are close together, it will fit tightly because it is large—roughly twice as big as ordinary USB flash drives. Since the dongle is necessary for a wireless connection, you should also keep an eye on it.
Features
Regarding the VG1656N’s menu system, there is not much to discuss. It has only four preset image quality modes, brightness, and contrast, and is controlled by the power and volume rocker.
The 2-watt speakers have good clarity and loudness. Games, movies, and music sound thin without bass, but they are fine in an emergency.
Up to 3.5 hours of battery life is claimed by the monitor’s integrated battery. The brightness settings have a significant impact on this; I saw that it drained in roughly one and a half hours at full brightness. The battery is limited to powering the monitor; it cannot be used to power other devices externally.
Performance
Similar to HDR, the VG1656N does not prioritize motion performance. It quotes a high gray-to-gray pixel response time of 9.5 milliseconds and maintains a 60Hz refresh rate. Playing fast-paced games or merely moving a window across the screen causes motion blur.
Conclusion
Customers who value wireless capability over image quality might consider the ViewSonic VG1656N. Its wireless setup is simple and dependable, and its input lag is low enough to be useful. The battery is usable but has a limited lifespan. However, it is limited by its poor image quality and limited color spectrum. Nonetheless, the VG1656N makes sense if all you want is a wireless portable monitor and image quality is not a major concern.
