By I do not know about you, but I always like having a touchscreen on my computer. Even if I do not reach up and touch the monitor all the time, there are times when it is a convenient substitute for the mouse. By providing a portable touchscreen display that works with both MacOS and Windows, the ViewSonic TD1656-2K attempts to fulfill that need.
Specs and features
The ViewSonic TD1656-2K’s display panel specifications aren’t unusual for a 16-inch portable monitor. It has a 16:10 aspect ratio, a native resolution of 2560×1600, and an IPS LCD panel with a refresh rate of 60Hz. There’s no adaptive sync and HDR is not supported.
- 16-inch 16:10 widescreen display
- Resolution in native: 2560 x 1600
- Type of panel: IPS LCD 8-bit
- 60 Hz is the refresh rate.
- No adaptive sync
- HDR: Not
- Ports: 2x USB-C, up to 65 watts, DisplayPort Alternate Mode VESA mount power delivery: no
- Two 2-watt speakers are used.
- Cost: $349.99 MSRP
However, if you look closely, the purpose of the display becomes clear. You can use the passive stylus that comes with the package or your fingertips to control its capacitive 10-point multi-touch screen. Additionally, the monitor features two USB-C connections that can deliver up to 65W of power in both directions and support video input. Both Mac and Windows 11 are listed as supported by the TD1656-2K. I used it primarily with a PC laptop, but I also used it with a Mac Mini to make sure the touchscreen worked, which it did.
Design
The design of the ViewSonic TD1656-2K is recognizable from the front, including a somewhat larger chin on the bottom and narrow bezels on three sides. There is a silver metal expanse around the rear. Although it appears professional, ViewSonic’s choice of silver is perhaps a tad too light to adhere to current fashions (black and gunmetal hues seem to be popular right now).
The monitor comes with a cover and display stand coated in fabric. Like the display itself, it has a polished yet untrendy appearance. This cover is semi-rigid and offers good protection against moderate falls or scrapes. However, because it does not completely enclose the monitor, items may still be able to push themselves between the case and the screen.
When it is time to use the monitor, you will need to magnetically fasten the monitor to the display stand and fold it into the correct position. At first, it was a little unclear to me how the display should fold, and the handbook did not explain anything. But as I got used to it, I found the stand to be rather useful. It may be utilized in portrait orientation, which is uncommon for any portable monitor stand, and supports a variety of viewing angles, from almost upright to greatly reclining.
Connectivity
Two multipurpose USB-C ports are essential to the ViewSonic TD1656-2K. Both can be used to connect a PC to a portable monitor because they both support DisplayPort. Additionally, the USB-C connections can deliver up to 65 watts of power in both ways. Since most only allow Power Delivery to power the monitor itself, this is a rare capability for a portable monitor.
It creates a few new possibilities for connections. For example, while utilizing the TD1656-2K with a laptop, you can plug the monitor into USB-C power and then plug the laptop into the monitor to charge it while the laptop is displaying video. Many portable monitors have limited power delivery, making that impossible.
Features
Naturally, the primary feature of the ViewSonic TD1656-2K is touch. Its sleek, glossy surface is built over a 10-point capacitive touchscreen. There were no problems with missing or incorrect inputs, and the touchscreen felt responsive. With multi-touch motions, such as Windows’ five-finger squeeze to shut all apps, I found the touchscreen to be helpful. A passive stylus is also included with the monitor. The stubby stylus has a curved tip with plastic protection to keep it from harming the surface of the display. Nevertheless, I found it to be comfortable to use and hold. It is lightweight and never has to be charged because it does not require power.
The touchscreen is not ideal for creative work, even though it functions well in everyday situations. Although there is a considerable lag in touch input, the passive stylus felt comfortable in my hand. It is not immediately apparent while navigating apps with your fingertips using touch, but it is evident when drawing in programs like Affinity Photo, Photoshop, Paint, and others with the stylus. Additionally, there are no buttons or additional functions. All it is is a basic, passive stylus.
ViewSonic TD1656-2K 16 Inch WQXGA 1600p IPS Touchscreen Portable Monitor with 2 Way Powered 65W USB C
However, for people who are not as picky, the stylus works well. When a touchscreen is available, I like to utilize it for touch-ups on photos. For my sporadic editing requirements, the ViewSonic TD1656-2K seems like a suitable choice. But if you are a skilled or aspiring digital artist, the delay could be annoying. The power and volume controls on the right side of the display are used to control the on-screen menu. The controls are simple to use, but the lettering is small. However, a lack of options is also to blame for it. Users only can change the audio mode, brightness, contrast, and volume.
About music, the monitor features two 2-watt speakers that are more effective than others. The maximum volume is sufficient to fill a small office with sound, and the audio quality is crisp and largely distortion-free despite being modest. The speakers are a poor choice for entertainment because there is little bass, but they are good for listening to podcasts or relaxing music in the background. That is more than the majority of portable monitors can offer.
Performance
Although the ViewSonic TD1656-2K’s $349.99 MSRP is on the higher end of the portable monitor price range, the majority of the extra expense is attributed to the touchscreen and USB-C connectivity, which can deliver up to 65 watts of power. The actual display panel is a 16-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels and an aspect ratio of 16:10. Reaching a maximum brightness of 381 nits, ViewSonic is ready to go. It helps the display stay functional in a wide range of settings, including brightly lit rooms that cannot be turned off or dimmed (like, say, a corporate bullpen). That is far higher than usual for a portable monitor. However, because the display is glossy, glare may still be a problem.
Another advantage of the TD1656-2K is contrast, though this will vary depending on your viewpoint. The IPS display panel found in the majority of portable monitors is comparable. The measured contrast ratio of 1620:1 for the TD1656-2K is better than average and produces an appealing image when compared to such contemporaries.
On the other hand, OLED portable monitors are superior, as demonstrated by the ViewSonic VX1655-4K-OLED. In dark scenes, they offer a more realistic image with greater depth and shadow detail. But to be fair to the TD1656-2K, there are not many portable OLED touchscreens available, and the ones that do exist are highly priced (about $500).
Unfortunately, the color gamut is an issue with the TD1656-2K. It only provides 76% of DCI-P3 and 99 percent of sRGB. Only the Azorpa A1 Gamut, a low-cost portable monitor that frequently retails for less than $150, is more expensive than these modest numbers. Because of its limited color gamut, the TD1656-2K shows fewer colors overall, which makes it appear less seductive. It is more noticeable if you want to edit photographs or watch YouTube, but it is not an issue if you are in Excel or surfing Threads.
Performance
HDR is not supported on the ViewSonic TD1656-2K. While that might seem a bit disappointing, it’s for the best, as portable monitors have limitations that make them a bad fit for HDR. It mostly comes down to brightness. Higher brightness means higher power draw, which isn’t a great fit for a portable monitor’s use case.
Conclusion
A bright display, a responsive touchscreen, a decent stylus, and a semi-rigid fabric cover that can be used in both landscape and portrait configurations are all included when you purchase the TD1656-2K. Additionally, the monitor has two USB-C ports that can deliver up to 65 watts of power, giving you more options for how to connect it. However, the monitor’s motion performance is not suitable for gaming, and its color performance is disappointing. In the end, a corporate bullpen is a better place for the ViewSonic TD1656-2K portable touchscreen monitor than a home office or studio.
