By When you search for a portable monitor on Amazon, you may be inundated with options from unknown brands. That could point you in the direction of a somewhat more recognizable name, such as Viewsonic, which has been in the industry for many years. While there are benefits to going with a more well-known brand, such as greater USB-C connectivity and an intuitive menu system, the VA1655’s image quality isn’t particularly noteworthy.
Specs and Features
The Viewsonic VA1655 shares the same characteristics as dozens of other low-cost portable monitors. A 15.6-inch 1080p IPS-LCD screen with a 60Hz refresh rate is its feature.
- 15.6-inch display with a 16:9 aspect ratio
- 1920 x 1080 native resolution
- Type of panel: IPS LCD
- 60 Hz is the refresh rate.
- No adaptive sync
- HDR: Not
- Ports: 3.5mm audio-out, 2 USB-C, and 1 Mini-HDMI 1.4
- Audio: two speakers
- Extra features: Integrated stand, carrying case
- Cost: $109.99 MSRP
Two USB-C connections and one mini-HDMI port enable connectivity for the portable monitor. Notably, the USB-C ports can both charge and supply visual input to the display because they both handle 60 watts of power transfer. A carrying case is also included with the monitor.
Design
The Viewsonic VA1655 has a unique design for a portable, low-cost monitor. It incorporates the kickstand within the monitor itself rather than using a detachable carrying case.
Positively, this implies that the stand will be with you forever. Additionally, compared to rivals like the Innoview Portable Monitor, which depends on a kickstand enclosure, the stand offers a good range of tilt adjustment, up to about 45 degrees.
The monitor’s thickness is increased to 0.7 inches and its weight to 1.5 pounds due to the integrated kickstand. Compared to most competitors who employ a kickstand case, it is notably heavier and thicker.
ViewSonic VA1655 15.6 Inch 1080p FHD IPS Portable Monitor with Built-in Stand, 60W USB C, Mini HDMI, Protective Case and Speakers for PC, Mac, Gaming Consoles, Phones
Despite its portability, the Viewsonic VA1655’s design betrays its low cost. The display has some flex when handled, and the exterior is made of cheap-looking, rather hollow black plastic. However, this is typical of low-cost portable monitors, and the VA1655 seems more robust than most due to its thickness.
The portable monitor comes with a cushioned sleeve to offer some protection while the monitor is stowed because it lacks a carrying case with a kickstand. Although the sleeve functions adequately, it feels quite flimsy, much like the monitor itself.
Connectivity
Both USB-C connections can offer up to 60 watts of power. You don’t need an additional external power source for the display because that is more than plenty to power it. However, ViewSonic does not provide a USB power brick with the monitor, so you will need to purchase one separately or use one you already have.
Power pass-through is supported by the USB-C ports, so you can connect a USB-C power brick to the portable monitor and then use USB-C to connect the portable monitor to a laptop. The laptop will be charged as a result. One useful feature that is frequently absent from low-cost portable displays is power pass-through.
Regretfully, the monitor lacks a full-sized HDMI connector and instead has a mini-HDMI. That’s a minor letdown because mini-HDMI is far less popular, making cables and adapters that support it harder to locate. Nonetheless, the package comes with an appropriate cable.
Viewsonic VA1655 menus and features
With a joystick control coiled around the right-hand side of the display, the VA1655’s menu system is far simpler to use than most portable monitors. The majority of low-cost portable monitors awkwardly incorporate menu controls within the volume buttons.
Additionally, the monitor offers a respectable selection of image quality settings, such as bespoke color modes for RGB calibration and accurate gamma presets. The limited visual quality of the monitor limits the usefulness of these capabilities, although the VA1655 outperforms most of its rivals in this area as well.
Although speakers are included, their power ratings are less than one watt each. They have a limited maximum volume, and music with a lot of bass will instantly distort. They work well for listening to system alerts, but not much more.
Motion Performance
There is no HDR support for the Viewsonic VA1655. That may sound disheartening, but low-cost portable displays that make HDR claims are always false. The absence of HDR is advantageous in this regard. Viewsonic has no intention of defrauding its customers.
Motion performance is not very good. The monitor does not support Adaptive Sync, has a refresh rate of 60 Hz, and offers a 7 ms gray-to-gray pixel response time. As a result, 3D games will appear hazy in motion, at least when viewed on a gaming monitor with a refresh rate of 144 Hz or more.
However, at this price, a 60Hz refresh rate is common. A portable monitor with a refresh rate of 144 Hz, such as the Arzopa Z1FC (albeit it still lacks Adaptive Sync), will be beyond gamers’ means.
Conclusion
A respectable entry into the fiercely competitive portable monitor market is the Viewsonic VA1655. It boasts a built-in kickstand, USB-C charging with power pass-through, and a better menu system than the majority of low-cost options. However, the VA1655’s large size negates such benefits. The image quality of the monitor is very modest and comparable to its less costly counterparts.
