By Laptops are available in almost every size and shape. Still, there is a reasonable upper bound on screen size. which is the function of the top portable monitors.
One example of a portable screen on the larger side is the recently released Asus Zenscreen MB249C. It is far larger than any laptop display at 24 inches. However, you have the option of something bigger while on the go with this portable monitor—at least in theory. This is not something you are going to fit into your shoulder bag at 24 inches and 2.8 kilograms. Its built-in speakers, kickstand, and USB-C port, which delivers 60W of power, allow you to forego using your laptop charger and bring this screen instead.
Laptops are available in almost every size and shape. Still, there is a reasonable upper bound on screen size. which is the function of the top portable monitors.
One example of a portable screen on the larger side is the recently released Asus Zenscreen MB249C. It is far larger than any laptop display at 24 inches. However, you have the option of something bigger while on the go with this portable monitor—at least in theory. This is not something you are going to fit into your shoulder bag at 24 inches and 2.8 kilograms. Its built-in speakers, kickstand, and USB-C port, which delivers 60W of power, allow you to forego using your laptop charger and bring this screen instead.
Laptops are available in almost every size and shape. Still, there is a reasonable upper bound on screen size. which is the function of the top portable monitors.
The Asus Zenscreen MB249C also comes with a C-clamp stand that provides a more permanent desk setup but also sports a quick-release mechanism, plus a frame kit that allows the screen to be hung from the top of office partitions. A little niche, perhaps, but this monitor certainly gives you lots of install options.
If there is a catch it’s that it’s limited to 1080p resolution and 75Hz refresh. Given the panel size, that’s perhaps not a huge surprise. But a higher resolution would have been an interesting way of achieving a premium computing experience on the move. As it is, the pixel density is very low, albeit the panel sports IPS technology, which bodes well for other aspects of image quality.
DESIGN & FEATURES
The 24-inch panel on the Asus Zenscreen MB249C is a godsend and a hindrance. The advantage is that it has a much larger screen than any laptop. The fact that it is not genuinely very portable is a drawback.
The total unit, measuring 53.93 by 34.63 by 2.36 centimeters, is fairly compact because of the integrated kickstand. Additionally, the panel’s proportions are maintained by the thin bezels on three of its sides. However, when compared to a standard monitor without a clip-in stand, it is not that much smaller. While it is not precisely ultra-light at 2.8kg, it is undoubtedly lighter than the majority of traditional monitors of the same size.
However, state it this way. Although there are not many situations in which you would want to carry this monitor around, for those who do, this display is comparatively well-designed.
The USB-C input can give 60W of power, and the back kickstand also serves as a carry handle. Thus, you may use the MB249C to power your laptop instead of carrying your charger. Additionally, there is an HDMI input, so connecting to the majority of device types should not be an issue.
To attach the screen to a desk, a C-clamp arm with a pivot arm is provided in the package, providing additional choices for semi-permanent and permanent installation. It may be adjusted for up to 144mm of extension in addition to tilt, swivel, and rotation into portrait position.
Thus, you could use that as your regular configuration, and while you are on the go, you could use the kickstand to remove the screen from the quick-release connection. Additionally, it has an adjustable height of 150mm and a frame that enables it to be suspended from the top of office partition walls.
PERFORMANCE
The features and functionality of this display would have been considered ordinary a few years ago. Everything seems a little out of date now in 2024.
A perfectly good 24-inch panel would have been powered by the Asus Zenscreen MB249C. Because of its IPS technology, the viewing angles and colors are quite precise. In terms of brightness, it surpasses the low standards set by the relatively low 250-nit specification and is fairly bright.
However, there is no support for HDR, and the maximum refresh rate is 75Hz. Although adaptive refresh is supported, the 5 ms response time and low refresh rate are hardly ideal for gaming. Of course, that is acceptable for a lot of productivity apps, but by today’s standards, it is also fairly low spec.
The low pixel density is a bigger issue. On a 24-inch panel, the native resolution of 1,920 by 1,080 results in somewhat large, blocky pixels. This results in fonts and icons that seem quite rough and lack visual detail overall. It also implies that the amount of available desktop space is the same as that of most laptops. Depending on how your scaling is configured, you may even have less.
Furthermore, if this monitor had a resolution of at least 2,560 by 1,600, it would look much nicer. You could choose to have more workspace in addition to clearer, crisper fonts. As it stands, the whole thing seems a little archaic and low-class. To put up with it, you would have to truly desire the portability element.
The built-in speakers are dreadful; they have a narrow, scratchy tone and very little volume control. The speakers of even a low-cost laptop can rival or surpass those of a MacBook Air, while the audio quality of a MacBook Pro is simply unmatched. The speakers are pretty much worthless, therefore it would have been wiser to omit them.
VERDICT
This monitor is not all that bad. Its IPS panel produces images with respectable quality and is calibrated nicely. However, the viewing experience is antiquated due to the low pixel density and rough-looking typography. Additionally, it implies that you will not have much desktop workspace, which negates the purpose of carrying around a non-portable computer in the first place—namely, to provide you with additional room. Additionally, the speakers’ audio quality is appalling.
Some pleasant features are present. The pivot arm on the C-clamp is a useful addition. You also will not need to carry the power source for your laptop with you thanks to the USB-C’s 60W power delivery capability.
But all in all, the Asus Zenscreen MB249C’s low pixel density and restricted portability seriously undermine its allure and usefulness. Simply said, outside of a very small number of specialized use cases, this product is not useful.
