By Have you ever wished to get a large portable monitor? Very large? About 27 inches in size?
I would assume that the majority of people would say “no.” But I also know from experience that there is a need for a large portable display that is easy to move between office locations or use in meetings. The Asus ZenScreen MB27ACF might be the display you’ve always desired if that describes you.
Specs and Features
At first glance, the Asus ZenScreen MB27ACF would appear to be a standard 27-inch monitor. As is common for a mid-range LCD monitor, it features an IPS display screen with a resolution of 2560 x 1440.
- 27-inch display with a 16:9 aspect ratio
- Resolution in native: 2560 x 1440
- Type of panel: IPS-LED
- 100 Hz is the refresh rate.
- Yes, adaptive sync
- HDR: VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black, HDR10, yes
- Ports: 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x 3.5mm combination audio jack, 1x USB-C with DisplayPort and 70 watts of USB Power Delivery
- Audio: 1.5-watt woofer, two speakers
- Extra features: Ergonomic C-clamp stand with integrated kickstand
- Cost: $449 MSRP
The MB27ACF is anything but typical, though. In reality, it’s a portable 27-inch display with a kickstand integrated into it. This implies that it can be used anywhere there is space for it to sit (and an AC outlet, as the monitor still needs electricity even though it is portable).
You may still use it just like a regular monitor, though. Instead, the whole purpose is its adaptability, which allows it to be used as both a desktop and a portable display. It even comes with an ergonomic stand that can be attached to a desk using a C-clamp.
Right now, it seems to retail at (or a little above) $449, which is the starting price. That’s a lot for a 27-inch 1440p monitor, but the MB27ACF has a distinct market niche because there aren’t many rivals with the same characteristics.
Design
The Asus ZenScreen MB27ACF is different from most monitors as soon as it is unboxed. Only the integrated kickstand on the back adds a little thickness to its incredibly thin design. When utilizing the ergonomic stand that comes with the monitor, the kickstand can fold flat; otherwise, it can fold out to allow the monitor to stand alone. With one significant exception, it works similarly to smaller portable displays in this regard: Because the MB27ACF needs an external AC power brick, a wall outlet close by is necessary.
An ergonomic desktop stand that is easy to attach and remove is also included with the monitor. This stand saves desk space because it connects via an integrated C-clamp, unlike most that rest on top of your desk. At just 6.5 pounds, the monitor is lightweight and manageable, and the stand’s wedge-shaped attachment makes it easy to slide the MB27ACF on or off in a split second.
The stand isn’t flawless, though. Pressing a lever to change the height isn’t a huge hassle, but it feels a little less elegant than what you would anticipate from a high-end ergonomic stand. In addition, the stand feels looser than the more robust mounts on comparable office monitors in this price range. Although it wasn’t a problem on my desk, it might cause the monitor to shake more than you would want on a less sturdy surface.
The possibilities don’t stop there. Additionally, the monitor comes with two metal brackets that are meant to hang over the top of a cubicle wall and screw into the back of the display. Although it’s a rather specialized mounting solution, some office configurations could find it helpful. The MB27ACF can also be used with any compatible stand or monitor arm of your choosing because these brackets fit onto a 75x75mm VESA mount.
Connectivity
The Asus ZenScreen MB27ACF has a strong design, but connectivity is a glaring flaw. The display only has two video input ports: an HDMI 2.0 port and a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode. For a desktop monitor, that is extremely low, but for a portable display, it is about average.
The majority of midrange Windows laptops and almost all MacBooks can be charged thanks to the USB-C port’s 70-watt power supply capacity. With both a MacBook Air 15 and an HP Omnibook 5, I had no issue using a single cable connection, and there was enough power to keep both charged.
ASUS ZenScreen 27” 1440P Transportable Monitor (MB27ACF) – QHD (2560 x 1440), IPS, 100Hz, USB-C PD 70W,
It’s interesting to note that the MB27ACF can be powered by a USB-C connection alone, although according to Asus, doing so reduces the maximum brightness to 85 nits. I doubt it will be helpful in most circumstances because that is dim.
The location of the port could potentially be problematic. The cords will always be visible because all of the connections are on the left side of the monitor rather than the back. This configuration is less optimal if you intend to keep the monitor on your desk all day, but it is practical for portable use if you often plug it in and unplug it.
The barrel-style power input and a 3.5mm audio-out port are likewise on the left, so you might have up to four cords hanging off that side of the screen.
HDR image quality and motion
HDR is not supported by the Asus ZenScreen MB27ACF. That may appear to be a bad thing, but it’s actually a good thing. Why? There are no good HDR monitors in this category, and many that claim to offer HDR are actually advertising a feature that isn’t functioning well. Since HDR is not listed on the specs sheet, Asus is not attempting to deceive anyone.
The MB27ACF has a 100Hz refresh rate and Adaptive Sync for better motion clarity, while not having HDR. The MB27ACF offers discernible improvements in motion clarity and responsiveness over a 60Hz panel, but it is by no means a gaming monitor. For the purpose for which the monitor is designed, it is most likely not a significant benefit. Even yet, I always like to see refresh rates higher than 60 Hz.
Conclusion
The Asus ZenScreen MB27ACF is a multipurpose 27-inch portable monitor that comes with a desk stand and an integrated kickstand. The monitor’s exceptional adaptability makes it helpful if you frequently need to share your screen with coworkers or give presentations at work. Additionally, I anticipate the monitor being used as a separate conference room display or as a kiosk. Regretfully, the monitor’s adaptability necessitates sacrificing image quality and connectivity. For a 27-inch 1440p display, the MSRP of $449 is likewise excessive. But there aren’t many alternatives for the MB27ACF, and the ones that are (such as the LG StandbyMe) are even more costly. As a result, the MB27ACF is the best in its field.
